The Cincinnati Reds are facing a tough start to the 2026 season without their ace, Hunter Greene, who’s sidelined with an elbow injury until at least July. But Reds manager Terry Francona isn't backing down, turning to left-hander Andrew Abbott as the Opening Day starter against the Boston Red Sox.
Losing Greene is a blow, no doubt, but Abbott’s stellar performance last season makes this an easy call. Plus, the matchup against a lefty-heavy Red Sox lineup couldn't be more favorable. Boston's offseason losses of Rob Refsnyder to the Mariners and Alex Bregman to the Cubs, along with Romy González's recent shoulder injury, have left them vulnerable against left-handed pitching.
Abbott is poised for success against Boston. Last year, he held left-handed hitters to a mere .614 OPS and posted an impressive 2.56 FIP. With Boston's big bats like Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Marcelo Mayer all swinging from the left side, Abbott's skills are perfectly aligned for this challenge.
With Greene out, Nick Lodolo will likely step into one of the top spots in the Reds' rotation, alongside Brady Singer or Rhett Lowder. Francona can deploy two lefties against his former team, which could tilt the odds in Cincinnati's favor.
However, victory isn’t guaranteed. Boston's rotation features lefties Garrett Crochet and Ranger Suárez, along with the experienced Sonny Gray. Cincinnati's offense will need to step up and deliver against this trio.
While the Reds face a tough test, Abbott's presence on the mound gives them a fighting chance. It's a matchup that, despite the challenges, offers a glimmer of hope for Cincinnati fans on Opening Day.