Elly De La Cruz’s Home Run Drought Stalls Reds’ Playoff Hopes
Elly De La Cruz possesses an astonishing raw power that has captivated baseball fans since he burst onto the scene. Yet, for more than a month, the Cincinnati Reds’ young star has struggled to showcase that talent. As of now, De La Cruz has not hit a single home run since the end of July, leaving fans and analysts alike bewildered.
The numbers tell a shocking story. Entering Friday’s game, De La Cruz had gone 154 at-bats without a home run, a stretch that has extended into September. Historically, he has hit a home run in approximately three percent of his career at-bats, which suggests he should have registered at least five home runs in this timeframe. The stark reality is that he hasn’t even come close.
Struggles at the Plate
It’s not just the lack of home runs that paints a grim picture for De La Cruz. Since August 1, he has struggled to find his rhythm at the plate, batting just .214 with a dismal .554 OPS. While his overall season OPS stands at a respectable .774, it’s evident that he has hit a rough patch that is impacting the team’s performance.
Despite these personal struggles, the Reds find themselves in an intriguing position. The team is only 1.5 games behind the New York Mets for the final NL Wild Card spot. Both Cincinnati and the San Francisco Giants are in close pursuit of that coveted playoff position, making the stakes even higher for De La Cruz and the Reds.
A Potential Game-Changer
All it may take for the Reds to secure a postseason berth is for De La Cruz to rediscover his form. His innate ability to hit for power remains intact, and the potential for a late-season surge is palpable. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, fans are hopeful that De La Cruz can break free from this slump and help propel the Reds into the playoffs.
The spotlight is firmly on him, and the pressure is mounting. If De La Cruz can channel his prodigious talent, he could very well turn the tide for Cincinnati in their pursuit of October baseball.
