The Key for the week of May 5, 2025
Home cookin’ not so tasty for Reds
The Reds are back on the road this week and none too soon, as it turns out. The home team lost four times during this last home stand, splitting the series with the Cards and letting the Nationals take two out of three to leave them barely keeping their heads above the .500 mark. First stop in Atlanta left them almost no-hit and with Tyler Callihan with a gruesome broken arm, then Houston is up next. Even with the home town struggles, Cincinnati is hanging around in the NL Central race, with the Cubs and Brewers right there. FYI, the Cubs are at home with the Giants this week before they hit the road to the Mets. One bright spot this past week was Hunter Greene, striking out 12 Nationals in his last outing, showing signs of being the ace the Reds are paying him to be.
Up next, the second leg of the Triple Crown—without a Triple Crown winner
Way back when, it was a given that the Kentucky Derby winner would automatically head to Maryland for the Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown. But with horses not running as often on the racing schedule and future breeding fees much more valuable than three wins in a row, trainers think hard about going to Pimlico on not much rest. That’s why Sovereignty’s trainer, Bill Mott, says he won’t let Sovereignty run again in two weeks, immediately canceling the chance of a Triple Crown winner. Ironically, Mott didn’t get a chance to make a run at the Triple Crown in 2019 after Country House’s victory in the Kentucky Derby. Days after the race Country House contracted a virus and never raced again.
Pickleball, anyone?
If you are one of the more than 48 million people in this country who play pickleball, you’ll want to stop by Sawyer Point this week to watch the Vlasic Classic (is that not the best sponsorship name for any event??). Amateurs join pros and the AARP Champions division for fast and fun pickleball action. Whether you play or spectate, wander down to the courts by the river and enjoy some great pickleball action this week.
Ben’s Best Bet
Even though NYC ended FC Cincinnati’s five match win streak this past weekend, the Orange and Blue are still on solid ground in the MLS Eastern Conference. With Columbus on top of the conference right now, Philadelphia and Cincinnati are tied for second with Inter Miami just a point behind. Mark this on your calendar—FC Cincinnati faces Columbus on May 17, but next up is Austin FC, currently sixth in the Western Conference standings. BetMGM gives FC Cincinnati the edge in this one, and Ben says take the home team and expect FC Cincinnati to start a new win streak.