It’s no accident the Reds are surging with Elly De La Cruz catching fire

As Elly De La Cruz goes, so go the Cincinnati Reds — and currently he’s going full throttle.

After a sluggish start to the season that had some wondering if the Reds spark plug had hit a wall, De La Cruz has come roaring back to life in June, and the Reds are surging right along with him. The switch-hitting shortstop has returned to form — playing up to his immense ability, and the results are speaking volumes for a team clawing its way back into the postseason conversation.

The Reds have won 7 of their last 10 games and are 8–5 so far in June. What’s coming with that uptick of success? It just so happens to coincide with Elly catching fire. That surge just so happens to align with Elly catching fire. He’s hit safely in 7 of those 10 games and is torching the ball, slashing .378/.481/.800 with five home runs — four of them in consecutive games — 10 RBI, and a 1.281 OPS in June.

Scorching hot Elly De La Cruz fuels Reds' climb in NL Central

Compare that to his May production — when the Reds finished with a 13–15 record — and the difference truly jumps off the page. De La Cruz slashed a pedestrian .220/.298/.440 in May with a .738 OPS, flashing occasional power but struggled with consistency and contact. However something clicked as the calendar turned. June has brought not only better at-bats, but a more confident and dangerous version of Elly — one who’s attacking fastballs and laying off junk.

It’s not just individual numbers — De La Cruz’s resurgence has rippled through the Reds lineup and into the standings. As of June 16, Cincinnati sits tied for third in the NL Central with the St. Louis Cardinals at 37–35, just 5 ½ games back of the second-place Milwaukee Brewers and 7 games behind the division-leading Chicago Cubs. It’s a tight race, and the Reds aren’t ready to be counted out.

This team was never built to be carried by one player — but there’s no denying the emotional and statistical lift Elly brings when he’s locked in. His swagger, electricity, and five-tool potential make him the heart of this Reds roster. When he's rolling, everything and everyone feels more dangerous.

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