The Key for the week of August 11, 2025
Reds Sprint to the Finish
The latest Reds road trip (the Bristol debacle technically was a home game) garnered a series win over the Cubs and a series split with the Pirates and put the Reds back in the Wild Card conversation with Hunter Greene back in the rotation. Are the Reds in it to win it? The Mets’ recent slump has put the Reds within shouting distance of the post season (if the post season started this week) and with their ace returning to the mound, you can’t help but be optimistic about a Reds October. (barring injury, of course)
Did we learn anything in the Bengals first game?
Other than the fact the #1 offense seemed ready to go? Or that the Al Golden defense still had problems against the run? First, don’t put all that much stock in preseason games—ANY preseason games. In the old days of four preseason tests, game number 3 was the “dress rehearsal” when starters played at least half of the game. Now, it’s game number 2, for the Bengals that’s next Monday against Washington, where we’ll probably see more of the starters. That, apparently includes, Joe Burrow and company. And while Coach Taylor said the defense wasn’t showing all of its cards yet, Bengals fans might feel a little more comfortable if they could see SOME of the cards that will show the defense’s improvement.
Tennis, anyone?
It doesn’t matter if you don’t know Jannik Sinner from Yannick Noah, the Cincinnati Open is the place to be this week. Admit it, how many times have you gone to the Lindner Family Tennis Center and never stepped foot into a stadium or practice court? No shame in that, it’s a see-and-be-seen event when you break out your once-a-year tennis togs and walk around the grounds. If you haven’t been there yet, prepare yourselves for a visual jolt-you’ll think you’re at Roland Garros or the U.S. Open, because the grounds are bigger, the tennis courts go forever and the new building (where the players’ entrance and preferred parking was) is spectacular for the players and for the staff. Just take a look around and enjoy the renovations that truly make this stop a star on the WTA and ATP tours.
Ben’s Best Bet
Last week we talked about the men’s favorites at the Cincinnati Open, this week we’ll look at the women’s draw. As of this writing, the field has gone mostly chalk after the first week, and defending women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed and world number one, is looking to defend her title. Americans Coco Gauff, last year’s runnerup Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys, among others are looking to make a charge. Gauff, especially, since after she won the French Open, she bowed out of Wimbledon in the first round. She’s doubled down on training and preparation to make a better showing going into the U.S. Open, so it wouldn’t be a bad bet to go with Gauff for a deep run in Cincinnati.