In a move that feels long overdue, the Cincinnati Reds are shaking up their batting order—and it's about time. After suffering through the worst leadoff production in Major League Baseball, manager Terry Francona is finally stacking his lineup with the team's best bats.

Starting Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals, the Reds are rolling out a revamped top of the order that screams "21st-century baseball." No more TJ Friedl leading off while Matt McLain struggles in the two-hole. Instead, electrifying shortstop Elly De La Cruz moves up to the second spot, followed by Sal Stewart at third, JJ Bleday cleanup, and Spencer Steer hitting fifth against Nationals right-hander Kyle Leahy.

Will Benson gets the leadoff nod against the righty, but how Francona adjusts against left-handed pitchers remains to be seen. With the Reds looking to ignite an offense that's sputtered early this season, this new alignment could be the spark they need.

One notable absence from the lineup is Ke'Bryan Hayes, who became a talking point during Tuesday's game. First, he wasn't pinch-hit for in the fourth inning with the bases loaded—and promptly grounded into a double play. Then, when he finally was pinch-hit for later in a bases-loaded situation, the game was already out of reach. It's the kind of sequence that leaves fans scratching their heads.

Nathaniel Lowe is back in the lineup as the designated hitter tonight, a day after being benched against a right-hander—and his former team—which raised more than a few eyebrows.

Nick Lodolo takes the mound for his second start of the season as the Reds look to even up the series. With a lineup that finally puts their best hitters where they belong, Cincinnati fans have reason to believe the offense might just wake up.