Greene, Abbott set to anchor Cincinnati’s postseason push
CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Cincinnati Reds enter October as a team no one expected to see in the playoff bracket. Guided by veteran manager Terry Francona, the Reds have clawed their way into the postseason and now face a defining test: whether a young, hard-throwing rotation can stand tall against October’s brightest lights.
Francona, in his first year at the helm, brought credibility to a clubhouse that often felt adrift in recent seasons. His voice carried weight. His message was clear. He expected to win. Players responded. The Reds hovered around .500 for much of the summer, but when the games grew urgent, Francona managed matchups with a steady hand and pushed his roster across the line. Now, Cincinnati is back in the playoffs, carrying a blend of youth, speed, and raw power into a short series that demands efficiency.
At the heart of the story is Hunter Greene. The 25-year-old right-hander enters October flashing the profile of a budding ace: triple-digit fastballs, a sharper slider than in years past, and the poise to handle pressure. His 2025 regular season featured a 2.76 ERA, 132 strikeouts, and a WHIP under 1.00 — elite numbers that underscored his growth. Greene spent stretches on the injured list but returned looking stronger, more efficient, and more capable of carrying Cincinnati in a must-win game.
Francona tabbed Greene for the opener of the Wild Card Series. It is the obvious move. In a best-of-three, momentum swings with the first pitch, and Greene has the tools to tilt the series. His challenge will be keeping the ball in the zone without allowing damage. October hitters do not miss mistakes, and Greene has occasionally been vulnerable when counts run deep. If he commands both the fastball and slider early, Cincinnati has a chance to seize control.
Behind Greene stands Andrew Abbott, a left-hander who has established himself as a top-of-the-rotation arm. Abbott’s deceptive fastball and sharp breaking ball have made him one of the most reliable starters in the National League. He doesn’t need overpowering velocity to dominate — he uses precision and intelligence to attack hitters in every quadrant of the strike zone. Abbott has already shown the ability to handle pressure and carry innings deep into games. In a short series, his presence gives Cincinnati more than just stability; it gives them a legitimate one-two punch with Greene.
Zack Littell rounds out the trio. Littell provides a veteran presence, someone capable of handling playoff pressure and keeping games close. He doesn’t overwhelm hitters, but he knows how to compete, and Francona trusts him to deliver quality innings if the series extends. Both Abbott and Littell will have short leashes, with the bullpen ready to cover innings if necessary.
That bullpen, an unsung backbone of the season, could prove decisive. Francona has multiple arms capable of bridging high-leverage innings, and he is unafraid to deploy starters in relief if the situation demands. October is about outs, not roles, and Cincinnati will ride the arms that deliver.
Offensively, the Reds are not the most imposing lineup, but they are opportunistic. They run, they grind at-bats, and they take advantage of mistakes. For Cincinnati to advance, the formula is simple: pitch well enough to keep games close, then manufacture runs when chances come.
The path ahead is daunting. The Dodgers stand as the first obstacle, a perennial contender with depth and experience. The Reds are the underdog in every sense. But October rewards teams that pitch, defend, and play without fear. Francona knows how to guide a roster through postseason turbulence, and Greene and Abbott give him two arms capable of matching up with anyone.
If the Reds pull off an upset, it will be because of their pitching. It will be because Greene threw like an ace, Abbott pitched like the top-of-the-rotation anchor he has become, Littell gave them a chance, and the bullpen held strong. It will be because Francona trusted his young core and they rewarded his faith.
The Reds are here. They are not favored. But with a Hall of Fame manager and two frontline arms setting the tone, Cincinnati steps into October with belief that this run can last longer than the oddsmakers expect.
Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 9:08 p.m. EDT at Dodger Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN. The Reds will start Hunter Greene, while the Dodgers counter with Blake Snell.
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