Zack Littell dazzles in his debut as the Reds top the Cubs 5-1 on Aug. 6, 2025. Spencer Steer's clutch 3-run homer sealed the crucial NL Central win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Talk about making a first impression. Zack Littell, acquired just last week from Tampa Bay, looked right at home on the mound at Wrigley Field, carving up the Cubs for seven brilliant innings to lead the Reds to a crucial 5-1 victory. With the offense coming alive late, Cincinnati secured its 60th win of the season and continued its push in the NL Central.
Zack Littell struck out eight over seven dominant innings in his Cincinnati debut, allowing just one run on three hits.
For six innings, it was a classic pitcher's duel. But in the top of the seventh, the Reds' offense broke through in a big way. With the game tied 1-1, Spencer Steer stepped to the plate and launched a tiebreaking three-run homer that silenced the Wrigley faithful. Steer finished the day with four RBIs, providing all the run support Littell would need. The Reds were ruthlessly efficient, going 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position, a stark contrast to the Cubs' 0-for-6 performance. TJ Friedl and newly acquired Miguel Andujar also chipped in with two hits apiece.
The front office is looking smart right about now. Littell's performance was exactly what the doctor ordered for a rotation that has battled injuries. He earned his ninth win of the season by pounding the strike zone and keeping hitters off balance. Meanwhile, Miguel Andujar, picked up from Oakland at the deadline, made his presence felt in his first start. He collected his first two hits as a Red, including a single that helped kickstart the four-run seventh-inning rally. These early returns suggest the recent trades could be pivotal for the stretch run.
While the big league club is battling for a playoff spot, the future foundation continues to look solid. MLB Pipeline recently ranked the Reds' farm system 11th in all of baseball, a testament to the organization's drafting and development. Third baseman Cam Collier continues to be a crown jewel, landing on MLB's Top 100 prospects list. He's joined by promising arms like Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder. The talent pipeline was just restocked in the 2025 MLB Draft, led by ninth overall pick Steele Hall, a dynamic high school shortstop, and hard-throwing pitchers Aaron Watson and Mason Morris.
With a third-straight road win in the books and the series finale against the Cubs looming, the Reds have momentum on their side. The combination of clutch hitting from players like Spencer Steer, the emergence of Elly De La Cruz as a star, and the instant impact from newcomers like Zack Littell has this team looking like a serious contender. If they can keep this energy up, the rest of August is going to be a thrilling ride.
