The Key for the week of September 2, 2025
Matchup with the Mets
After an improbable comeback win Monday against the Jays, the Reds make sure they were still in the wild card race in advance of New York’s visit to GABP this week. And the importance of this three-game home stand with the Mets cannot be overstated: Sweep, and the Reds are deep in the wild card picture. Get swept, and it’s wait until next year. Calling up top prospect Sal Stewart puts another bat in the lineup, and pitching is getting well at the right time. This weekend will go a long way in determining whether it will be a Reds October.
Meet the new quarterback…
Same as the old quarterback for the Browns, as the Bengals get ready to open the season against their familiar division foe. Joe Flacco is making his encore appearance for Cleveland, waiting to turn 41 this December and waiting for whoever the Browns pick as his heir apparent in a crowded quarterback room. For the Bengals, it’s Super Bowl or nothing, although most so-called “experts” don’t even pick them to win the division. At least the Bengals have tape (yes, Ben knows it’s not tape anymore) on Flacco, who lifetime has a 9 win-12 loss record against Cincinnati. Fans are ready for some football, and they can only hope the Bengals defense is ready as well.
How hard can it be?
There’s a good chance that thought crossed Bill Belichick’s mind when he took the North Carolina job, after his six Super Bowl career in New England, and Monday night’s national audition started out the way most people thought, when the Tar Heels marched down the field for 83 yards and the first score of the night.
And then TCU took over.
The Frogs ruined Belichick’s North Carolina debut with a 48-14 thumping with Carolina legends Michael Jordan, Roy Williams and more in attendance. “We’re better than what we were tonight,” Coach B told the media, with 70 new players on the roster learning a new system with a new coaching staff. Next game for the Heels is at Charlotte where we’ll see if North Carolina is indeed better than their opener.
Ben’s Best Bet
After leading in the Supporters’ Shield race for best season record, FC Cincinnati has hit a scoring slump and now is looking up at rival Philadelphia for the top spot. Three home games and three losses to an Eastern Conference opponent total three missed opportunities, with a win on the road in Portland mixed in. Next chance for FC to reverse that trend is Saturday the 13th when Nashville comes to town. As for the odds to win it all, BetMGM has Inter Miami and San Diego FC as equal betting favorites. Then comes Vancouver, followed by Philadelphia and FC Cincinnati. Ben says, don’t count out FC just yet, with new acquisitions and three of the final five matches at home.