The highlights, drawbacks, and challenges encountered in Cincinnati’s series triumph over the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

For the first time since their previous visit to Chicago, the Cincinnati Reds celebrated a road series victory. Their last series win away from Great American Ball Park occurred when they swept all three games against the struggling White Sox on April 12-14. Since then, they’ve faced numerous defeats, both on the road and at home.

The baseball played by the Reds has largely been lackluster, particularly in terms of offense. However, they managed to claim two out of three games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field over the weekend. Here are some key takeaways:

The Good:
TJ Friedl delivered a significant moment in Sunday’s series finale with a three-run homer. It marked a rare occasion where a Cincinnati Red homered with runners on base, reminiscent of a historic event dating back to the Battle of Almansa. Friedl’s performance not only provided crucial early runs but also suggested a return of the power he displayed last year before being sidelined by wrist and thumb injuries.

The Bad:
Despite significant investments in relief pitching during the offseason, there are concerns about the reliability of Lucas Sims and Alexis Diaz, particularly in the late innings. Sims allowed a pivotal two-run homer by Dansby Swanson in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 7-5 loss to the Cubs. Meanwhile, Diaz struggled in Friday’s series opener, surrendering a walk, two hits, and a run before escaping the inning. Diaz’s performance has been inconsistent this season, with an alarming increase in walks and a decrease in strikeouts compared to his breakout 2022 season.

The Ugly:
Elly De La Cruz is enduring a prolonged slump at the plate, evident in his dismal performance during the series. He went hitless in 14 at-bats with nine strikeouts against the Cubs. With 83 strikeouts on the season, De La Cruz leads all players in baseball in strikeouts. His struggles extended through the month of May, where he managed just one home run and a meager slugging percentage. Since late April, De La Cruz has struggled to produce offensively, significantly impacting the team’s overall performance. Comparisons to Billy Hamilton, known for his defensive prowess but limited offensive contributions, highlight the severity of De La Cruz’s struggles at the plate.