Wittenmyer & Williams: Elly De La Cruz declares Cincinnati Reds World Series 'ready'. Huh?

Wittenmyer & Williams is a point/counterpoint column from Enquirer Reds reporter Gordon Wittenmyer and columnist Jason Williams. Playoffs? PLAYOFFS?! Elly De La Cruz is already talking about the Reds going to the World Series.

Williams: You were right last week, when you said anything short of a sweep against the White Sox would be a disappointment. The Reds delivered and then some. They bulldozed Chicago, outscoring the White Sox 27-5 in the series.

Wittenmyer: And the Sox were lucky to score five. Two of those runs came in the last three innings of the series.

Williams: World Series or bust, right?

Wittenmyer: What are you, Elly De La Cruz now? The White Sox are the worst team in the majors, and we’re still almost two weeks from May.

Williams: Hey, at least I waited until mid-April to call my shot. Don’t you know sarcasm when you hear it?

Wittenmyer: Are you saying you had a problem with Elly talking about a World Series in the afterglow of those two home runs in a win over the Brewers last week.

Williams: I just don’t think it’s the best form 10 games into the season for a player to drop a “World Series” reference and say “we’re ready to go” to the series. And it wasn’t just in the afterglow, you and I talked to him in the clubhouse two days later and he stood by what he said.

Wittenmyer: Well, he’s still just a kid, man. And you have to love the confidence, if nothing else. I guess I can see your point. I didn’t have as much problem with it. I kind of liked it.

Williams: You also like stirring stuff up. I don’t have a problem with a player showing confidence. I actually appreciate that in young players with talent. But he’s not doing himself or his team any favors with comments like that this early in the season. Brash comments can create unnecessary pressure on a team that’s still looking for its first playoff series win in almost three decades.

Wittenmyer: That part’s not really a problem, considering none of these guys were around then. And it’s not like these guys were going to sneak up on anybody this year, after what they did last year. He just needs to back it up.

Williams: It didn’t help the Reds lost the next two games to the same team, and neither game was close. Be careful what you say.

Wittenmyer: It’s a long season, man.

Williams: Exactly. That’s my point. It’s why you don’t say stuff like that on April 8, especially when you’re playing the defending division champion who bloodied your nose on the playground the last two seasons.

Wittenmyer: Look, that’s part of the energy and confidence that has gotten De La Cruz this far – and already shown the baseball world glimpses of potential greatness. His own manager didn’t have a problem with what he said.

Williams: You take a big risk when you don’t back it up.

Wittenmyer: That’s true. But whether it means anything or not, I’ve noticed in the week or so since those comments a different look to De La Cruz just walking around the clubhouse. Almost more of a game face.

Williams: What the hell is a “game face”?

Wittenmyer: Well, if you’d shut your face and let me finish, I’ll tell you. People inside the Reds clubhouse tell me De La Cruz is showing up earlier for games over the past week or so and focusing more on preparation and individual work than just hanging around the clubhouse. It’s too early to tell for sure, but it seems like he’s showing signs on the field of that.

Williams: Clearly, his defense has improved. Some of the throws that were problems the first week or so of the season have been flawless in recent games.

Wittenmyer: Again, it’s early. And he’s going to have rough spots going forward. That’s inevitable. But if what’s going on now means anything, maybe it’s one more step forward for him.

Williams: De La Cruz has no choice. The Reds essentially don’t have another shortstop, at least until Noelvi Marte gets back in late June.

Wittenmyer: Maybe that explains the game face.

Williams: It’s a good sign, at least for now. Believe it or not, I was 22 once and I can only imagine how difficult it would be to stay grounded and focused when you have all this attention coming at you from so many directions. Nobody questions this guy’s game-changing talent, but let’s revisit this conversation in another month or two.

Wittenmyer: That sounds good. In the meantime, I’ll start looking into those World Series tickets for you.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: MLB: Elly De La Cruz declares Cincinnati Reds World Series 'ready'