Abbott, among Reds rotation pieces affected by 2025 injuries, remains a critical piece in Cincinnati’s 2026 plans, with Lowder’s AFL stint shaping how the staff is built around him.

Abbott represents Cincinnati’s pitching backbone, with respect to Game 3 planning and potential playoff return. His presence shapes the Reds’ rotation depth and could determine whether the club can steal a decisive win in the next meeting.

Abbott would have started Game 3 if the Reds had won; his role in a longer series would be central to Cincinnati’s plan for rotation depth and bullpen leverage.

Abbott did not pitch in the series, leaving questions about how Cincinnati would deploy its young rotation in high-stakes postseason settings and what that means for his fantasy upside in 2026.

<p>Andrew Abbott represents Reds’ internal depth, providing a potential short-rest option that fans discussed as a pivot for game three. His presence as a longer-relief or emergency starter frames Cincinnati’s flexibility, offering a way to keep rest on the main rotation while preserving bullpen strength.</p><p>Fantasy implications center on the reliability of a mid-rotation piece stepping into a playoff roster, with Abbott’s versatility giving managers a slate of varied lineup matchups to exploit.</p>