GOOD NEWS: Cincinnati Reds’ Andrew Abbott makes All-Star pitch in dominant win over Cubs…….
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GOOD NEWS: Cincinnati Reds’ Andrew Abbott Makes All-Star Pitch in Dominant Win Over Cubs
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds got a much-needed lift Friday night as left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott delivered one of the most commanding performances of his young MLB career. In a key divisional matchup against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park, Abbott shut down the Cubs’ lineup over seven dazzling innings, powering the Reds to a 5–1 victory and strengthening his case for a spot on the National League All-Star team.
Abbott’s performance wasn’t just impressive — it was dominant. The 25-year-old lefty allowed just three hits, one walk, and struck out eight, continuing a strong sophomore campaign that has quietly put him among the league’s most consistent starters.
“Tonight was one of those nights where everything just clicked,” Abbott said after the game. “I felt good in warmups, the fastball had life, and the off-speed stuff was sharp. Most importantly, we got the win.”
Carving Up the Cubs
From the first inning, it was clear Abbott had his full arsenal working. He mixed his low-90s fastball with a sweeping curveball and a tight changeup, keeping Cubs hitters off balance and inducing weak contact throughout the night. His command was precise, and his confidence evident.
Chicago’s lineup, which had found success in recent weeks, couldn’t solve Abbott’s rhythm. Only Ian Happ managed a hard-hit ball in the early innings, and even then, it resulted in a routine fly out. It wasn’t until the sixth inning that the Cubs mounted a semblance of a threat, putting two runners on base. But Abbott calmly struck out Dansby Swanson with a high fastball to end the inning, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
“He was outstanding,” Reds manager David Bell said postgame. “Every pitch had purpose. He stayed ahead in counts, and when he needed a big pitch, he executed. That’s what front-line starters do.”
A Case for the Midsummer Classic
With the All-Star Game approaching in July, Abbott is making a strong argument to earn a spot on the National League roster. After Friday’s win, he improved to 6–3 on the season with a 3.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 74 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched. Those numbers place him in the top 15 among NL starters in several major categories.
While the Reds have been inconsistent as a team this season, Abbott has been a bright spot, offering stability every fifth day in the rotation. His growth since debuting in 2023 has been notable, and he’s proving that last year’s flashes of brilliance were no fluke.
“He’s been everything we hoped for and more,” said Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, who worked behind the plate Friday. “The way he prepares, the way he competes — it’s All-Star caliber. No doubt about it.”
Abbott’s rising profile has not gone unnoticed around the league. National analysts have begun to include his name in All-Star projections, and his dominant outing against a division rival on national television only strengthens his case.
Offensive Support and Timely Hitting
The Reds’ offense did its part to back Abbott’s gem. Cincinnati jumped on Cubs starter Justin Steele early, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Spencer Steer got the scoring started with an RBI double in the first, and Elly De La Cruz added a run-scoring single to give the Reds an early cushion.
The team added two more runs in the fifth inning, courtesy of back-to-back extra-base hits from Jake Fraley and Jonathan India. For a team that’s struggled with offensive consistency, Friday’s production was a welcome sight.
“It was great to get some early runs and let Abbott settle in,” Steer said. “When he’s locked in like that, we know a few runs might be all we need.”
Bullpen Closes the Door
After Abbott exited with 102 pitches through seven innings, the Reds bullpen took care of the final six outs. Lucas Sims and Alexis Díaz each pitched a scoreless inning, combining for three strikeouts and preserving the four-run lead with little drama.
The bullpen has been a concern for Cincinnati at times this season, but performances like this — following a dominant outing by the starter — show what this team is capable of when firing on all cylinders.
Reds Looking for Momentum
The victory pushes the Reds to 28–30 on the season, just two games under .500 and within striking distance in the tightly packed NL Central. With the Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals all hovering near the same mark, every series matters — and Friday’s win set the tone for a crucial weekend set.
“Anytime you beat a division rival, it matters a little more,” Bell said. “But more than that, it’s about how we’re playing. We’re seeing better at-bats, better defense, and the pitching has stepped up. We’re headed in the right direction.”
The Reds will look to build on this momentum as they send right-hander Hunter Greene to the mound for Saturday’s matchup. Greene, like Abbott, is seen as a cornerstone of the team’s young rotation and will look to keep the Cubs off balance and continue Cincinnati’s recent upswing.
Looking Ahead
While the season is still young, Andrew Abbott’s emergence as a reliable front-end starter is a major development for the Reds. If he continues on this trajectory, not only will he be making travel plans to the All-Star Game, but he could also become a key figure in the Reds’ push for playoff contention.
For now, though, he’s taking things one start at a time.
“I’m just trying to keep improving, keep competing, and do my job,” Abbott said. “If the All-Star talk comes, that’s great. But right now, it’s about winning games for this team.”
And on Friday night, that’s exactly what he did.
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