Littell allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three over three innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Friday.
Littell has two good starts and two shaky ones since he was traded from the Rays to the Reds. This fell in the latter category, as he gave up a three-run home run to Gabriel Moreno in a difficult third inning that ultimately made this a short start. Littell has given up 10 runs (nine earned) over 20.2 innings with Cincinnati, and he's at a 3.62 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 106:27 K:BB through 154 innings over 26 starts this season.
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Reds' Zack Littell: No-decision in quality start
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Littell did not factor into Saturday's decision against the Brewers, allowing one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three across six innings.
Littell faced the minimum number of batters in three of six innings and kept the Brewers in check outside of a Brice Turang RBI double in the second. Littell needed just 87 pitches (54 strikes) to make it through six innings, and he was in line for his 10th win of the season before the Brewers tied things up at 2-2 in the ninth frame. The 29-year-old right-hander has given up one earned run or less in three of his last four outings and has a 3.37 ERA and 1.21 WHIP across his six starts since the All-Star break. Littell is slated to make his next start on the road against the Diamondbacks next weekend.
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Reds' Zack Littell: Hit around in no-decision
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Littell did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 14-8 win over the Pirates, allowing four runs on nine hits and no walks with three strikeouts over 4.2 innings.
Littell opened with three scoreless innings before giving up four runs in the fourth and fifth. The 29-year-old threw 56 of 83 pitches for strikes but allowed 11 hard-hit balls and failed to complete five frames for just the second time this season. He'll take a 3.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 100:23 K:BB across 145 innings into a home matchup with the red-hot Brewers next weekend.
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Reds' Zack Littell: Dazzles with eight Ks in team debut
Rotowire
Littell (9-8) earned the win Tuesday against the Cubs, allowing one run on three hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out eight.
Littell shined in his Reds debut, fanning a season-high eight and delivering his second start of season with at least seven innings while surrendering one run or fewer. The 29-year-old right-hander generated 16 whiffs on the evening, and his streak of starts with at least five frames was also extended to 20 on Tuesday. There may be some concerns regarding his fantasy appeal when he needs to work at homer-friendly Great American Ball Park, as Littell has served up an MLB-high 27 home runs, but his next appearance is slated for this weekend in Pittsburgh. Through 140.1 innings, Littell has a 3.46 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 97:23 K.
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Reds' Zack Littell: Making team debut Tuesday
Rotowire
Littell is listed as the Reds' probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
After making his final start for the Rays this past Wednesday before being dealt to the Reds later that evening, Littell will be taking the hill on five days' rest for his Cincinnati debut. Right-hander Hunter Greene (groin) has already completed two rehab starts and could be activated from the injured list in the next week or two, but his return is unlikely to dislodge Littell from the rotation, given how well he had been pitching for the Rays this season. Over his 22 starts with Tampa Bay, Littell spun a 3.58 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 133.1 innings, though he had served up a MLB-high 26 home runs.
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Reds' Zack Littell: Dealt to Cincinnati
Rotowire
The Rays traded Littell to the Reds on Wednesday in exchange for Brian Van Belle and Adam Serwinowski, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Immediately after throwing five shutout innings against the Yankees on Wednesday, Littell will now pack his bags and head to Cincinnati. The 29-year-old owns a 3.58 ERA and 1.12 WHIP through 133.1 innings following his latest showing and will give the Reds' rotation a nice boost as the team pushes for a spot in the postseason.
Rays' Zack Littell: Tagged for five runs during loss
Rotowire
Littell (8-8) took the loss Friday against the Reds, allowing five runs on 10 hits over six innings. He struck out two and didn't issue a walk.
Littell was hurt by the long ball in Friday's loss, giving up a solo homer to Tyler Stephenson in the second inning and a two-run shot to TJ Friedl in the sixth. The five earned runs marked the 29-year-old's highest total allowed since April 10, snapping what had been a strong stretch. Entering the outing, Littell had posted a 2.43 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 22:6 K:BB across 29.2 innings in his last five outings. The right-hander will aim to return to that form in his next start, scheduled to be against the Yankees.
