Previewing the Reds starting rotation vs. Cardinals with the 2023 season on the brink

On Friday, the Cincinnati Reds will take on the St. Louis Cardinals in the final series of the 2023 season. As the Reds still have a chance, albeit a small one, to make the MLB Playoffs.

After Andrew Abbott failed to get out of the third inning on Wednesday, the Reds starting pitching must be better in order to give the Cincinnati bats a chance.

With the Reds now employing a four-man rotation, and Abbott having pitching on Wednesday in Cleveland, how will the starting rotation shake out over the next few days?

Previewing the Reds pitching vs. Cardinals with the 2023 season on the brink

On Friday, the Cincinnati Reds will turn to left-hander Brandon Williamson. The southpaw has been a bit of a wildcard this season. In his 22 games started, Williamson owns a 4.54 ERA with 96 strikeouts. Williamson pitched well in his last outing, giving up just two runs, but only made it through 4.1 innings.

Saturday will feature Connor Phillips on the hill for the Reds. Phillips is 1-0 on the season with a 5.66 ERA of 5.66 and 26 strikeouts in four games. Phillips' best outing came on September 18th when he faced the Minnesota Twins. The right-hander went seven innings with seven punch outs and allowed only two runs.

The series finale on Sunday, in what will be the final game of the regular season, will see Hunter Greene take the mound for the Cincinnati Reds. If there was ever a time that the Reds need Greene to show up, it's in this game. Greene has started 21 games with 146 strikeouts in 107 innings pitched.

The Reds will need a lot of help if they hope to make a run at the MLB Playoffs. Cincinnati will need to win all three games and get some help from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers.