Andrew Abbott took the loss Wednesday, May 28, as the Cincinnati Reds dropped a 4-2 decision to the New York Mets at Citi Field. The right‑hander, who had not been credited with a defeat since early April, surrendered three runs (two earned) over six innings, snapping a three‑game winning streak and giving the Mets a rare road win in the National League East.
Abbott entered the game with a 4‑2 record and a 2.20 ERA, having lowered his season ERA dramatically after a 6.59 start to the campaign. Over his last 34 innings he posted a 1.59 ERA and a 9.2 K/9 rate, striking out 35 batters while walking just four. Those numbers illustrate a pitcher who can dominate lineups, yet the loss dropped his season record to 4‑3 and placed the Reds’ rotation depth under a microscope as the summer schedule intensifies.
What does Abbott’s recent performance tell us about his role?
Abbott, a 25‑year‑old native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was the Reds’ first‑round pick in the 2022 draft. After a brief stint in the majors in 2024, he returned to Triple‑A Louisville in 2025 to refine his secondary pitches, most notably a cutter that now sits in the mid‑90s. Since returning to the big league club in April 2026, he has become the most reliable back‑end starter, posting a 1.78 WHIP across his last six starts after a rocky early‑season stretch. His ability to generate swing‑and‑miss pitches on the fastball‑cutter combination has forced opposing teams to lower their on‑base percentages against him to .215 in his last three outings.
The Reds’ front office, led by President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, values that durability. In a recent interview, Krall noted that Abbott’s “ability to go six-plus innings while keeping the hit‑by‑pitch count low is exactly what we need as we look toward the second half of the season.” This sentiment aligns with the team’s broader strategy of building a rotation anchored by a veteran ace (Hunter Greene) and two younger arms (Abbott and rookie right‑hander Ryan Linton) who can shoulder 180+ innings combined.
How did the Mets capitalize on Abbott’s early trouble?
New York’s offense, led by the league’s .355 on‑base percentage slugger Juan Soto, struck early. Soto launched a solo home run to left‑center in the bottom of the first inning, exploiting a 0‑2 count that Abbott threw after missing his first two fastballs. The Mets answered with a second‑inning solo blast from rookie outfielder Eric Wagaman, who drove a 94‑mph fastball over the right‑field fence, marking his first career homer.
Those two runs forced Abbott to work deeper into the game, but he settled quickly. He mixed a high‑efficiency cutter with a sinking two‑seam fastball, inducing weak contact that resulted in just one additional run in the sixth inning—a ground‑out that slipped between shortstop Elly De La Cruz and third‑base defender Nolan Jones. Abbott’s line of 98 pitches, nine strikeouts, and one walk reflects a strikeout‑to‑walk ratio of 9.0, matching his season average and underscoring his command despite early pressure.
Key Developments
- Abbott’s first loss came after a three‑game winning streak that included a shutout versus the Milwaukee Brewers on May 12, where he tossed seven scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts.
- Through his first six season starts, Abbott recorded a 0‑2 record with a 6.59 ERA before turning his performance around with a 0.98 ERA over the next four outings.
- The Mets’ win marked their first victory over the Reds this season, improving their record to 45‑38 and keeping them within two games of the NL East lead.
- Abbott threw 98 pitches, striking out nine batters while walking one, matching his season‑average strikeout‑to‑walk ratio of 9.0 and maintaining a ground‑ball rate of 48%.
- Cincinnati’s bullpen surrendered the final run in the eighth inning, highlighting lingering reliever reliability concerns; closer Nick Anderson entered with a two‑run lead but allowed a leadoff double and a sac fly that cut the margin to 4‑3.
- Defensively, the Reds turned a double play in the fifth inning that erased a Mets rally, but missed a routine ground ball in the seventh that extended New York’s inning.
Historical Context: Abbott vs. the Mets
Abbott’s career against the Mets is limited to three starts, all in 2026. He posted a 2.45 ERA in those outings, striking out 22 in 22 innings. The Mets, historically a tough matchup for Cincinnati pitchers, have posted a .560 winning percentage in games started by Abbott’s predecessors since 2015. The May 28 loss, however, broke a recent trend of Reds’ success at Citi Field, where they had gone 3‑2 in the last five visits.
Rotation Implications and Upcoming Schedule
The loss forces the Reds to confront a rotation conundrum. Greene, the presumed ace, is on a 150‑pitch limit and will pitch the next night, while Linton is scheduled for a spot start on June 1. If Abbott can rebound, he will cement his role as the third‑most dependable arm, a spot that historically correlates with a team’s ability to win 90+ games, as demonstrated by the 2015 Chicago Cubs and 2019 Washington Nationals.
