Last night saw the Cincinnati Reds score a run in seven different innings as they picked up their fourth win in a row and moved over the .500 mark. The Guardians will look to try and find their first win over Cincinnati this season tonight as the two face off in game two of the 3-game series in Cleveland. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm ET.
Starting Lineups
Cincinnati Reds | Cleveland Guardians |
| TJ Friedl – CF | Steven Kwan – LF |
| Gavin Lux – DH | David Fry – DH |
| Elly De La Cruz – SS | Jose Ramirez – 3B |
| Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 3B | Carlos Santana – 1B |
| Tyler Stephenson – C | Gabriel Arias – SS |
| Will Benson – LF | Bo Naylor – C |
| Spencer Steer – 1B | Johnathan Rodriguez – RF |
| Jake Fraley – RF | Nolan Jones – CF |
| Matt McLain – 2B | Angel Martinez – 2B |
| Andrew Abbott – LHP | Slade Cecconi – RHP |
Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher | IP | ERA | WHIP | BB | K |
| Andrew Abbott | 53.2 | 2.18 | 1.06 | 19 | 59 |
| Slade Cecconi | 20.1 | 4.87 | 1.43 | 7 | 20 |
| Links: Andrew Abbott’s Stats | Slade Cecconi’s Stats | |||||
Andrew Abbott
After an absolutely dominant start to the season where he allowed eight earned runs in his first nine starts, Andrew Abbott showed he was human the last time out. At home against Milwaukee he gave up five runs – including two homers – in 6.0 innings.
Neither right-handed hitters or left-handed hitters are hitting for average or getting on base against Abbott this season. Lefties also are hitting for no power at all. Righties aren’t hitting for much power, either, but they are hitting for more power than lefties are.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 162 | 29 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 43 | .199 | .278 | .342 |
| LHH | 52 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 16 | .191 | .255 | .277 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | Cutter | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 92.2 | 87.2 | 79.9 | 82.3 | 84.3 |
| Usage | 47% | 4% | 11% | 17% | 21% |
Slade Cecconi
He missed the first seven weeks of the season after suffering an oblique strain in spring training. After a short rehab stint in Triple-A he made his season debut on May 17th against the Reds and has made three more starts since then, having some mixed results. He’s given up a home run in all four of his starts – six total in 20.1 innings.
It’s a pretty small sample size this season, but both lefties and righties have hit well against Cecconi this year. Left-handed hitters have hit a bit better as they’ve had a higher average and more power than right-handed hitters.
Splits
| Split | PA | H | 2B | 3B | HR | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| RHH | 48 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 10 | .256 | .333 | .512 |
| LHH | 41 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | .289 | .341 | .605 |
Pitch Usage
| 4-seam | 2-seam | Curve | Slider | Change | |
| Velo | 94.7 | 83.0 | 75.7 | 94.4 | 83.4 |
| Usage | 39% | 9% | 15% | 29% | 8% |
When and Where
- Game time: 6:40pm ET
- Where: Progressive Field
- Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio, MLB.tv
- Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
- Forecast: 72°, partly cloudy, 5% chance of rain
News and Notes
Joe La Sorsa called up, Brent Suter to the bereavement list
In unfortunate news, Brent Suter was placed on the bereavement list this afternoon. The Reds called up Joe La Sorsa from Triple-A to fill out the bullpen in Suter’s absence. We wrote a bit about La Sorsa earlier today when the move was announced.
TJ Friedl isn’t quite a unicorn, but he’s close
The Reds center fielder is having himself a good season in 2025. He’s hitting .295/.384/.432 on the season and has 2.0 WAR (Fangraphs version) to this point. Over at Fangraphs this morning Michael Baumann wrote about Friedl and how his skillset makes him a bit rare in today’s game.
Austin Hays trade value is up
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com wrote about several players who have improved their trade value with their play so far this year. The list includes Austin Hays, even while noting that he’s already made three trips to the injured list.
