The Cincinnati Reds are still fighting for a postseason spot, trailing by 2.5 games in the National League Wild Card race as of Monday. However, after dropping three straight games, the clock is ticking.
One of the team’s key offensive players has been dynamic shortstop Elly De La Cruz, who earned his second straight All-Star selection this season and has remained a fan favorite. Despite his overall talent, De La Cruz has hit a rough patch when the team needs him most. Since the All-Star break, he’s been batting just .227 with a .280 on-base percentage and only one home run across 52 games. His defensive play hasn’t helped either—he leads the majors with 23 errors—making his offensive contributions all the more vital.
Manager Terry Francona, in his first season leading the Reds, made a bold call ahead of Monday’s series against the St. Louis Cardinals. After having De La Cruz bat third in 148 of 149 games this season, Francona dropped him to seventh in the lineup—a first for the year.
This move signals a clear urgency from Francona, who appears willing to make tough decisions—even involving the team’s biggest star—to try and turn things around.
The Reds haven’t made the playoffs since 2020, and with the season winding down, De La Cruz will look to rebound from his slump in a new spot in the batting order.