Zack Littell Makes Club History in First Start With Cincinnati Reds

Newly acquired Cincinnati Reds pitcher Zack Littell said he was nervous before Tuesday's start against the Cubs because it was the first time he had even been traded with expectations to perform.

After allowing the first two runners to reach base, Littell struck out the next three batters he faced.

The veteran became just the fifth Red in the last 125 years to throw seven or more innings, allow one earned run or fewer, and struck out eight or more batters in his debut with the team.

Littell likes this team's chances down the stretch.

"This club has a special energy to it," he continued. "It's an extremely tight group I can tell already. Really full of awesome guys. Everybody has been incredible. That's a big key to good teams...The energy is high in the dugout all the time. It's been really awesome."

The Reds will go for the sweep of the Cubs on Wednesday at 2:20 ET.

The Reds are 60-54 and three games back of both the second and third National League Wild Card spots.

You can see the full post below:

Zack Littell becomes just the fifth Red in the last 125 years with 7+ IP, 1 ER or fewer and 8+ K in his team debut‼️ pic.twitter.com/Fjm03BmHel
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 6, 2025