Photo (edited): Minda Haas Kuhlmann. License here.

Cincinnati Reds vs Los Angeles Angels – August 23, 2023 (Game 1)

08/23/2023

The Cincinnati Reds had to come from behind last night to pull out a victory over the Angels. Today they’ll wrap up the series with a doubleheader. The Reds can win the series by picking up a win in either of the two games. First pitch is set for 4:07pm ET.

Starting Lineups

Cincinnati Reds	Los Angeles Angels
TJ Friedl – CF	Luis Rengifo – 2B
Matt McLain – 2B	Shohei Ohtani – P
Elly De La Cruz – SS	Brandon Drury – 1B
Spencer Steer – 3B	Logan O’Hoppe – C
Joey Votto – DH	Randal Grichuk – LF
Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 1B	Eduardo Escobar – 3B
Nick Martini – RF	Hunter Renfroe – RF
Will Benson – LF	Mickey Moniak – CF
Luke Maile – C	Andrew Velazquez – SS
Andrew Abbott – LHP	Shohei Ohtani – RHP

Starting Pitchers

Pitcher	IP	ERA	WHIP	BB	K
Andrew Abbott	81.1	2.99	1.12	27	88
Shohei Ohtani	130.2	3.17	1.06	54	165
Links: Andrew Abbott’s Stats \| Shohei Ohtani’s Stats

Andrew Abbott

After a bit of a hiccup in two straight starts, Abbott has rebounded well, giving up just four runs in 10.2 innings without a walk and with 14 strikeouts in the last two outings – both Reds victories.

When it comes to splits it’s clear that teams try to avoid sending anyone but elite left-handers up to face Abbott. The lefties who do get the opportunity to face him haven’t been able to do a whole lot. They have one double, one home run, and one walk in 59 trips to the plate against him to go along with their seven singles. Right-handed hitters are doing much better, but they still aren’t doing all that well. They don’t hit for average or get on base, but right-handed hitters are hitting for solid power against him when they do happen to find hits.

Splits

Split	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
RHH	268	55	14	1	10	26	66	.231	.302	.424
LHH	59	9	1	0	1	1	22	.155	.170	.224

Pitch Usage

	4-Seam	Curve	Slider	Change
Velo	92.6	80.8	82.9	86.4
Usage	50%	17%	17%	16%

Shohei Ohtani

After dealing with a little bit of arm fatigue, Ohtani is making his first start in two weeks. While he had time off, his previous three starts saw him allow zero earned runs in 19.0 innings while giving up just seven hits.

The splits for Ohtani show that neither side hits well against him, but lefties do have an advantage. They hit for a higher average, make more contact, and the biggest thing is that they hit for a lot more power – though still not much power. Right-handed hitters walk more often, but they hit for a lower average and show little power.

Splits

Split	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG
RHH	274	40	7	0	7	31	90	.171	.292	.291
LHH	252	45	8	0	11	23	75	.200	.279	.382

Pitch Usage

	4-seam	2-seam	Cutter	Curve	Slider	Splitter
Velo	96.8	94.1	89.8	75.7	83.8	88.1
Usage	33%	7%	12%	4%	39%	5%

When and Where

Game time: 4:07pm ET
Where: Angels Stadium
Watch: Bally Sports Ohio, MLB.tv (out of market)
Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
Forecast: 86°, sunny, 5% chance of rain

News and Notes

Lyon Richardson is up for the doubleheader

The Reds are bringing up Richardson as the 27th man for the doubleheader today. The starting pitcher for game 2 is listed as TBA. But with Brett Kennedy scheduled to start on Friday it seems that Richardson will get the nod for game two today.

Graham Ashcraft sets a good and bad MLB record

The @Reds' Graham Ashcraft:

Last 10 starts: 2.35 ERA
Prev. 10: 10.00 ERA

Since ERA became official in 1913, no other MLB pitcher has had a 10.00+ ERA over a 10-start span in a season & then had a sub-2.50 ERA over any 10-start span later that same year (let alone back-to-back). pic.twitter.com/CSjI5HJdmZ

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 23, 2023