Division Standings
| Team | W | L | GB | Playoff Odds |
| Chicago | 40 | 26 | 0.0 | 84.6% |
| St. Louis | 36 | 30 | 4.0 | 39.3% |
| Milwaukee | 35 | 32 | 5.5 | 24.9% |
| Cincinnati | 34 | 33 | 6.5 | 9.2% |
| Pittsburgh | 27 | 40 | 13.5 | 0.6% |
| Playoff Odds via Fangraphs | ||||
Ok Reds, time to get 5 wins in a row. Every game against Cleveland is dedicated to getting Tito a win against his former team.
Looking for Abbott to bounce back well tonight. Hoping the boyz keep on hitting.
Let’s Jump the Guardrails again tonight!!
Almost time to Kick This Pig!!
For Melvin – soup and a grilled cheese sammie 😀
Sounds good. 🙂
I think fangraphs had projected Friedl at 2.0 WAR for the season. I’m shocked that they are wrong. He has 3 1/2 months to add to it.
For those of you who weren’t paying attention, there were a couple of minor miracles in MLB yesterday! First, a 39-year-old pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery (Miley) pitched 5 gutsy innings and enabled his team (Reds) to win a game on the road against a good AL team. Secondly, ALL three teams (Brewers, Cards & Cubs) ahead of the Reds in the NL Central Division LOST! Amazing stuff!
Let’s keep it going tonight and not rest on our laurels (winning the Ohio Cup) and support Abbott with a bunch of runs!
Neither was a miracle. Miley is a veteran SP. Other teams lose games sometimes.
I hope Reds will continue to have no mercy with this Guardians team. They have to reach Detroit in a great momentum, this week is becoming key to have chance to contend heading the next tough games…
The Brewers are 1 game ahead of the Reds, but somehow their playoff odds are nearly triple the Reds chances. I know, strength of schedule, past history, blah blah blah. I say they’re wrong and put the Reds at a 20% chance and climbing. Go Reds!
Fangraphs never gives the Reds any good odds.
Can you really blame them! LOL
During last night’s game there were several comments on the quality of the HP umpiring! I agree that there were some questionable calls! In particular, Pagan walked the first batter he faced (Naylor) in bottom of the 9th! I carefully reviewed those four straight pitches called balls by the HP umpire! Honestly, 3 of the 4 pitches by Pagan were strikes, close but strikes! Another argument in support of the Robo-ump behind home plate! Fortunately for the Reds, Pagan shook off the leadoff walk and closed out the win!
We never see tennis players arguing line calls anymore, do we? 🙂
+50,000
And the size of the court doesn’t flex constantly either.
Kwan nearly misplayed that one
108 mph off the bat of Elly…but finds the glove of Kwan.
Cecconi cruises these 2 innings on just 18 pitches. Not good…
Reds really in a hurry and go down on 7 pitches.CES really took a good pitch to hit then chased twice
Ugly chases at that.
Got him … after the umpire missed TWO on the upper outside corner.
Challenge system, please …
Abbott deserves to be signed to a longer term contract. Should be able to get a very reasonable deal for both sides at this point. Get it done front office.
Reds not even making contact so far.Pitcher is dominating us.
Brutal at bats mostly so far.
Per the Cleveland booth.
Cecconi has allowed hitters to hit 3-34 in the 1st 2 innings of the game.
They said he struggles in innings 3-5.
We’ll see, but he is painting so far tonight.
Second time we ought to try and put the ball in play.Five out of nine outs were strikeouts and I don’t think anybody in that inning even made contact.No where to go but try again.
Abbott getting by with a little help from his friends
Looks like we are back in the strikeout mode! 5 Ks thru the first 3 innings!
Nice at bats by Lux and Elly. That’s encouraging. Now let’s score.
Second time is better so far.
Shucks, CES.
CES has 2 ks on 6 pitches…Looks very unconfortable
FRUSTRATING!!!!!
First nice chance to score wasted
Can’t leave guys at 2nd and 3rd.
Simply HAVE to put the ball in play with a runner at 3rd and less than 2 outs!
This team will never compete with all these strike outs.
CES fouled two pitches he should have hit and Ty Steve for some reason never even swung at all.Don’t get that all especially not swinging at a pitch.
