In recent years, a winning April has been an elusive dream for the Cincinnati Reds. Yet, they just concluded their best April in over a decade. Here are some takeaways from April for the Reds.

A refreshing change of pace

Cincinnati concluded April with a 16-14 overall record. After playing their first three games of the season in March. The Reds had a 14-13 record in April itself. In recent years, the Reds had a habit of struggling through April. Digging themselves into a hole they weren’t able to climb out of until June or early July. If the Reds managed to climb out of that hole at all.

With the caveat that the 2020 season was postponed until July, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s how the Reds fared in April in the last decade.

April 2023 (12-15)

April 2022 (3-18)

April 2021 (12-13)

April 2019 (11-16) David Bell’s first season as the Reds manager.

April 2018 (7-20) Manager Bryan Price was fired after a 3-15 start to the season. 

April 2017 (11-13)

April 2016 (9-15)

April 2015 (11-11)

April 2014 (12-14) Bryan Price’s first season as the Reds manager.

The 2024 Reds are emerging from their best April since 2013. The last year that Dusty Baker was the Reds manager. The Reds were 15-13 in April 2013 and advanced to the MLB Postseason. Even in the pandemic shortened 2020 season. The Reds were 2-5 in July 2020 and 13-15 in August 2020. Cincinnati surged to in September to qualify for an expanded postseason. With a 16-9 record in September 2020.

Here are some more takeaways from this April.

Elly De La Cruz is playing well

Elly De La Cruz is managing to avoid a sophomore slump so far. As he embarks on his first full season in the major leagues. The only major concern I have with him is his fielding. Though he showed signs of improvement in that area as April progressed. De La Cruz goes into May 3rd with a .280 batting average.

Going into May, De La Cruz had 29 hits and 19 runs batted in. Concluding April with eight home runs and 18 stolen bases. The most in a calendar month in baseball’s modern era, dating back to 1901. De La Cruz’s batting average trails only team leader Jake Fraley’s .293 average. However, Fraley has only played in 19 games so far this season. While Elly De La Cruz played in 31 games so far. Both provide a boost for a team with the lowest batting average in the National League (.218) as of May 2nd.

Battling through illness and injuries

From illnesses going around the clubhouse. To several injuries early into this season. The Reds infield, outfield and pitching depth is being tested. Outfielder TJ Friedl could return later in May; after beginning a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Louisville Bats this week. He’s recuperating from a fractured wrist injury he suffered during Spring Training.

Infielder Matt McLain is set to miss most of this season as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Several position players missed games in April due to illness. Several pitchers are battling through injuries. Frankie Montas and Justin Wilson are recovering from comebacker injuries. Ian Gibaut, Brandon Williamson and Alex Young are hoping to return later this month.

Pitching

After struggling to get starting pitchers to go deep in games in recent years. Reds starting pitchers have had several quality starts; in an era where quality starts seem more elusive. Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft and Andrew Abbott have become Cincinnati’s three leading starters. All combining for seven of the Reds ten quality starts heading into May 3rd. Ashcraft leads Cincinnati with three wins and three quality starts.

Abbott has a team-leading 3.27 earned run average. While Greene leads the team with 42 strikeouts. In the bullpen, Alexis Diaz seems to be improving after struggling during spring training. Diaz is credited with all six of the Reds saves. Fernando Cruz, Lucas Sims and Brent Suter also serve as good middle relief options. Cruz has emerged as one of Cincinnati’s best relief pitchers. He leads Reds relievers with 22 strikeouts.

Outscoring opponents

Something just as impressive as the Reds record this April. Is that the Reds are outscoring their opponents. The Reds go into May 3rd outscoring opponents 150-132. In April 2023, the Reds were outscored by opponents 121-134. Cincinnati was 13-22 in games considered blowouts by Baseball Reference last year. Baseball Reference’s standard for a blowout is a win or loss by five or more runs. This season, the Reds are 6-5 in blowouts through May 2nd.

After emerging from April above .500 for the first time since 2013. The Reds now face the challenge of maintaining their winning record. With a May schedule full of series against formidable opponents. From a Baltimore Orioles team fresh from a postseason run last season. To a home and road series against the defending National League champion Arizona Diamondbacks. Along with a road and road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cincinnati will also host the San Diego Padres later this month. San Diego won two out of three against Cincinnati earlier this week. Cincinnati will also face divisional series against the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs. Given all of that, if the Reds can get through May with a winning record. Reds fans could be in for a fun summer.