The Cincinnati Reds remain in the National League Wild Card race, sitting just two games behind the New York Mets as of Wednesday. However, their postseason aspirations are imperiled by the sharp decline in performance from their top player, Elly De La Cruz, who has stumbled significantly since the All-Star break. De La Cruz’s playoff struggles have raised concerns about the Reds’ ability to sustain a deep run in the playoffs.

Elly De La Cruz’s Decline in Hitting and Defense Since Midseason

Since the All-Star break, De La Cruz’s offensive production dropped to a .240 batting average with a .311 on-base percentage and a .333 slugging percentage, contributing only one home run and 11 RBIs. His strikeout rate has escalated, as he’s striking out three times more often than he walks, a recurring issue for him. Defensively, he has also faltered; four of his season’s 16 errors have occurred in the past month. This includes a defensive blunder in a recent game against the Philadelphia Phillies that was incorrectly scored as a hit rather than an error.

On the basepaths, De La Cruz has maintained a perfect streak of six stolen bases without being caught since the Midsummer Classic, but his overall stolen base attempts have decreased compared to earlier in the season. This shift partially reflects manager Terry Francona’s strategic approach, which has limited aggressive base stealing.

De La Cruz’s Impact on Reds’ Wins and Losses This Season

The difference in De La Cruz’s performance between games the Reds win and games they lose is stark. In the 63 victories this season, he is batting .297 with a .370 on-base and a .528 slugging percentage, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 56 runs. Conversely, in 58 losses, his numbers dip to a .250 average, .327 on-base, and .386 slugging, with just six homers and 18 RBIs. This split highlights how essential De La Cruz is for the Reds’ success and underscores the urgency for him to regain his form during this critical stretch.

Additional Cincinnati Reds Players Also Underperforming During Crucial Stretch

Elly De La Cruz is not the only Reds player to struggle recently. Austin Hays, Matt McLain, and Tyler Stephenson have all fallen short of expectations in the season’s crucial final weeks. While teamwork is vital, the Reds rely heavily on their star players to rise to the occasion, making De La Cruz’s slump especially damaging to their playoff hopes.

Why Elly De La Cruz’s Recovery Is Pivotal for Cincinnati’s Postseason Run

The Reds currently face mounting pressure to solidify their place in the playoffs, and a turnaround from De La Cruz is imperative. As the team’s most dynamic player, his ability to lead offensively and play solid defense could be the difference between an early exit and a legitimate postseason push. If De La Cruz cannot reverse his slump, the Reds’ margin for error will diminish rapidly against tough competition in the playoff race.

“Elly De La Cruz’s struggles are really putting a damper on our chances right now.” —Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds Catcher