The Cincinnati Reds, fresh off of being eliminated in the 2011 season, have announced their 2012 schedule.

The Cincinnati Reds’ tentative 2012 schedule has been released by Major League Baseball. It is subject to change.

The 2012 campaign will begin with Opening Day on Friday, April 6 against the Miami Marlins at Great American Ball Park. After that 3-game series, the Reds will host the St. Louis Cardinals from Monday through Wednesday, April 9-11 to complete the first homestand of the season.

“The Reds already are working with the Findlay Market Parade organizers on Opening Day 2012,” said Reds Chief Operating Officer Phil Castellini. “No fans look forward to the start of baseball season more than ours.”

Other featured matchups at Great American Ball Park in 2012 include a pair of weekend series against the National League Central Division rival Cardinals (July 13-15, August 24-26), plus weekend battles with the Milwaukee Brewers (July 20-22), Chicago Cubs (August 17-19) and Los Angeles Dodgers (September 21-23).

Highlighting the Reds’ 15-game interleague schedule are home series against the Detroit Tigers (June 8-10), Cleveland Indians (June 12-14) and Minnesota Twins (June 22-24) and road visits to new Yankee Stadium (May 18-20) and Cleveland’s Progressive Field (June 18-20).

It sucks to already be thinking about next year. The full schedule is here.