The Key for the week of May 11
One Series Does Not a Season Make…
But if the Reds ever needed one season to turn around their freefall, the one against the Astros was where to do it. Taking two out of three against the former National League team felt like a playoff series win, not just a regular series win. Clutch performances on the mound by Chase Burns and Andrew Abbott put a hard stop on the losing streak and gave Reds bats new life. Speaking of bats, Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo are hitting the cover off the baseball in Louisville, with both batting well north of .300. At a time when the Reds have been starting four players with interstate averages (I-95, I-78), it sure is tempting to put a couple of hot hitting players back with the big club and get some hits in the lineup.
Next move for the King
Yes, we’ve heard this story and seen this movie before, LeBron James is a free agent and is going to take his time deciding where to take his talents. With the Lakers swept out of the NBA playoffs this week by OKC, LeBron has extra time to figure out whether he wants to play, and if he does, where he wants to play. The 41-year-old James played 40 minutes in the series loss that ended a record 23rd season for the Hall of Famer-to be. He was the Lakers’ highest paid player this past season with $52 million in the bank. One thing that might sway his decision—he’s best buds with his coach, JJ Redick. Don’t be surprised if James returns for his 24th and another try for a ring.
Major Golf
With the PGA Tour calendar shifting a few years ago, the PGA Championship, once the last major to be played, now has moved up to second on the list behind The Masters. This year the PGA Championship is being played just outside Philly, at Aronimink Golf Club, not one usually on the majors’ rotation—it’s the first time the club has been the site of a PGA Championship since Gary Player won in 1962. Fun fact, while the LIV golf tour is trying to figure out its future, 11 LIV players will be in the field this weekend, including season points leader Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, who won back to back in Singapore and South Africa so far this season.
Ben’s Best Bet
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have combined to win five of the past nine majors, so chances are probably high that one of them is going to finish first. Bet MGM says Scheffler is the prohibitive favorite over Rory to win, with Cameron Young, who has had a strong 2026, the third favorite. Scheffler has had a hot and cold season so far on tour, so his winning isn’t necessarily a slam dunk. Don’t be surprised if Young has himself a weekend and claims his first major on the PGA Tour.