The Key for the week of September 22, 2025
Not Done Yet
The Cincinnati Reds have turned a Mets collapse into a chance at the post season. At the start of the week the Mets and Reds were statistically tied for the last wild card spot, with the Reds holding the tiebreaker as the Mets had gone 7-13 in the last 20 games. The final home series with the Pirates is crucial in padding that wild card spot, because the final series is on the road in Milwaukee, where it’s been three years, one month and 16 days since the Reds have won a series (August 5-7, 2022, to be exact).
But are the Bengals done?
The Bengals picked a bad day to have a bad day in Minnesota, with Jake Browning throwing two interceptions, including a pick 6, and the Bengals unable to hold onto the ball. This one was done by the half when the score was 34-3, and not even a meaningless touchdown in the fourth quarter could save face for the men in stripes. Good news is, the Bengals remain at the top of the AFC North, tied with the Steelers, while Baltimore (with the Monday night loss at home to the Lions) and Cleveland stand 1-2. Next up is a Monday nighter at Denver, where the Broncos are also 1-2.
FC is in
One Cincinnati team we know is in the playoffs is FC Cincinnati, who plays next on Sunday at home with Orlando. FC is still in the Supporters Shield race, two points behind conference-leading Philadelphia. After Sunday the Orange and Blue have two more matches, including the season finale at home with Montreal, to try to take over the Supporters Shield lead.
Ben’s Best Bet
This week is the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, the every-two-years competition between 12 of the top European golfers and 12 of the top U.S. players in a three-day match play competition. Europe won the last time they met but the US leads the all-time series, 27-15-2. BetMGM has the US as a solid favorite on home soil, with world #1 Scottie Scheffler leading the American team. Ben says Team USA is stacked, and is not happy about losing five out of the last seven Ryder Cups. Red, white and blue should be hoisting the cup on Sunday evening.