The Cincinnati Reds return to Great American Ball Park tonight after taking the final two games of their road trip in Pittsburgh. First pitch against the NL East–leading Philadelphia Phillies is set for 6:10 p.m. ET, kicking off a six-game homestand that features two opponents a combined 48 games over .500 this season. The game will be available on FanDuel Sports Network and MLB.tv; radio coverage is on 700 WLW AM. Forecast: clear and hot, around 87°.
Starting pitchers
– Andrew Abbott (CIN): 115.1 IP, 2.34 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 35 BB, 99 K
Abbott has been one of the Reds’ most reliable starters in 2025. Even his recent outing — four runs allowed in 6.2 innings — stands out as one of his poorer starts; it was only his fourth time in 20 starts allowing more than two earned runs. One of those four tougher starts came against these Phillies on July 4, when he gave up four runs on nine hits in 3.1 innings. Right-handed hitters have shown a bit more power against Abbott this year, though overall splits are close: .221/.281/.361 vs. righties and .220/.278/.320 vs. lefties. His pitch mix leans heavily on a mid-90s four-seam and features a changeup and slider as complementary offerings.
– Taijuan Walker (PHI): 79.0 IP, 3.53 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 25 BB, 60 K
Walker began the year in the rotation, slid into the bullpen in June for about five weeks, and has since returned to the rotation, where he’s posted a 3.28 ERA across his five starts back (24.2 IP, 14 K, 3 BB). His splits are unconventional: right-handed hitters have a higher average and more power against him, while lefties walk more frequently but haven’t converted that into many hits. Walker’s repertoire includes a mix of four-seam, two-seam, cutter and split-change offerings.
News and notes
– Ian Gibaut’s rehab halted: Right-hander Ian Gibaut started a rehab assignment for shoulder impingement and had a mixed two outings (one perfect inning, then an appearance with two hits, two walks and four earned runs). He hasn’t pitched since and the Reds have recalled him from the assignment, pausing further rehab appearances for now.
– Prospects trending upward: Recent Statcast analysis of Triple-A Louisville call-ups Sal Stewart and Héctor Rodríguez shows encouraging results in a short sample since their promotion less than a month ago. Both have flashed tools that bear watching as they continue to adjust at the higher level.
Standings context
Cincinnati sits at 62-57, 12 games back in the division, with roughly a 12% playoff probability per FanGraphs. The Brewers lead the division (73-44), with the Cubs also well ahead (67-50). This homestand offers a chance for meaningful gains against quality opponents.
What to watch tonight
– Can Abbott rebound from his tougher recent start and keep Philadelphia’s lineup in check, particularly in the early innings?
– How effective will Walker be against a Reds lineup that can pressure pitchers with contact and speed?
– The bullpen picture: with Gibaut’s rehab paused, how the Reds manage late-inning matchups could be critical.
– Young bats in the system: keep an eye on how Louisville’s call-ups continue to perform; their progress matters for depth down the stretch.
Added commentary and context
The matchup pits two pitchers with different recent trajectories: Abbott as a season-long anchor for Cincinnati and Walker as a veteran who has reinvented himself after a bullpen stint. Abbott’s strong season overall gives the Reds a legitimate chance to lock in a quality start tonight, and the club’s recent two-game win streak can help momentum going into a demanding homestand. While the standings show a gap, the combination of solid starting pitching, improving depth from the minors, and a favorable stretch of home games creates an opportunity for the Reds to make up ground.
Short summary
The Reds host the Phillies at 6:10 p.m. ET, sending Andrew Abbott to the mound against Taijuan Walker. Cincinnati is riding a two-game win streak and begins a six-game homestand; Ian Gibaut’s rehab has been paused, and recent Triple-A call-ups Sal Stewart and Héctor Rodríguez have shown encouraging Statcast indicators. Key storylines include Abbott’s continued consistency, Walker’s adjustment back to the rotation, bullpen management, and the impact of the team’s minor-league depth.
Hopeful spin
Despite sitting 12 games back, the Reds have strong top-of-rotation performance, key prospects pushing forward, and momentum from a road sweep in Pittsburgh. A successful homestand could narrow the gap and provide a clearer path into September contention.