Terry Francona Finally Listens: Reds Fans Get the Lineup Shakeup They’ve Demanded

The Cincinnati Reds’ season has been a rollercoaster, with flashes of promise and stretches of pure frustration. But on Monday night in St. Louis, something shifted. For the first time since taking over as manager, Terry Francona gave the Reds’ loyal fans the adjustment they’ve been begging for all year—and it immediately paid off.

A Move That Felt Long Overdue

From Opening Day, Francona’s decisions have been under the microscope. Reds fans still groan when remembering his choice to use Ian Gibaut as the closer in the very first game of the year. And while the bullpen has been shaky, that wasn’t the only thorn in their side.

The biggest sticking point? His unwavering commitment to leaving Elly De La Cruz locked into the No. 3 spot in the batting order, no matter how badly the shortstop was struggling.

That all changed in Monday’s series opener against the rival St. Louis Cardinals. Instead of penciling De La Cruz into his usual spot, Francona made the bold call to drop him to seventh in the order. The result? The 22-year-old answered with a solid performance—going 1-for-3 with a double and drawing two walks.

Why the Move Matters

At first glance, it may seem like just a lineup shuffle. But this change represents something bigger: a manager finally adapting to the reality on the field rather than clinging to stubborn habits.

Francona has shown flexibility with others like Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, and Spencer Steer, giving them rest when needed or moving them strategically up and down depending on matchups. Yet Elly De La Cruz had been treated like an untouchable centerpiece, even while slumping through a miserable stretch.

Over the last month, his numbers have been glaringly poor:

• .220 batting average

• .267 on-base percentage

• .331 slugging percentage

• 37 strikeouts in 30 games

• No home runs since July 31

Those are not the numbers of a consistent middle-of-the-order threat. Reds fans knew it. Analysts knew it. Everyone knew it—except Francona. Until now.

The Ripple Effect

Lineup changes aren’t magic fixes. Dropping De La Cruz doesn’t guarantee he’ll suddenly look like the electrifying rookie who stormed onto the scene. But it relieves the pressure. It gives him a chance to rediscover his swing without the weight of carrying the offense from the heart of the order.

It also makes the Reds’ batting order more balanced. With power threats and disciplined hitters in the top third, Francona’s adjustment forces opposing pitchers to stay locked in deeper into games.

And just as important, it showed fans that the manager isn’t afraid to admit when something isn’t working. That willingness to change could be the difference between the Reds staying in the fight or fading out.

Will It Stick?

The big question now: was this a one-night-only experiment because the Reds faced a left-handed pitcher, or is Francona finally ready to commit to a new approach?

Cincinnati’s playoff hopes are still hanging by a thread, and every at-bat matters. If Francona keeps De La Cruz in the lower third of the order, it could spark the turnaround both the player and the team desperately need.

But if it was just a temporary shuffle, Reds Country may find themselves right back in frustration mode.

A Manager Who Blinked—At Last

For now, though, Monday night’s win over the Cardinals was more than just another mark in the standings. It was symbolic. Terry Francona finally blinked. He finally bent to logic, and in doing so, he gave fans a glimmer of hope that this season still has some magic left in it.

The move wasn’t flashy, but it was necessary. And in a season defined by stubbornness and inconsistency, that makes it feel monumental.

Because sometimes, the best way forward is to admit it’s time for a change.