David Bell admits his lineup decision may have negatively affected Elly De La Cruz

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell has taken his fair share of criticism this season. Before the 2024 season began, the Reds were a trendy pick by many baseball experts to win the NL Central Division for the first time since 2012.

Unfortunately, the Reds are 9-20 in one-run games, and despite having a +41 run differential and 61-52 expected win-loss record, Cincinnati is struggling to even make it to .500. The Reds are 55-58 and 5.5 games back of the final wild-card spot in the National League. A lot of Reds fans are blaming Bell for the team's lack of success this season. And though that may be somewhat unfair, the Cincinnati skipper is not above criticism.

In fact, Bell recently admitted that his decision to sit Elly De La Cruz last Monday, while well-intentioned, may have been a mistake. The Reds were just beginning a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs, and Bell made the determination to sit his star player against a right-handed pitcher.

David Bell admits his lineup decision may have negatively affected Elly De La Cruz

Bell gave De La Cruz a day off shortly before the All-Star break, and then after a week of games back on the field, the Reds' manager felt obliged to do it again. This was a rather indefensible choice by Bell, and the Reds fanbase was not happy with his decision. Ultimately, it didn't cost the Reds the game, as Cincinnati went on to win by the final of 7-1.

After a recent win over the Miami Marlins earlier this week, Bell was asked about De La Cruz's performance. While answering the question, Bell reminded everyone that he gave the shortstop a day off following the Reds' last road trip, and in so doing, may have gotten De La Cruz out of his rhythm a little bit.

After the off-day, De La Cruz went 2-for-20 with five strikeouts, no walks, and only one extra-base hit in the five games that followed. But since arriving in South Beach on Monday, De La Cruz has had back-to-back of four-hit games. Six of his eight hits have gone for extra bases.

De La Cruz is scorching hot right now, and it may be in Bell's interest to let his budding star play every day until the Reds are mathematically eliminated from the postseason.

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