NL Central odds: Cincinnati Reds to make playoffs among best MLB future bets

The Cincinnati Reds had the Rookie of the Year in Jonathan India just two seasons ago, and while they did go 83-79 — he wasn’t Elly De La Cruz.

Since getting called up to The Show, De La Cruz is hitting .308 with three home runs, 23 RBI’s and 23 runs scored.

Currently, they’re 47-39 (meaning they’re 28-33 when De La Cruz doesn’t play) and first in the NL East by one game over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Now is probably one of your last chances at getting them with great value to win the division for two reasons.

One, we have enough of a sample size to know they’re very good with De La Cruz in the lineup, who has been one of the most impactful rookies in recent memory.

And it’s not just him: The aforementioned India, along with Spencer Steer and Jake Fraley, have combined 38 home runs and 149 RBI’s to bolster the Reds lineup.

Plus, their lone All-Star, Alexis Diaz, has recorded a 2.13 ERA and 24 saves — one of the best closers in the league this season.

Two, these frisky Reds are expected to be buyers before the trade deadline later this month, and will most certainly be in the market to add starting pitching, which they’ve been able to overcome the inconsistency (and injuries) of to this point.

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“We’ve had some starters go down. It will be nice to get some of those guys back over the next few weeks,” Reds general manager Nick Krall told MLB.com. “We’re just going to look at any avenue to improve our club. You can never have enough. Even to protect against injuries and guys [can] go up and down, there’s a lot to look at. Pitching help and pitching depth is always at a premium.”

If they could add the requisite starter or two, they could become the NL Central favorites, so now is the time if you like this Cincinnati bet.