After enduring a couple of road series losses, the Cincinnati Reds have finally returned home to Great American Ball Park, where they are set to face the Baltimore Orioles in an important showdown.

Despite missing several key players, the Reds have managed to maintain a winning record of 16-15 through 31 games, thanks in large part to their standout shortstop, Elly De La Cruz. De La Cruz has been on fire at the plate, boasting an impressive batting average of .280, along with eight home runs, 19 RBIs, and an outstanding OPS of .968, which currently ranks ninth in the MLB.

The impact of De La Cruz on the Reds’ offense cannot be overstated. His exceptional speed puts immense pressure on opposing defenses, often leading to defensive errors as defenders rush to keep up with him on the basepaths.

De La Cruz is the epitome of a five-tool player, possessing all the necessary skills to excel in the game of baseball. His exceptional start to the season has even placed him in the MVP conversation, despite being only 31 games into his second year in the league.

Currently, on FanDuel Sportsbook, De La Cruz holds the fourth-best odds of winning the NL MVP Award at +1500. While it may be unrealistic to expect him to win the award in 2024, his talent and potential make it highly likely that he will be a strong contender for MVP honors in the future.

Elly De La Cruz’s impact on the game is unparalleled, and his contributions make him one of the most influential players in the entire MLB.

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