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Rays' Zack Littell: Opens second half with QS
Rotowire
Littell allowed two runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters over six innings in a no-decision against Baltimore on Saturday.
Littell fell behind early, allowing two runs in the first inning. He settled in from there, however, allowing just four more baserunners and zero runs over the remainder of his six frames. Littell was thus able to record a quality start -- his third over his past four appearances -- and was taken off the hook for a loss when the Rays battled for four runs over the seventh and eighth innings. The right-hander lowered his season ERA to 3.53, and he hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his past six outings.
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Rays' Zack Littell: Falls short of quality start
Rotowire
Littell (8-7) picked up the win Wednesday, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings in a 7-3 victory over the Tigers. He struck out four.
He was lifted after 87 pitches (56 strikes) with the Rays clinging to a 4-3 lead and Zach McKinstry having just laced his second double of the game off Littell, denying the right-hander his third straight quality start and his 13th of the season. Littell has been tagged for more than three runs only once in 13 outings since the beginning of May, delivering a 2.95 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB through 82.1 innings over that stretch while going 7-2 as he heads into the All-Star break.
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Rays' Zack Littell: Fires six strong innings Friday
Rotowire
Littell didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Twins, giving up one run on four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out five.
Littell fanned five while allowing a lone run in his third consecutive start, tossing six strong innings Friday. The 29-year-old right-hander had previously gone four straight outings without walking a batter, but he's now issued two free passes in each of his last two appearances. Littell is now up to 12 quality starts in 2025, and he'll carry a steady 3.50 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 76:15 K:BB across 110.2 frames into a tough spot on the road against the first-place Tigers.
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Rays' Zack Littell: Sharp in seventh win
Rotowire
Littell (7-7) picked up the win Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over seven innings in an 11-3 rout of the Orioles. He struck out five.
The right-hander tossed 61 of 93 pitches for strikes en route to his 11th quality start of the season, and fifth in his last seven trips to the mound. During that stretch, Littell has produced a 2.78 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and stunning 33:2 K:BB over 45.1 innings. He'll try to stay dialed in during his next start, which lines up to come on the road next weekend in Minnesota.
Rays' Zack Littell: Strikes out five in no-decision
Rotowire
Littell did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Tigers, allowing one run on four hits and no walks with five strikeouts over five innings.
Littell allowed a run in the second inning but was otherwise excellent, throwing 53 of 69 pitches for strikes and generating 15 whiffs. While it was a bit disappointing to see him lifted early, the 29-year-old has now given up three earned runs or fewer in 12 of his last 13 outings, recording nine quality starts in that span. He'll carry a 3.78 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 66:11 K:BB across 97.2 innings into a road matchup with the Orioles next weekend.
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Rays' Zack Littell: Takes loss despite quality start
Rotowire
Littell (6-7) took the loss Tuesday against the Orioles, allowing three runs on seven hits and no walks while striking out three in six innings.
Littell gave up a fifth-inning solo blast to Colton Cowser and a near home run to Jordan Westburg but otherwise kept the Orioles in check. It was his fourth straight start allowing a homer, but his fifth straight start going at least six innings. Littell has allowed three runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts and has walked just eight batters over that span. He'll aim to get back in the win column this weekend against the Tigers.
Rays' Zack Littell: Plagued by long ball in sixth loss
Rotowire
Littell (6-6) was charged with the loss Wednesday against the Red Sox after giving up four runs on eight hits and no walks in six innings. He struck out six.
Littell's control remained nearly impeccable, as he issued one walk or fewer in his 10th straight start, but his struggles containing the long ball resurfaced. The 29-year-old right-hander served up a whopping four homers for the second time already this year, and he now inauspiciously leads the majors in homers allowed (21). Littell still owns a steady 3.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 58:11 K:BB across 86.2 innings, and he'll aim to reduce the hard contact the next time he's scheduled to take the hill, likely next week versus the Orioles.
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