Fastball

Cincinnati Reds Keep Playoff Hopes Alive as Rookie Sets New Mark in Team History

The Cincinnati Reds won on Tuesday night to move to within 1.5 games of a playoff berth in the National League. Elly De La Cruz got right at the plate with two home runs, four RBI, and a new mark in team history.
Brady Farkas|
Cincinnati Reds Keep Playoff Hopes Alive as Rookie Sets New Mark in Team History
Cincinnati Reds Keep Playoff Hopes Alive as Rookie Sets New Mark in Team History

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Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds beat the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night 11-7 to keep their National League playoff hopes alive.

With the win, the Reds are now 81-77 and 1.5 games back of the third and final wild card spot. That spot is currently held by the Chicago Cubs. The Miami Marlins are also ahead of the Reds, 0.5 games back of Chicago after being rained out on Tuesday night.

The Reds are seeking their first playoff berth since the COVID 2020 season.

Young rookie Elly De La Cruz was the star of the night for Cincy, hitting two home runs and driving in four. He's hitting .234 since his call-up in early June but had been mired in a dreadful slump. He's been dropped in the order and is hitting just .188 over his last 30 games.

With the big night, De La Cruz set a new mark in StatCast Era history.

Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com:

ELLY 

119.2 MPH 

THAT’S THE REDS’ HARDEST-HIT BATTED BALL TRACKED BY STATCAST (2015)

Despite his struggles recently, De La Cruz is one of the most electrifying rookies to debut this year - and it's because of raw tools like this. He's got 13 home runs this year to go along with 40 RBI and 33 stolen bases.

The Reds will continue the "Battle of Ohio" on Wednesday night when they take on the Guardians again.

First pitch is set for 6:10 p.m. ET as rookie Andrew Abbott (CIN) goes up against former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber (CLE).

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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