Cincinnati Reds Elly De La Cruz Continues to Struggle... Is Elly De La Cruz Clutch?

The Cincinnati Reds recently faced the Seattle Mariners in a three-game series from April 15-17, 2025, at T-Mobile Park, with the Mariners taking the series 2-1. In the first game, the Reds fell 9-3, struggling against Seattle’s pitching despite Elly De La Cruz’s speed on the basepaths. The Reds bounced back in game two, winning 3-1, with Hunter Greene’s strong start and Matt McLain’s timely hitting. The finale saw a dramatic Mariners comeback, as Cal Raleigh and Randy Arozarena hit back-to-back homers in the ninth to tie it, followed by Arozarena’s clutch double in the 10th for a 6-4 win. De La Cruz went 4-for-12 with a stolen base but struck out in key moments, underscoring his -0.10 clutch rating in 2025. Posts on X highlighted Seattle’s late-game heroics, with fans praising Arozarena’s impact. Looking ahead, the Reds visit the Baltimore Orioles for a three-game series at Oriole Park at Camden Yards from April 18-20, 2025. The Orioles, with a 7-10 record, boast a potent offense led by Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman but face pitching challenges with injuries to Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish. The Reds, at 9-10, rely on De La Cruz, McLain, and Greene to compete in the hitter-friendly park. Baltimore’s bullpen, weakened by injuries, could be a target for Cincinnati’s aggressive base-running. Historical data shows the Orioles leading the head-to-head 10-5 since 2011, with a 4.7 runs-per-game average. Terry Francona’s strategic adjustments will be key for the Reds to exploit Baltimore’s pitching woes and steal a series win, setting a tone for their NL Central campaign.