Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz breaking out just in time? Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer September 20, 2025 at 9:27 PM 0 The Cincinnati Reds got to the final two weeks of the season still in the playoff hunt despite their biggest star, Elly De La Cruz, struggling for nearly all of the ...
- - Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz breaking out just in time?
Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer September 20, 2025 at 9:27 PM
0
The Cincinnati Reds got to the final two weeks of the season still in the playoff hunt despite their biggest star, Elly De La Cruz, struggling for nearly all of the second half.
And then manager Terry Francona finally dropped him in the order for the first time this season, from third to seventh in the Cardinals series earlier this week, trying to take some of the pressure off. He hasn't batted higher in the order than sixth since.
Now it might be showing signs of paying off. With just enough time in the season for it to matter.
"If we can get him hot, boy, would that really give us a big lift," Francona said after the Reds won for the fourth time in five games since that lineup shuffle.
De La Cruz makes no promises on whether anything he's done since is a sign of what he might do in the Reds' final eight games as they try to close a two-game gap on the playoff field.
Elly De La Cruz and designated hitter Miguel Andujar celebrate after the Reds' third straight victory, 7-4 over the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on Sept. 19.
"But I've been feeling really good lately," he said. "We've got to just keep in mind this game's all about mentality."
In those games since the move, he has drawn six walks. And on Sept. 19, he drove his first home run since July 31 the opposite way to snap the longest homerless drought of his career.
It's added up to a .474 on-base percentage and .538 slugging percentage although it might be a small sample size.
But consider the .243 OBP and .291 slugging from Aug. 1 until that move down the batting order. He had 51 strikeouts and eight walks during those 39 games.
"I hope it takes the weight off his shoulders," said teammate Spencer Steer, who has heated up the last few games, too, including a five-RBI game Wednesday and two home runs in Friday's win over the Cubs — including the go-ahead, two-run shot just before De La Cruz made it back-to-back shots in the sixth.
"He's the heart of this team. He goes, we go," Steer said. "It's been a tough stretch for him. But I commend him for how he's handled it. He's the same guy every day. As a teammate and as a friend, that's the thing you have to respect."
2019 NLDS Game 5: Kershaw pitched in relief and blew a two-run lead in the eighth inning of the winner-take-all game against the Nationals.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2019 NLDS Game 5: Kershaw pitched in relief and blew a two-run lead in the eighth inning of the winner-take-all game against the Nationals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jehXSqM class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2019 NLDS Game 5: Kershaw pitched in relief and blew a two-run lead in the eighth inning of the winner-take-all game against the Nationals.
">2019 NLDS Game 5: Kershaw pitched in relief and blew a two-run lead in the eighth inning of the winner-take-all game against the Nationals.
" src=https://ift.tt/jehXSqM class=caas-img>2014 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw took a 2-0 lead into the seventh inning, but Matt Adams' three-run homer proved to be the winner for the Cardinals.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2014 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw took a 2-0 lead into the seventh inning, but Matt Adams' three-run homer proved to be the winner for the Cardinals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/K3eHs08 class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2014 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw took a 2-0 lead into the seventh inning, but Matt Adams' three-run homer proved to be the winner for the Cardinals.
">2014 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw took a 2-0 lead into the seventh inning, but Matt Adams' three-run homer proved to be the winner for the Cardinals.
" src=https://ift.tt/K3eHs08 class=caas-img>2017 World Series Game 4: Kershaw gave up six runs in 4.2 innings to start the Dodgers' extra-inning loss in Houston
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2017 World Series Game 4: Kershaw gave up six runs in 4.2 innings to start the Dodgers' extra-inning loss in Houston
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BHyfgAY class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2017 World Series Game 4: Kershaw gave up six runs in 4.2 innings to start the Dodgers' extra-inning loss in Houston
">2017 World Series Game 4: Kershaw gave up six runs in 4.2 innings to start the Dodgers' extra-inning loss in Houston
" src=https://ift.tt/BHyfgAY class=caas-img>2022 NLDS Game 2: Kershaw gave up three runs in five innings and got a no-decision in LA's loss to the Padres.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2022 NLDS Game 2: Kershaw gave up three runs in five innings and got a no-decision in LA's loss to the Padres.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/o3aeA5f class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2022 NLDS Game 2: Kershaw gave up three runs in five innings and got a no-decision in LA's loss to the Padres.
">2022 NLDS Game 2: Kershaw gave up three runs in five innings and got a no-decision in LA's loss to the Padres.
" src=https://ift.tt/o3aeA5f class=caas-img>2016 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw gave up five runs in 6.2 innings against the Nationals.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2016 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw gave up five runs in 6.2 innings against the Nationals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/QAG9RwI class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2016 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw gave up five runs in 6.2 innings against the Nationals.
">2016 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw gave up five runs in 6.2 innings against the Nationals.
" src=https://ift.tt/QAG9RwI class=caas-img>2019 NLDS Game 5: Kershaw came in to pitch the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead and gave up back-to-back home runs to start the frame in the eventual extra-inning loss against the Nationals.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2019 NLDS Game 5: Kershaw came in to pitch the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead and gave up back-to-back home runs to start the frame in the eventual extra-inning loss against the Nationals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VLTbHfw class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2019 NLDS Game 5: Kershaw came in to pitch the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead and gave up back-to-back home runs to start the frame in the eventual extra-inning loss against the Nationals.
">2019 NLDS Game 5: Kershaw came in to pitch the eighth inning with a 3-1 lead and gave up back-to-back home runs to start the frame in the eventual extra-inning loss against the Nationals.