The one strike was ball not even close to the zone.
TS needs to be more aggressive with 2 strikes. It seems like he is always watching strike 3, he’s too passive.
Your right but he swung at the first pitch his first at bat and grounded out.Just seems he may be overthinking at times but not to swing at all is well just bad.No chance when we punch out but to do it and not swing is again just bad.
It feels like he’s more passive with 2 strikes. They used to call it protecting the plate with 2 strikes, the little things that were emphasized in the old days.
Great catch TJ. He’s such a gamer.
Now 8 SOs thru 4 innings! Good Grief!!!!
The SP for CLE is very good. Very fast. That combination creates strikeouts.
Great at bat Benson.
Good start by Benson.Can we get him over and in?
Will B
9-17 vs Cleveland
Way to go Steer, huge!
That’s getting it done.
Steer with the ribeye. They need to IL him. Lol
That’s the oppo stroke I love from Steer.
I love the Oppo from all of them.
+5000
Great job by Steer looking to go the other way to get Benson over and he does even better he gets him in.
McLain with a timely bunt here?
Nice AB from Jake. Keep the line moving.
Got to get em over Little Mac.
Reds Swing percentage 45.3 Lowest in MLB
Chase percentage 25.8 – 2nd lowest
1st pitch percentage 29.2 – 4th lowest
Very heads up from Steer.
Fraley has to be on 2nd. There was nobody there.
A rare bad bunt by TJ….amplified by a great diving catch by Santana.
So far, not getting it done with one out and a runner on third. At least we got Benson in.
Cecconi got robbed a few times that inning.
Calls were TERRIBLE.
Yep.
Reds always find the way to strand runners on 3rd and less than two outs
Just got to keep the pressure on.GO REDS
That can’t happen as frequently as it has. Inexcusable.
Wrong reply. Have to score runs.
Happy Abbott has looked solid so far.
Happy the Reds finally scored a run BUT that’s 2 runners left on 3rd with less than two outs! Four LOBs in 5 innings, 3 in scoring position! In a low-scoring close game, every run matters! On a positive note, did run the pitch count on the Cleveland SP!
The other team also has major league talent. SP especially. Defense, too.
CES with a cannon there.
Rock on, Abbott. Now, let’s help him out.
Has anybody already mentioned this in the game comments, but this is the first time I’ve noticed that I’m no longer feeling hypnotized between innings by FanDuel?
What’s with our hitters tonight? Ten SOs thru only 6 innings! Two of those happened in easy RBI opportunities!
Strong starter for Cleveland?
Abbott bringing it! 70 pitches through 6.
Would love to see Abbott be a Red for many, many years.
He’s fun to watch. Looks so effortless on his part and he’s just a professional.
Brutal at bats by CES.. Swing at every slider in the dirt or at his ankles and then they move further outside and bounce it….and he swings more.
Why would any pitcher throw him a strike or a hittable pitch?
Yes and its up to him to fix it.The story for him is to swing at strikes and if he doesn’t well it is what it is.
Tribe or Guardians got the starter out after 5.Smart move on their part.
It seems everything depends on Abbott and the bullpen if he doesn’t pitch a complete game
Abbott a torch tonight!
What did we just see??? 😮
Saved at least a triple.
That was a GREAT catch by Fraley.
Fraley with an incredible catch!!!
Play of the year x for friedl
WOW Jake Fraley. Phenomenal.
Jake Fraley having him a series.
OMG…Jake goes full superman mode on that catch!!
And a backhanded grab at that.
Abbott got a LOT of help from his friends
Reds need more runs!
Man, that might be Top 5 all-time.
One run leads make me nervous! Can we score some more runs PLEASE!
If the Reds want to get back in playoff mix, they need this game… Its winnable, left some opportunities but pitching has been good. Someone needs to step up and score some runs and create an official winning streak. 5 games qualifies as a streak!
5-10 in 1 run games isn’t going to cut it. Have to be better with RISP.
Willie Mays Fraley
Got to figure somebody’s gonna get tossed over that zone.
