The Cincinnati Reds faced a tough challenge against the Pittsburgh Pirates, suffering a significant defeat in their series opener. This loss raises concerns as they prepare for crucial division matchups.
Key points
Cincinnati Reds lost to Pittsburgh Pirates in series opener
Andrew Abbott was the starting pitcher for the Reds
The loss is a concern for the Reds' division performance
The series is considered a litmus test for the Reds
Cincinnati RedsPittsburgh PiratesAndrew Abbott
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Will Benson (30) catches a fly ball off the bat of Jordan Beck in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Rece Hinds (57) sits in the dugout in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Will Benson (30) is unable to catch a home run ball off the bat of Colorado Rockies designated hitter Tyler Freeman (2) in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Q&A
What was the score of the Reds vs. Pirates game?
The Cincinnati Reds were routed by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the series opener, but the exact score is not provided.
Who pitched for the Cincinnati Reds in the game against the Pirates?
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott started the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Why is the series against the Pirates important for the Reds?
The series against the Pirates is seen as a litmus test for the Reds as they navigate crucial division matchups.
What are the implications of the Reds' loss to the Pirates?
The Reds' loss raises concerns about their performance and competitiveness in the division as they approach important games.
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Colorado Rockies designated hitter Tyler Freeman (2) rounds third on a home run in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Tyler Freeman (2) celebrates a home run in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) looses his helmet as he takes a hard swing for a strike in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) breaks his bat as he hits a single to left field in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) celebrates a single in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) tosses the ball in after snagging a line drive off the bat of Kyle Karros for an out in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Nathaniel Lowe (31) hits a solo home run in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Nathaniel Lowe (31) celebrates a solo home run in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) plays a ground ball off the bat of Brenton Doyle for an out in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) throws a pitch in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) makes a sliding catch off the bat of Tyler Freeman in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Connor Phillips (34) throws a pitch in the top o the seventh inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tony Santillan (64) circles the mound after picking off Tyler Freeman at first base in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) runs for third on a Tyler Stephenson double in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) reaches second on a double in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Cincinnati Reds center fielder Dane Myers (17) hits a sacrifice ground ball, scoring Sal Stewart from third base, in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) checks in with manager Terry Francona (77) after scoring in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) doubles, scoring Tyler Stephenson, in the eight inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) dives into third base in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Injured Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez (28) looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) is visited at the mound by catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) and catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) celebrate a win after the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
The Reds celebrate a win after the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Will Benson (30) catches a fly ball off the bat of Jordan Beck in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Rece Hinds (57) sits in the dugout in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Will Benson (30) is unable to catch a home run ball off the bat of Colorado Rockies designated hitter Tyler Freeman (2) in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Tyler Freeman (2) rounds third on a home run in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies designated hitter Tyler Freeman (2) celebrates a home run in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) looses his helmet as he takes a hard swing for a strike in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) breaks his bat as he hits a single to left field in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) celebrates a single in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) tosses the ball in after snagging a line drive off the bat of Kyle Karros for an out in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Nathaniel Lowe (31) hits a solo home run in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Nathaniel Lowe (31) celebrates a solo home run in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) plays a ground ball off the bat of Brenton Doyle for an out in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) throws a pitch in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds center fielder TJ Friedl (29) makes a sliding catch off the bat of Tyler Freeman in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Connor Phillips (34) throws a pitch in the top o the seventh inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tony Santillan (64) circles the mound after picking off Tyler Freeman at first base in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) runs for third on a Tyler Stephenson double in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) reaches second on a double in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds center fielder Dane Myers (17) hits a sacrifice ground ball, scoring Sal Stewart from third base, in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart (27) checks in with manager Terry Francona (77) after scoring in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) doubles, scoring Tyler Stephenson, in the eight inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) dives into third base in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Injured Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez (28) looks on from the dugout in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) is visited at the mound by catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) and catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) celebrate a win after the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
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Photos: Cincinnati Reds take series over Colorado Rockies
The Reds celebrate a win after the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The Reds won 6-4.
PITTSBURGH – The Cincinnati Reds expect to learn a lot about themselves, if not the National League Central, by the time the get home from a two-city, seven-game road trip.
For now, they’re getting their fill of learning how serious the long-scrubby Pittsburgh Pirates are about making noise in the division this season.