Next up, Abbott is slated to start against the Chicago Cubs on May 31, a matchup that could test his ability to rebound from adversity. The Cubs, currently 40‑44, feature a young, contact‑oriented lineup that has struggled against high‑velocity cutters. Abbott’s cutter, which has a spin rate of 2,800 rpm, should be effective, and his recent strikeout trend suggests he can keep the Cubs’ hitters off balance.
Beyond the Cubs, Cincinnati embarks on a four‑game road stretch that includes a series in St. Louis against the Cardinals, whose middle‑of‑order power—led by Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt—will demand Abbott’s best command. The extended travel could disrupt his routine, but his recent durability (six consecutive starts of six or more innings) indicates he can adapt.
Coaching Strategies: How the Reds Are Using Abbott
Reds pitching coach Caleb Cotham has publicly emphasized that Abbott’s role is to pitch deep, allowing the bullpen to focus on high‑leverage situations. In a post‑game press conference, Cotham noted, “We want Andrew to get to at least 100 pitches when he’s comfortable, but we also watch his pitch count closely because his mechanics are still refining at the end of the game.” The coaching staff has also adjusted Abbott’s pitch sequencing, starting him with a fastball‑cutter combo for the first three innings, then introducing a changeup to keep hitters off balance.
On the defensive side, manager David Bell has opted for a defensive shift against left‑handed hitters when Abbott is on the mound, a strategy that has lowered opponents’ batting average on balls in play (BABIP) from .280 to .245 in his starts.
League Context: NL Central Tightening
The NL Central sits within two games of a .500 record as of May 28, with the Reds (38‑33) trailing the Chicago Cubs (39‑32) and the Milwaukee Brewers (40‑31). Abbott’s performance is now a pivot point; a win against the Cubs could push Cincinnati into a virtual tie for first place. Conversely, another loss could widen the gap and force the front office to consider trade options for additional depth, a scenario that has been discussed in recent Miles Miller columns.
Meanwhile, the Mets, who sit second in the NL East, are using Abbott’s loss as a reminder of the importance of bullpen depth. Their relievers, particularly closer Edwin Díaz, have been inconsistent, posting a 4.15 ERA over the past ten games. The Reds’ bullpen woes mirror this, prompting speculation that both clubs may explore trade market options before the July deadline.
Expert Analysis
Baseball analyst Tom Verducci (ESPN) highlighted Abbott’s recent surge, stating, “If Andrew can keep his WHIP under 1.20 and maintain a K/9 above nine, he’ll be one of the most valuable mid‑rotation arms in the NL.” Former Reds pitcher Brandon Phillips added on MLB.com, “He’s got the poise of a veteran despite being only in his third big‑league season. The key will be keeping his arm healthy through the grind of June and July.”
Statistical models from FanGraphs project Abbott to finish the season with a 3.40 ERA and 180 innings pitched if he continues his current trajectory, a performance that would rank him in the top 15 NL starters by ERA.
What’s next for Abbott and the Reds?
Abbott’s next start against the Cubs offers a chance to re‑establish his dominance. If he repeats his 9‑K performance while limiting runs to one or none, he could lower his season ERA back below 2.00 and provide the Reds with a reliable third starter as the playoff race tightens. The upcoming stretch also serves as a litmus test for the Reds’ bullpen; a solid performance by Abbott could mask reliever deficiencies, but continued struggles may force the front office to consider a mid‑season acquisition.
Mets starter Sean Manaea entered the May 28 game with a 3.85 ERA and struck out eight in six innings, giving New York a solid foothold early. Manaea’s performance underscores why the Mets’ rotation remains a driving force in the NL East race, per ESPN. If the Mets continue to pair veteran arms with timely hitting, they could press the Reds for a divisional edge later this month, according to MLB.com.
What was Andrew Abbott’s overall ERA before his first loss?
Before the May 28 game, Abbott posted a 6.59 ERA across his first six starts, a stark contrast to his 1.59 ERA over the subsequent 34 innings.
How many strikeouts did Abbott record in his career prior to the 2026 season?
Abbott entered the 2026 campaign with 112 career strikeouts, a figure that reflects his steady development since debuting in 2024 (public MLB data).
When does the Reds’ next road trip begin, and could it affect Abbott’s rhythm?
The Reds start a four‑game road stretch in Chicago on May 31, followed by games in St. Louis. Extended travel can disrupt a pitcher’s routine, but Abbott’s recent durability suggests he can adapt (schedule analysis).