This umpire is horrible and Im a reds fan. Balls and strikes have benefitted the Reds.
Me too Dennis but regardless this has been a great game.Well pitched and well defended on both sides.Hitters have been well just bad but it happens sometimes.
Man this ump is screwing the Cleveland pitchers. I’ll take it.
Stupid throw and TJ saw it all the way.
That catch by Fraley might be one of the best I’ve ever seen. Will definitely make the sports highlights. I was kind of shocked when he caught it.
I didn’t think he had a chance.
That was amazing!
It was like an optical illusion.
Friedl 2 k’s and a bad bunt…but gets a huge hit. Play add on here and take this series!
I needed a hit from Ramirez to win my bet and Fraley takes it away. I’ll take the loss for a Reds win.
Great throw by Jones. Tip the cap.
No way …just incredible! Reds can’t score either… That’s not good …
Took a really good throw. I’m not opposed to trying.
Gotta be one of the worst teams in baseball with runner at third and less than 2 outs …. Just awful … great throw but job should have been done by Lux … can’t take that pitch
Can’t disagree.
And that ole’ throw from Elly hurts.
How can you NOT score a run with runners at 2nd & 3rd and NO OUTS?
Rough 8th.
Espinal in at 3b for CES
Elly sloppy
Come on Elly…wow
Let’s hope that one doesn’t come back to haunt.
I’m tempted to start my campaign for EDLC in CF.
11 errors Elly, ouch…
Astounding stat for a player hailed as Reds savior. His head is just not screwed in straight most of the time. We can only hope it will get straightened out soon.
Maybe they should brought in Espinal to play SS for Elly instead of 3b for CES?
CES is looking good at 3B. I don’t know that I would sub in for him knowing he’s my #4 hitter. I’ll give Tito the benefit of the doubt.
And now the wheels start to fall off with another inexplicable error by ELDC!
Reds won 1-0. Guess the wheels fell back on.
Jake’s catch was amazing.
But probably takes 2nd place to the catch by the A’s CF’er last night.
Yeah I’ve watched that a few times today
Saw that one earlier. Freaking amazing.
It was awesome too for sure. I’m not sure which one was harder.
Excellent pitching from Abbott. What a fantastic outing.
Abbott says I got ya Elly
Andrew Abbott outing of the year. 8 shutout innings. Great job.
Let’s hope Tito has a word with the SS.
Abbott against everything.. He’s been masterful today tossing a gem. Is he done? Pagán goes to finish it?
He looks like he is still in the game as nobody was congratulating him.
Who had Abbott as our most effective starter for the first third of the season? He’s been dynamite tonight!
He’s been my favorite. Just like his pitching and his moxie on the mound.
Solid 8th after the absent-minded throw. Defense helps AA out again.
Abbott has been brilliant tonight! The Reds offense not so much, especially the abhorrent ABs with RISPs.
Abbott at 90 pitches. Do we run him out for the ninth? I would!!!
Abbott with just a masterful performance.I don’t know if he goes back out there but Tito really has to be tempted if he has anything left.Starting what you finish don’t happen much any more with the eye on pitch count.
We’re into the 9th, with the Reds up 1-0 … Junis on the mound for the G’s.
The leather flashed in this game has been tremendous….both teams
Reds left some opportunities out there but what a ball game.
1-0 in 2 hours with 3 outs to go. Tito will give Abbott a shot I believe.
Everybody on the field, knuckle down and get 3 outs.
Everybody on this site, hold your breath, cross your fingers, and hold on to your BUTTS!!!
Anyone has stat on which team has most double play? I bet the Reds must be one of the top of not the top team.
Ty Steve with a hit and the a DP and well here we go.What a game and well what a game.We have more then our share of 1-0 games time we win one.
He’s giving Abbott a shot for a complete game !
It came down to one pitch on a 3-2 count… And the Reds came away with a DP !
This Reds team is simply its own worst enemy with runners on base tonight! If it’s not a SO with a runner at 3rd it’s a GIDP!
Abbott heading to the 9th. Last Reds pitcher to throw a complete game? Tyler Mahle in 2022.
