Cincinnati Reds vs Philadelphia Phillies – May 20, 2026

After blowing the first game of the series the Cincinnati Reds came back last night and picked up a win to even up the series. This afternoon they will look to grab another victory and take the series against the Philadelphia Phillies. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm ET.

Starting Lineups

Starting Pitchers

Andrew Abbott

Most of the month of April was tough for Abbott. In his first five starts of the month he had an ERA of 8.34 and gave up 31 hits in 22.2 innings while walking 12 batters. But it appears that he’s turned things around because in the four starts since he’s also thrown 22.2 innings but has an ERA of 1.19 in them while giving up just 16 hits, though he has walked 10 batters during this most recent stretch.

The splits against Abbott this year aren’t as big now as they were earlier in the season. Left-handed hitters have had an advantage against him this season in their limited chances. Right-handed hitters haven’t stood out anywhere other than the fact that they’ve walked nearly as often as they’ve struck out against him. Over his last four starts lefties have hit just .130/.200/.130 against him.

Splits

Pitch Usage

Aaron Nola

2026 has been a season mostly of struggles thus far for Nola. He’s had three quality starts, but he’s also failed to complete five innings in four of his last five outings. In those starts he’s given up 20 earned runs while throwing just 17.1 innings.

The splits against Nola are pretty big. Lefties are hitting for a high average, walking a lot, making plenty of contact, and hitting for power. Right-handed hitters have a solid average and hit for a lot of power when they do get hits, but they don’t make much contact against him and they almost never walk when facing him.

Splits

Pitch Usage

When and Where

• Game time: 1:05pm ET
• Where: Citizens Bank Park
• Watch: Reds MLB Channel, Reds.tv (in-market), MLB.tv (out of market).
• Listen: 700 WLW AM (Cincinnati area)
• Forecast: 93°, sunny, 5% chance of rain

News and Notes

Eugenio Suarez heads to Triple-A

And some of you said the Reds didn’t have the guts to send a veteran to Triple-A! Ok, so this isn’t what you were talking about. Eugenio Suarez is joining the Louisville Bats this afternoon to begin his rehab assignment as he works his way back from an oblique strain suffered in April. We wrote a bit more about all things involved earlier this morning when the moves was announced.

A team on the farm scored 30 runs last night

The rookie-level team that plays in Goodyear went off on Tuesday night and scored 30 runs in a 30-4 win. In their 15-run 4th inning they batted around twice and two different players had three plate appearances in the inning.

Division Standings