" src=https://ift.tt/VLTbHfw class=caas-img>2014 NLDS Game 1: Kershaw gave up eight runs and took the loss against the Cardinals.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2014 NLDS Game 1: Kershaw gave up eight runs and took the loss against the Cardinals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2rzLZo9 class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2014 NLDS Game 1: Kershaw gave up eight runs and took the loss against the Cardinals.
">2014 NLDS Game 1: Kershaw gave up eight runs and took the loss against the Cardinals.
" src=https://ift.tt/2rzLZo9 class=caas-img>2017 World Series Game 4: Kershaw gave up six runs in 4.2 innings to start the Dodgers' extra-inning loss in Houston
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2017 World Series Game 4: Kershaw gave up six runs in 4.2 innings to start the Dodgers' extra-inning loss in Houston
" data-src=https://ift.tt/vUeqV6y class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2017 World Series Game 4: Kershaw gave up six runs in 4.2 innings to start the Dodgers' extra-inning loss in Houston
">2017 World Series Game 4: Kershaw gave up six runs in 4.2 innings to start the Dodgers' extra-inning loss in Houston
" src=https://ift.tt/vUeqV6y class=caas-img>2009 NLCS Game 5: Kershaw pitched two innings in relief against the Phillies, giving up Shane Victorino's home run.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2009 NLCS Game 5: Kershaw pitched two innings in relief against the Phillies, giving up Shane Victorino's home run.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/hWN8Z9F class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2009 NLCS Game 5: Kershaw pitched two innings in relief against the Phillies, giving up Shane Victorino's home run.
">2009 NLCS Game 5: Kershaw pitched two innings in relief against the Phillies, giving up Shane Victorino's home run.
" src=https://ift.tt/hWN8Z9F class=caas-img>2018 NLCS Game 1: Kershaw took the loss against the Brewers, surrendering four earned runs in three innings, including a home run by pitcher Brandon Woodruff
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2018 NLCS Game 1: Kershaw took the loss against the Brewers, surrendering four earned runs in three innings, including a home run by pitcher Brandon Woodruff
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4EusLyV class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2018 NLCS Game 1: Kershaw took the loss against the Brewers, surrendering four earned runs in three innings, including a home run by pitcher Brandon Woodruff
">2018 NLCS Game 1: Kershaw took the loss against the Brewers, surrendering four earned runs in three innings, including a home run by pitcher Brandon Woodruff
" src=https://ift.tt/4EusLyV class=caas-img>2023 NLDS Game 1: Kershaw only recorded one out against the Diamondbacks, getting shelled for six runs on six hits in the first inning.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2023 NLDS Game 1: Kershaw only recorded one out against the Diamondbacks, getting shelled for six runs on six hits in the first inning.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/O6tiTR9 class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2023 NLDS Game 1: Kershaw only recorded one out against the Diamondbacks, getting shelled for six runs on six hits in the first inning.
">2023 NLDS Game 1: Kershaw only recorded one out against the Diamondbacks, getting shelled for six runs on six hits in the first inning.
" src=https://ift.tt/O6tiTR9 class=caas-img>2018 World Series Game 5: Kershaw took the loss in the Red Sox's title clincher, giving up five runs on three home runs in seven innings at Dodger Stadium.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2018 World Series Game 5: Kershaw took the loss in the Red Sox's title clincher, giving up five runs on three home runs in seven innings at Dodger Stadium.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kSEWXgT class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2018 World Series Game 5: Kershaw took the loss in the Red Sox's title clincher, giving up five runs on three home runs in seven innings at Dodger Stadium.
">2018 World Series Game 5: Kershaw took the loss in the Red Sox's title clincher, giving up five runs on three home runs in seven innings at Dodger Stadium.
" src=https://ift.tt/kSEWXgT class=caas-img>2014 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw took the loss in the deciding game against the Cardinals.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2014 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw took the loss in the deciding game against the Cardinals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yXTCNVa class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2014 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw took the loss in the deciding game against the Cardinals.
">2014 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw took the loss in the deciding game against the Cardinals.
" src=https://ift.tt/yXTCNVa class=caas-img>2016 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw gave up five runs in 6.2 innings against the Nationals.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>2016 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw gave up five runs in 6.2 innings against the Nationals.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/AVNJtrK class=caas-img data-headline="14 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos" data-caption="
2016 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw gave up five runs in 6.2 innings against the Nationals.
">2016 NLDS Game 4: Kershaw gave up five runs in 6.2 innings against the Nationals.
" src=https://ift.tt/AVNJtrK class=caas-img>
1 / 1414 most devastating Clayton Kershaw MLB postseason photos
2019 NLDS Game 5: Kershaw pitched in relief and blew a two-run lead in the eighth inning of the winner-take-all game against the Nationals.
De La Cruz has dealt with hamstring and quad issues this season and dealt with the loss of his sister May 31. He hasn't missed a game.
Whether he's found a window of space physically and mentally to thrive in late September, that good space might be an ideal moment for not only himself but a team he describes as "really close, everybody in the clubhouse."
If he sheds the struggles of the last two months to have a big week to finish the season? If Friday was the start of something?
"He's a game changer," Steer said. "He can take over a game. He can take over a series. He's that kind of player. Hopefully, that gets him hot and he can kind of get it going the last couple games. Every time he does something good we've got a good chance to win."
No guarantees. No promises.
"We've got to keep it going," De La Cruz said. "Keep winning games and make things happen. We've got to make it happen."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What if Elly De La Cruz gets hot for Cincinnati Reds in final week?
Source: "AOL Sports"
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