Zack Littell Fantasy Stats

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Zack Littell will make the start for the Reds in Game 2 on Wednesday, according to manager Terry Francona. Littell came to the Reds in a trade from the Rays at the trade deadline and went 2-0 in 10 starts for the Reds, posting a 4.39 ERA, 4.77 FIP, and a 1.07 WHIP. He went 10-8 in his 32 starts overall this season with a 3.81 ERA, but he struggled with a tendency to give up home runs, allowing 36 homers, which was the second most in the majors behind only Jake Irvin of the Nationals. Littell starting Game 2 and Andrew Abbott in Game 3 (if necessary) allows the Reds to use lefty Nick Lodolo out of the bullpen. It will be interesting to see how Francona mixes and matches his pitchers as he and the upstart Reds try to take down the mighty Dodgers.

The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to acquire right-hander Zack Littell from the Tampa Bay Rays, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. They're finalizing a trade that involves a third team, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Littell, 29, made his final start with the Rays on Wednesday and threw five scoreless, two-hit innings with four strikeouts and four walks in a 5-4 loss to the New York Yankees, but he didn't factor into the decision. Walks have been rare for Littell, who has issued just 21 free passes over 22 starts and 133 1/3 innings this season. Littell has also posted a 3.58 ERA (4.88 FIP) and a 1.11 WHIP despite totaling only 89 strikeouts in 2025. With Littell set to become a free agent at the end of the season and the Rays willing to sell off players before Thursday's trade deadline, it's no surprise that he's on the move. Littell could bump either Nick Martinez or Brady Singer from the Reds' rotation, though he does have plenty of experience as a reliever.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell is "in play" as a rental starter at the trade deadline, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. While Tampa Bay enters play on Monday just 1.5 games back of the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners for the final American League wild-card spot, Morosi notes that the Rays have shown a willingness to both buy and sell at previous deadlines. The 29-year-old Littell is 8-7 this season with a 3.53 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts in 122 1/3 innings (20 starts). A move out of Tampa Bay could help him with his biggest issue, which is allowing home runs (1.77 HR/9). However, his 86.2% strand rate is unsustainably high, pointing to likely regression wherever he pitches in the season's final months.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell allowed six hits and one earned run in Friday's 4-3 win against the Miami Marlins. He struck out four and walked none over six innings for his ninth quality start of the season, improving to 6-5. Littell has been stellar, letting up three earned runs or fewer in ten straight starts and working less than six innings just once in that span. The 29-year-old doesn't miss many bats and is outperforming his expected stats quite a bit with a 4.56 xERA, significantly higher than the 3.68 ERA he holds after this start. Still, he out-pitched his metrics in 2024 and is worth riding while he's hot. He's won six of his last eight after losing his first five starts of the season. He'll square off against the Boston Red Sox on the road the next time he toes the rubber.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell took the mound and never left during Saturday's game against the Houston Astros. Littell got hit around early by allowing two home runs to Jeremy Pena. After that, Littell settled down and kept the Astros off the board again. The Rays offense went insane and scored 16 runs, so Littell could relax on the mound. He ended up throwing his first career complete game as he allowed three earned runs on 10 hits while striking out six batters. It took 117 pitches, but Littell was able to get through the game by himself. The right-hander hasn't been much of a fantasy option this season, but does have some streaming appeal for his next outing against the Miami Marlins.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell improved to 4-5 on the season by holding the visiting Twins to just one run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings on Monday night. He didn't get any run support until the sixth inning when a three-run home run from Jonathan Aranda opened the scoring. Littell got one out in the seventh but departed after hitting Ty France with one out. The bullpen gave up a home run to Carlos Correa, allowing France to score for Littell's only run allowed. He only had four strikeouts, but he continues to be effective. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his last six starts while going 4-0 with a 2.95 ERA and 4.46 FIP during that span. He has been especially sharp at home, but he'll be on the road for his next start, which is scheduled for Saturday in Houston. He faced the Astros last Tuesday, allowing two runs in five innings with six strikeouts in a no-decision.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell continued his impressive stretch on Thursday, shutting out the Boston Red Sox for seven innings and earning his eighth win in a 2-0 victory. Littell was completely dominant in this one, allowing just one hit and walking no one while punching out seven. This makes three straight outings where the 28-year-old hasn't given up a run or allowed more than three hits. It's been a good campaign overall for Littell, and he could earn himself a spot in Tampa's 2025 rotation with the way he's pitched. The righty has one start left this year against the feisty Detroit Tigers, and fantasy managers who are in a pickle certainly could do worse than Littell.

The Tampa Bay Rays activated right-hander Zack Littell (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Sunday and also selected the contract of catcher Logan Driscoll from the minors. Littell is scheduled to make his first start back from the IL on Monday in the series opener against the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. The 28-year-old didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment after leaving his last start early on Aug. 14 against the Houston Astros with right-shoulder soreness. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will want to pounce on Littell if he's available on the waiver wire. While his 21.1% strikeout rate doesn't exactly stand out, he allowed five runs (three earned) with five walks and 16 K's in his last four starts before getting hurt. On June 20 against the Twins, he gave up just two earned runs while striking out five in five innings for a no-decision.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said on Wednesday that right-hander Zack Littell (shoulder) is progressing well and that he threw a "simulated live session," so there is hope that he can be penciled back into the starting rotation sometime during the upcoming homestand that runs from Friday, Aug. 30, through Thursday, Sept. 5. Cash said Littell, who last pitched on Aug. 14 due to right-shoulder fatigue, is not likely to need a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the 15-day injured list. The 28-year-old will be in play in deep-mixed leagues when he's back. Although he didn't go beyond 5 1/3 innings in any of his three August starts, he gave up just five runs (three earned) while walking four and striking out 11 in 15 2/3 innings. Littell has a nice 4.7% walk rate and a 21.1% strikeout rate in 2024, which is his highest mark since 2021.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littell (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder fatigue. In a corresponding move, the Rays recalled southpaw Tyler Alexander from Triple-A Durham. Littell was enjoying a nice hot stretch before the injury as he held a strong 1.19 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 5:16 BB:K ratio across his previous three outings (22 2/3 innings). Overall, through the season, the 28-year-old has posted a 3.89 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 26:116 BB:K ratio. Alexander has carried a hefty 5.20 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP through 71 frames this season. Fantasy managers should expect Alexander to contend for the open spot in the rotation with Drew Rasmussen, who recently returned from the 60-day IL, while Littell remains sidelined.