Andrew Abbott gets quality start, loss vs. Phillies

Abbott gave up a solo homer to Konnor Griffin in the first inning and fell victim to two more long balls in the sixth inning. He left the game with the score deadlocked at 4-4, putting a damper on what was otherwise a solid outing before his final inning of work. Abbott remains solid for the Reds and his fantasy managers, as he’s pitched a minimum of five innings in every start this season and has not allowed more than three earned runs in any outing. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday in Milwaukee.

Abbott racked up six strikeouts on the afternoon while issuing three walks. The lone tally against him came on a solo blast off the bat of Paul Goldschmidt in the opening inning. Abbott generated 11 swings and misses on 97 offerings on the day — five on his sweeper — while posting a CSW of 29 percent. He’ll look to replicate this fine performance as he totes a 3.83 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 64/39 K/BB ratio (84 2/3 innings) into Friday’s divisional showdown against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Abbott struck out five and allowed one homer. He’s now given up three earned runs or fewer in every start dating back to April 30. Abbott’s K-BB percentage is a career-low, and his 3.95 ERA is a career-high, albeit barely. The southpaw is used to pitching in a homer-happy home park, but his next outing lines up as a difficult one at Yankee Stadium.

Abbott took a 2-1 lead into the seventh, when he gave up back-to-back doubles to start the inning and was pulled. Tejay Antone came in and allowed the inherited runner to score before preventing further damage. Abbott, who has now allowed three runs while getting exactly 18 outs in three consecutive starts, fell to 4-4 with a 4.10 ERA. He’s doing solid work, but the Cincinnati offense hasn’t been good enough to make it pay off in victories. He’ll face the D-backs on Sunday.

Abbott gave up five hits, walked four and struck out five. He left the game trailing 3-1, but the Reds scored in the ninth inning to tie the game and get him off the hook for the loss. Abbott has a 4.06 ERA this year after posting a 2.87 ERA last year despite having a 4.31 xFIP. His xFIP this year is 4.87. Abbott doesn’t have the underlying skills to fall back on, making him a mediocre pitcher who’s difficult to trust in fantasy. He’s lined up to face the Padres on the road next week.

Abbott did well to attack the zone here and dare the Mets’ floundering lineup to hit him. They did though, to a certain extent. Both Juan Soto and Eric Wagaman socked solo home runs to account for Abbott’s only two earned runs and an untimely Elly De La Cruz error followed by Carson Benge run-scoring single brought home the unearned run. While those were the only runs, the Mets stung 10 total hard-hit balls and there were more than a few balls caught by Reds’ outfielders on the warning track. Nevertheless, that made it six straight starts by Abbott in which he’s allowed two or fewer runs. The underlying stuff still isn’t strong with a 42:27 strikeout to walk ratio over 62 2/3 innings so far this season. He’s scheduled to face the Royals at home next time out.

Abbott walked two to lead to an unearned run in the first. He then kept the Phillies quiet until Alec Bohm ended his day by homering with one out in the sixth. Abbott managed only three strikeouts, though he had 13 whiffs and a 29 percent CSW. His ERA is down to 3.97 after peaking at 6.59 ERA on Apr. 24. He’s allowed a total of four earned runs in 28 innings over his last five starts, four of which have produced victories. He’ll face the Mets next week.

Buried by most after exiting April with a 5.97 ERA, Abbott has fought hard in his last three outings, allowing just one earned run in the process, to cut his seasonal ERA back to 4.21. Is it still mostly smoke and mirrors? Oh yeah. He struck out just two Guardians today and got a whiff on just three of 35 swings, and his walk rate has spiked to 9.9 percent. Will we recommend him against the Phillies next week? Probably not. But is it fun that he’s back on whatever dark magic it takes for someone with this underlying profile to pitch like this? Undoubtedly.

The Reds will pay Paddack the major league minimum while the Marlins cover the rest of his $4 million salary. Paddack has a 7.63 ERA in six starts and one relief appearance this season after coming in at 5.35 in 158 innings for the Twins and Tigers last year. He should remain awful for the Reds, but at least he’s stretched out and ready to go, which is what they need with Hunter Greene, Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson all shelved. According to The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosencrans, Paddack will start Saturday against the Guardians, with Andrew Abbott moving up to Friday.

Abbott walked one and allowed three hits, dropping his ERA to 4.47 this season. The southpaw hasn’t defied his ERA estimators like he has historically despite generating more grounders in 2026. His next start lines up on the road in Cleveland.