Nationals' Zack Littell: Allows three homers in no-decision
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Littell didn't factor into the decision Sunday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on six hits and no walks while striking out three in five innings of work.
Littell had a solid outing Sunday, but he made three mistakes that the Brewers punished for solo home runs that cost him a chance at a win. The good news is that those were the only three runs he surrendered in the game, as he was sharp and efficient otherwise, working through five innings in just 71 pitches. That brought Littell's season ERA to 4.20 with a 1.40 WHIP, 10 strikeouts and five walks in 15.0 innings pitched. Home runs have been an early problem for the right-hander, who has now allowed five on the season so far.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Fans six in first start
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Littell didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Cardinals, allowing one run on four hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out six.
Littell coughed up three runs to the Phillies in first appearance of the season as a reliever, but he showed improvement as a starter Monday. The right-hander yielded a lone extra-base hit but was able to throw only 70 pitches, the latter of which is likely because he didn't sign with the Nationals until early March. Littell tentatively lines up to face the Brewers in his next scheduled start over the weekend, and he'll be hoping to further stretch himself out.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Making first start Monday
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Littell is slated to start Monday's game against the Cardinals in Washington.
Perhaps in an effort to manage Littell's workload after his late signing in spring training, the Nationals used the right-hander in bulk relief behind an opener in his team debut last Tuesday in Philadelphia. Littell covered five innings and 75 pitches in that appearance, so he should now be stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload Monday versus St. Louis.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Stuck with loss in Nats debut
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Littell (0-1) took the loss Tuesday, giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings of relief as the Nationals were downed 3-2 by the Phillies. He struck out one.
After PJ Poulin worked a scoreless first inning as the opener, Littell took the mound and lasted 75 pitches (53 strikes) while serving up solo shots to Kyle Schwarber in the third inning and Adolis Garcia in the fourth. Littell didn't sign with the Nats until early March, so Tuesday's usage likely has more to do with the fact that the right-hander wasn't quite stretched out yet, rather than being a sign that he'll be used as a primary pitcher behind an opener on a regular basis. Littell is expected to make his next appearance at home early next week against the Cardinals.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Could work in bulk relief Tuesday
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Littell is a candidate to pitch in bulk relief behind opening pitcher PJ Poulin in Tuesday's game in Philadelphia, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.
According to Nusbaum, manager Blake Butera merely grinned and said, "Poulin's starting," when asked if Littell would be involved in the Nationals' pitching plan for Tuesday, but all signs point to the right-hander making his Washington debut. After signing with Washington late in spring training, Littell built up to 2.2 innings and 64 pitches in his final Grapefruit League outing, so he likely would have been under a bit of a workload restriction if the Nationals had elected to use him as a traditional starter Tuesday. He should eventually move into the rotation once he's fully stretched out.
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Nationals' Zack Littell: Links up with Nationals
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Littell agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Sunday, Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The right-hander produced a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 130:32 K:BB across 186.2 regular-season innings between the Rays and Reds last season, but he was unable to secure a contract for 2026 until well after the start of spring training. There's now less than three weeks until Opening Day, so Littell doesn't have a ton of time to get built up for the start of the season. Once ready to go, the 30-year-old Littell should step in at the top of Washington's staff alongside Cade Cavalli and Josiah Gray.
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Reds' Zack Littell: Takes loss in elimination game
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Littell took the loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series. He allowed three runs on six hits while striking out two without a walk over 3.1 innings.
The Reds staked Littell to a two-run lead before he took the mound, but he ultimately gave the lead back with three runs allowed over the third and fourth innings. Littell was lifted after 52 pitches -- an understandably quick hook from manager Terry Francona with the season on the line. Littell served up 36 home runs during the regular season, second most in the majors, but he nonetheless managed a highly respectable 3.81 and 1.10 WHIP over 186.2 innings between Tampa Bay and Cincinnati. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is a free agent this winter.
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Reds' Zack Littell: Taking ball for Game 2
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Littell will start Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Dodgers on Wednesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Littell hadn't been particularly effective down the stretch of the regular season, accruing a 4.91 ERA over 25.2 frames during his final five appearances, but he'll toe the rubber in LA for Game 2. He found success in his last start against the Dodgers on July 30, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out four across five scoreless innings.
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Reds' Zack Littell: Stumbles vs. Blue Jays
Rotowire
Littell allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk across 4.1 innings in a no-decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays. He struck out six.
Littell was hurt by the long ball Wednesday, with all five runs charged to the right-hander coming on four homers. Littell's given up seven home runs in his last three starts (14.1 innings) and now sports a 4.78 ERA in six starts (32 innings) with the Reds after posting a 3.58 mark in 22 outings (133.1 innings) with Tampa Bay. Littell is currently scheduled to face the Padres on the road his next time out.
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
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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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Rays' Zack Littell: Tagged for five runs during loss
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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
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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: Fires six strong innings Friday
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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
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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.
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Rays' Zack Littell: Takes loss despite quality start
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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.
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Rays' Zack Littell: Tosses first career complete game
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Littell (5-5) earned the win over Houston on Saturday, allowing three runs on 10 hits and one walk while striking out six batters over nine innings.
Littell allowed two homers to Jeremy Pena in his first three innings, with the second tying the score at 3-3. The Rays poured on the offense from there, and manager Kevin Cash elected to give the bullpen a break and let Littell finish off the contest, which he did without allowing another run. The right-hander threw 117 pitches -- the most by any major-league pitcher in a game this season -- en route to his first career complete game. Since giving up seven runs in four innings against the Angels on April 10, Littell has yielded three runs or fewer in each of his subsequent nine outings, compiling seven quality starts, five wins and a 2.97 ERA in that span.
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Rays' Zack Littell: Fans six in no-decision
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Littell came away with a no-decision against the Astros on Tuesday, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out six over five innings. He did not issue a walk.
Littell scattered his two runs in the second and third innings and wasn't brought out for the sixth after tossing 103 pitches (63 strikes) while generating 10 whiffs. He has yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts, which has brought his ERA down to 4.25 across 59.1 innings. Littell has earned the win in three of his last five outings after losing his first five starts of the season. He'll go for win No. 4 in his next start, tentatively slated for next week at home against Minnesota.
