After a slow start to the season with a .239 batting average and 68 strikeouts through April and May, Cincinnati Reds’ shortstop Elly De La Cruz has dramatically improved his performance since June, sparking the team’s playoff aspirations. Over the past two months, De La Cruz has maintained an impressive .327/.417/1.088 slash line while cutting his strikeouts to 37. His recent hot streak has played a key role as the Reds prepare to face the Tampa Bay Rays in the finale of their current three-game series.

In his last 13 games, De La Cruz is hitting .362 with a .483 on-base percentage and a .553 slugging percentage, boosting his overall season batting average to .285. Most recently, he delivered a crucial two-run single in the seventh inning against Rays reliever Garrett Cleavinger, helping Cincinnati secure a 6-2 victory on Saturday.

The patience that he has, he’s seeing the ball real well over the last couple weeks, or the last couple months, actually, For him to put it in play, especially against one of their top left-handed relievers, so, it was a great at-bat and great things happen when you put it in play.

—Freddie Benavides, Reds bench coach

Reds Clinging to Playoff Position Amid Recent Success

The steady contributions from De La Cruz have helped the Reds win nine of their past 13 contests, keeping them in contention for a National League wild-card spot. Heading into Sunday’s game, Cincinnati sits just one game behind the last playoff berth in the NL. The team’s recent resilience was highlighted by Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott following Saturday’s start, as they aim to sustain momentum into the stretch run.

We’re playing really good baseball right now, I think we kind of sat down and had a discussion as a team where we’re just kind of like, let’s keep stacking series wins. Let’s control the things that we can control. Obviously, trying to put ourselves in a situation to be buyers, to be in the playoffs and we’re right on the door knocking. We’re really just trying to focus on the things that we can do.

—Andrew Abbott, Reds pitcher

For Sunday’s matchup, Cincinnati will turn to Brady Singer, who holds a 7-8 record with a 4.84 ERA this season. Singer has had mixed success against Tampa Bay, posting a 1-2 record and a 4.13 ERA over just under 33 innings in six career starts versus the Rays.

Tampa Bay Rays Seek to Halt Losing Streak as Playoff Hopes Diminish

On the other side, the Rays are looking to rebound from a difficult stretch marked by three consecutive losses and 16 defeats in their last 22 games. Currently 2 ½ games out of the final American League wild-card spot and trailing the division-leading Toronto Blue Jays by 10 games, Tampa Bay’s playoff chances appear increasingly uncertain. The organization faces mounting pressure amid the trade deadline period, with potential changes looming in the clubhouse.

Especially this time of year, everybody in here wants to stay together. We know what the deadline brings, too, Not winning just puts a lot more pressure on the front office. And nobody in here wants that.

—Taylor Walls, Rays shortstop

So, of course, there’s always urgency, Especially, I mean, this ballclub, this organization, there’s urgency to win every day we’re out there. … It’s just everybody feels it is getting to be that time of the year.

—Taylor Walls, Rays shortstop

Tampa Bay will start right-hander Shane Baz, who owns an 8-6 record and a 4.66 ERA this year. Baz’s recent form faltered in his last outing when he allowed eight runs on eight hits over four innings in an 8-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox. His track record against Cincinnati is limited, with an 0-1 record and a 9.72 ERA in just over eight innings pitched across two starts.

Implications of Sunday’s Decisive Contest

The Sunday finale between the Reds and Rays carries significant weight for both teams’ postseason ambitions. Cincinnati’s recent surge, driven notably by Elly De La Cruz’s emergence as a dynamic offensive force, positions them to potentially clinch or strengthen their wild-card standing. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay confronts the pressure of a prolonged slump and the urgency that accompanies the approach of the trade deadline, which could shape their roster for the remainder of the season.

This matchup serves as a critical juncture that may influence the trajectory of both clubs as they strive to secure playoff berths in their respective leagues amid tight competition and late-season intensity.