Even before the weekend series in Pittsburgh kicked off with another Reds lopsided loss to the Pirates, Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said this version of the lineup-bolstered Pirates looks for real – certainly a lot more than they did the last couple of years.
“They’ve always had arms and been able to throw, and now they’ve added some pieces to their lineup,” Stephenson said of a club that has two of the best under-24 players in the game in Cy Young winner Paul Skenes and shortstop Konnor Griffin, who turned 20 barely a week ago.
Reds starter Brady Singer gave up seven hits, including two home runs, and a pair of walks in just 3 1/3 innings against the Pirates on May 1 in Pittsburgh.
Reds starter Brady Singer gave up seven hits, including two home runs, and a pair of walks in just 3 1/3 innings against the Pirates on May 1 in Pittsburgh.
“This is a really good team,” Stephenson said.
Skenes won’t pitch in this series, and the Pirates already pocketed a series-opening 9-1 rout that snapped their five-game losing streak and ran their early record against the Reds to 3-1 this season.
Just like that, the National League Central restored its status as the only division in baseball in which every team had a winning record — the Reds falling into a first-place tie with their next opponent, the Chicago Cubs.
It might be early in the season. But this road trip is an early litmus test for a Reds team that entered the weekend with only four series against National League opponents this season — only one against a division opponent. (They’re 13-5 against the American League).
“Something that we’ve talked about a lot is just believing it, believing in what we’re doing,” said Stephenson, the most tenured player on the roster. “Some (of that is) getting a taste of the playoffs last year. That’s the culture and identity that we need to surround ourselves with. And believe in ourselves.”
Even with the loss, the Reds own at least a share of first place for the 18th consecutive day as they send young aces-in-the-making Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns to the mound for Games 2 and 3 of the Pittsburgh series.
Meanwhile, the Pirates are the only team in the division that has played all its division rivals. They have a winning record against three of the four, and the only reason their NL Central record is .500 (7-7) is because they were swept in a four-gamer by the Cardinals just ahead of this Reds series.
Newbie Pirates manager Don Kelly said even before the season started, “The excitement is real. It’s high. Looking at the moves we’ve made, it’s real.”
The moves included signing Marcell Ozuna, who hit a two-run homer in Friday’s series opener; Ryan O’Hearn, who drive in a run with a single against Brady Singer in the third, then singled and scored in the sixth; and baseball’s top prospect, Griffin, who didn’t face the Reds in that series a month ago, then singled and scored in the fifth and drew a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.
Holdover No. 3 hitter Bryan Reynolds homered and tripled against Singer, who didn’t get out of the fourth; holdover catcher Henry Davis hit two homers from the No. 9 hole; and another veteran addition, Brandon Lowe, joined the every-Pirate-reached-base parade with a walk.
Reds third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (3) walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park May 1.
Reds third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (3) walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park May 1.
“It’s probably the deepest, most talented group we’ve had,” the Pirates’ seventh-year general manager, Ben Cherington, said during spring training.
“It’s a really hard division. We know we’re going to have to be at our best to compete with it. We believe we can,” Cherington said. “And it’s not only competitive, but there’s a ton of really exciting young players, young stars, in the division.”
For the Reds: Rookie of the Year favorite Sal Stewart, rookie Lowder, and under-25 impact players Elly De La Cruz and Burns.
For the Pirates: Griffin, Skenes and rookie starter Bubba Chandler.
Then the Reds get their first looks of the season at young Cubs hitters Pete Crow-Armstrong, a 30-30 All-Star last year, and rookie hit machine Moises Ballesteros.
“Two big series. And two teams that have been playing well,” Stephenson said. “Just keep playing our ball.”
That was good enough last year for 83 wins and the final National League wild-card spot – making the Reds the third team from the NL Central to reach the six-team field.
How much room is there for NL Central teams this year, with all five teams starting so strong – and big spenders such as the Mets and Phillies off to miserable starts?
The way the NL Central has looked against everyone else, and what that might say about its chances for a five-team brawl once the division games start piling up, the Reds’ 2025 total might look pretty good to at least a few teams.
“Nowadays, 83 wins does give you a pretty good chance to get in,” Cherington said. “Obviously, we’re looking to beat that number.”