Get him! It was a nice gesture, but get him.
MAJOR BIKE HELMETS!!!!
Elly-McLain-Steer
Great DP!
Wow. BIG DP if it holds.
What a double play.. McLain great turn
OTOH … 🙂
For a team looking to win their 5th game in a row, you would never know it by the comments. I thought I was the only one.
Great play by Elly on the dp.
The comments here are comical every night.
Had to figure Manny was going to figure out a way to extend his streak.
Wrong Ramirez 🙂
Sorry – you are correct.
what a pitching performance!
Phenomenal outing by Abbott. What a gem.
Extend that guy. He’s been our ace.
Agreed. He would be an affordable extension as well.
What a game!
Holy Crap
Whew! I thought that was gone. lol
Me Too!!
Heck of a performance Abbott ! Nice job !
3-hit shutout … finally a 1-0 victory and his first every complete game.
That will do, pig … that will most definitely do!!!
Thats a winning streak folks!
There! A CG SHO! Amazing!
Say what you want about Greene, but what I saw tonight was the ACE of this 2025 Reds team!
It’s okay to have TWO ACES. 🙂
Why stop at 2? I personally like 4 such as the 1970s Baltimore Orioles or the 1990s Atlanta Braves!
How ever many you want big guy. 🙂
And this one belongs to the Reds!
What a game by Andrew Abbott! Maybe the best pitching performance of the year for the Reds. Complete game shutout, wins 1 -0.
Panicked on that last out, thought it was gone.
Nice job by Abbott.
Abbott did a monster effort to complete the game… Wow what an outing…his best in the big leagues… REDS win! secured the series , second in a row
So Ramirez then singles, and Abbott has to face Santana with the game on the line… And gets it done ! Too much for me to handle … REDS WIN 1-0 and take game 2 of the series.
AA with Annie … his first thought is for the defense that backed him.
When was the last time the Reds had a 5-game winning streak? And when was the last time a Reds starter had a 1-0 complete game win?
We had a 5 game streak with three wins against the Guardians in the middle of that streak, but played poorly against the White Sox and the Pirates both before and after.
Tom Browning had a no-hitter in 1988, which the Reds won by one run, but not sure if there was one closer to this or not.
Reds won 1-0 April 8th but not complete game by Lodolo. Complete games are very rare now.
Last week of April 2025. Reds won 5 in a row.
No words to describe what AA just did and Tito said go get em and he did.Regardless of what happens going forward Francona just won me over.Every Reds player and every fan has to admire what we just saw by manager and player.
He called CES back to the dugout and kissed his bat before one of his ABs….although it didn’t work that time. 😉
Standing ovation.
Don’t want to jinx Abbott but shouldn’t he be in the NL Cy Young conversations?
He should be, but he has to overcome guys like Wheeler and Sale first.
Sale is 4-4 with a Braves team that is under 500. Wheeler ERA is in the 2.8 range. Right now they are not his competition. But AA needs an All Star appearance to help his case. Right now him and TJ should be the Reds All Stars.
He should be on the All Star team
Definitely!
It’s Skenes to lose, but a lot of season left.
Skenes currently with a 4-6 W-L record has a lot of competition! Ray with SF is 8-1 and Gray with St. Louis is 7-1.
I think if it comes down to Skenes or Wheeler at the end of the season, Wheeler wins it. Especially if Wheeler is on a team that makes the playoffs. I know it technically shouldn’t matter (your teams w/l record) but it seems to matter to voters. Plus if you compare Skenes and Wheelers stats, they are close. The whip and the K’s are pretty much on par with each other. I personally would like to see Skenes win it as he’s on a small market team like our Reds. I also don’t think Skenes is going to last very long before his arm explodes.
@Dennis I totaly forgot about Ray. Plus I try to keep the Dirty Birds and traitors out of my mind. Just kidding.
Not with a sub 500 won loss record and on a team in last place.
This seems huge. We shall see.
Awesome baseball game and the good guys get a win in a 1-0 game. Great game! Let’s get the sweep tomorrow.