The Key for the week of May 18, 2026
If the Reds were in the AL West…
They’d be leading the division with a .500 record. In just about every other division, they’d be in the middle of the pack. Instead, the Reds remain last in the Central, as the May malaise continues for the home team. Nick Lodolo’s still in mid-spring training mode after just coming back from the IL with his blister, Eugenio Suarez is in AAA rehabbing his way back to the big after his oblique strain, and Hunter Greene still has a couple of months to go before his expected return to the rotation. Quick answers? There don’t seem to be any right now as Terry Francona juggles the batting order and tries to find the winning formula. One thing is certain: Chase Burns and Andrew Abbott are a combined 8-3 so far this season and have become the stoppers for the Reds’ slumps. Just like Spahn and Sain and pray for rain, Abbott and Burns are trying to keep the team afloat.
FC Scrambles to advance
FC Cincinnati earned a draw in the final seconds on the road in San Diego to come away with a point as Evander earned two assists for FC Cincinnati in his 199th MLS appearance. FC now stands in 9th position in the conference, with as many draws as losses. Saturday FC Cincinnati comes home to face Orlando, just below the Orange and Blue in 10th place.
Still the Greatest Spectacle in Racing
Even though the 30 Days in May are now down to 24, the Indianapolis 500 is still the real kickoff to the Indy Car racing season. Caitlin Clark is the honorary Grand Marshal, and defending 500 champion Alex Palou is on the pole for Chip Ganassi, looking to become only the seventh driver in history to win back-to-back 500s. Kathrine Legge is also looking to complete racing’s daily double, running the 500 in Indy, then flying to Charlotte to drive in the Coca-Cola 600. She’s only the sixth driver to try the Double. If she completes both races, she will have driven 1,100 miles in one day, something only the “Rushville Rocket,” Tony Stewart, has completed without being a lap down at the end.
Ben’s Best Bet
Speaking of the 500, the pole position is not a bad spot to start—the winner of the Indy 500 has come from the pole position 21 times. Bet MGM is looking at pole sitter and defending champ Alex Palou to repeat on Sunday. Second favorite is David Malukas driving for Team Penske, starting from the outside position of the front row. Conor Daly is third favorite, leaving from the middle position of Row 3. Ben says go with the odds and Chip Ganassi in this one, and expect Palou to drink milk once again in the winner’s circle.