FC Cincinnati Sends a Message
Source: CityBeat
The Key for the week of July 8, 2024
The month of fireworks…
Are M-80s and missiles still going off in your neighborhood? Even Ben is getting a little weary of the pyrotechnic displays past the 4th. But the real fireworks may be with your favorite MLB team, as the annual trade deadline approaches on July 30. Yes, it’s a bit of a misnomer—it just means you can trade players without putting them on waivers (and letting everyone else see what you’re doing). And the question for many teams is—are they buyers, or are they sellers? The Reds looked like buyers less than a week ago after a sweep of the Yankees in the Bronx, but then returned to form by getting swept themselves by the Tigers. Hovering around the bottom of the division, the Reds at first glance look to be sellers—and Jonathan India has acknowledged it’s an uncomfortable time of year, as he might be prime trade bait. The only consistency with the Reds right now seems to be inconsistency as the July 30 deadline approaches.
Who wants to win at Wimbledon?
That’s the question on the women’s draw as favorites are disappearing as quickly as strawberries and cream. Aryna Sabalenka withdrew before the tournament because of injury, world number 1 Iga Swiatek lost on Saturday, then number 2 seed Coco Gauff saw probably her best chance to win Wimbledon disappear Sunday in a straight set loss to fellow American Emma Navarro. Gauff seemed frustrated, stymied and generally off her game Sunday to give Navarro an easy move into her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. So who’s left? Elena Rybakina is the 2022 Wimbledon champion and is the second week favorite, but health issues have slowed her game recently. Or Navarro may shock the world. “I’m starting to think, ‘Why not me?’” she said after the Gauff match. And she’s right-why not her?
FC Cincinnati sends a message
Yes, we know Messi and Suarez weren’t there for Inter Miami, (Copa America) but FC Cincinnati made a statement in Saturday’s drubbing of Miami to take the top spot in the conference and regain the lead in the Supporters Shield race. FC took a big step in defending the Shield with the 6-1 domination of second-place Miami, tying its club record for most goals scored. Remember, FC is playing shorthanded itself with a number of injuries, and will be missing defender Miles Robinson again as he joins the U.S. Olympic team after just returning from Copa America. But FC looks strong during this summer stretch, with the Orange and Blue playing host to Charlotte this weekend. FC Cincinnati and Charlotte played to a 1-1 draw earlier this season.
Ben’s Best Bet
Let’s return across the pond to the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, where unlike the ladies’ draw, the gentlemen’s draw is trending all chalk so far. Defending Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and world number 1 Jannik Sinner both are in the quarterfinals and would meet in the semis if both advance. Alcaraz, by the way, defeated Sinner in the French semifinals on his way to his first French Open title. While Bet MGM has Sinner as the favorite to win Wimbledon, Ben says take a spare Euro or two on Alcaraz and trust the young Spaniard to repeat on the grass.