The Reds’ playoff push has left Tito with no choice.
As the MLB regular season nears its conclusion, the Cincinnati Reds are teetering on a knife’s edge. They remain very much in the hunt for the final Wild Card spot, yet have often felt like outsiders looking in.
Every game now carries the intensity of October baseball, and every managerial call is under the microscope. On September 15 in St. Louis, Terry Francona made one of his most notable moves of the season—one many say was long overdue.
For the first time this year, Francona removed Elly De La Cruz from the No. 3 spot in the lineup. The two-time All-Star, who has struggled mightily in the second half, hit seventh as the Reds began a crucial three-game series against division rival St. Louis. Seeing De La Cruz drop down the lineup was striking, a clear acknowledgment that Francona could no longer overlook the slump of his team’s most electrifying player.
Reds made bold lineup change with Elly De La Cruz as struggles mount
The timing of Francona’s move raises a key question: was it overdue? Elly De La Cruz has been mired in one of the longest power slumps of his young career. Since his last home run on July 31, he’s hit just .206 with a .534 OPS — numbers more in line with a defensive specialist than the cornerstone player Cincinnati has envisioned.
Adding to the struggle, De La Cruz hasn’t had a single day off all season. Many fans and analysts argue that even one rest day might have allowed him to reset his swing and regain confidence. Instead, Francona has had him play through every game, with results that have often been painful to watch.
Still, Francona isn’t giving up on his star. Speaking to reporters, he emphasized that the lineup change wasn’t a punishment, but a strategic adjustment meant to spark the team.
“I don’t know that that puts us in the best position to win,” Francona said when asked about giving De La Cruz a day off. “We’ve got, what, 13 games left? We need to play.” He also pointed out that De La Cruz’s sprint speed remains among the league’s best, suggesting fatigue isn’t the cause of the slump.
Francona’s philosophy remains steady: even struggling, De La Cruz improves the Reds. The 23-year-old continues to pressure pitchers with his speed whenever he reaches base. By dropping him in the order rather than benching him, Francona is hoping reduced pressure and fewer immediate RBI chances will help De La Cruz rediscover his swing.
So far, the early signs are promising. Since moving down in the lineup, De La Cruz has reached base five times in two games, going 2-for-5 with three walks. With fewer than two weeks left in the season, the margin for error is razor-thin — Cincinnati can’t afford prolonged slumps from one of its brightest stars.
If De La Cruz regains his power stroke, the Reds could still make a push for October. If not, Francona’s bold move risks being remembered as too little, too late.
