Reds starter Andrew Abbott talks his outing and catching Mets for playoff spot
Cincinnati Reds lefty Andrew Abbott pitched 4 2/3 scoreless in a 1-0 inning against the Cubs as the Reds caught the Mets in the NL playoff chase.
Reds manager Terry Francona says the team won’t manipulate the starting rotation despite having an off day Sept. 22Hunter Greene is scheduled to face Pirates ace Paul Skenes in game 2 of the series.Should the Reds make the postseason, Hunter Greene would be on his regular turn for Game 1 of the playoffs.
After considering a change to the starting rotation the final week that would have put Hunter Greene in line for a start the final game of the season, Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said he’s leaving the rotation in line, as is, the final six games.
That means Greene, the Reds’ Opening Day starter, pitches just once more, Sept. 24 against Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates until a possible Sept. 30 Game 1 playoff start that likely would be at Dodger Stadium.
Greene, a Los Angeles native who pitched a one-hit shutout to beat the Cubs in his last start, has made two career starts at Dodger Stadium, most recently on Aug. 25 in a 7-0 loss in which he pitched five innings and allowed three earned runs.
Because the Reds have Sept. 22 off, they had the opportunity to manipulate the rotation for the final two series as they tried to overtake the New York Mets for the National League’s final playoff spot.
“We’ll stay put,” Francona said Sunday morning with the Reds one game behind the Mets with seven to play.
Meaning just one more start for Greene.
“Hopefully, more than that,” Francona said.
Here’s the Reds rotation the final two series of the regular season:
Tuesday, Sept. 23 vs. Pirates: RH Brady Singer (14-10, 3.86) vs. RH Johan Oviedo (2-0, 3.52)Wednesday vs. Pirates: RH Hunter Greene (7-4, 2.74) vs. RH Paul Skenes (10-10, 2.03)Thursday vs. Pirates: LH Nick Lodolo (8-8, 3.44) vs. RHP Braxton Ashcraft (4-3, 2.62)Friday at Milwaukee: RH Zack Littell (10-8, 3.86) vs. TBASaturday at Milwaukee: LH Andrew Abbott vs. TBASunday at Milwaukee: Singer vs. TBA