Right-hander Zack Littell will face a tough task as he makes his Cincinnati Reds debut in Tuesday night’s game against the host Chicago Cubs.
A trade-deadline acquisition last week from the Tampa Bay Rays, Littell (8-8, 3.58 ERA) will start the middle contest of a three-game series against the team that rests atop the National League wild-card standings.
Littell will take the mound for a Reds team that has seen its bullpen taxed of late due to back-to-back games in which the starting pitcher did not make it past the second inning.
Rookie Chase Burns saw his start Saturday night scrapped after an inning due to heavy rain that postponed the conclusion of the Speedway Classic in Bristol, Tenn. Five relievers threw the remaining eight innings in a 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Monday starter Nick Lodolo left the series opener against the Cubs after just 1 2/3 innings after the left-hander developed a blister on his left index finger. Five relievers went the rest of the way for the Reds, who won 3-2 and sit three games behind the NL’s third and final wild-card berth.
Cincinnati manager Terry Francona told reporters Lodolo already was looking better in the locker room. However, because the pitcher previously has dealt with blister issues, Francona added the team likely would “err on the side of caution” with him.
Littell, 29, will make his first career start against the Cubs, although he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in six relief appearances. He has yielded just three hits, a walk and an unearned run while striking out seven over 5 2/3 innings.
Earlier in the day Monday, Francona told MLB Network Radio that trading for Littell helps the ballclub on two fronts. It also lets the Reds move starter Nick Martinez to the bullpen. Martinez threw 2 1/3 innings after Lodolo’s injury.
“Speaking kind of honestly, we thought the price for relievers was just going berserk,” Francona said. “And we thought, well, Nick Martinez is as good or better than any of these guys. So let’s just try to get a starter, and I think it’s going to help us.”
Chicago also had its starter go down early in Monday’s loss.
Right-hander Michael Soroka, acquired last week from Washington, left after two innings with discomfort in his pitching shoulder. After the game, Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters Soroka would go to the injured list.
Shota Imanaga (8-4, 3.25 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Tuesday. The left-hander won his only start against the Reds on June 9, 2024, allowing just two runs on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings in a 4-2 road victory.
The Reds have struggled against lefties this season. Their hitters are batting only .222 against them, the fourth-lowest average in the majors. Outfielder Austin Hays, however, is hitting .368 with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 57 at-bats against left-handers.
The Cubs hit the Reds well in the first two series of the season, sporting a .290 average (61-for-210) and 10 homers through the first six games, of which they won four. However, Chicago managed three hits, one off its season low, in Monday’s loss.
“We didn’t hit,” Counsell said. “It’s as simple as that. … Just not going to win many games with three hits.”
Pete Crow-Amstrong has hit .375 (9-for-24) against the Reds this season, with two homers and 10 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
