Matt’s Take – Reds fall short yet again; Bengals preview
The Cincinnati Reds have unfortunately fallen back far enough to become sellers at the deadline. Their lackluster performance in Washington has officially become what I believe to be the nail in the coffin for this Reds season. I guess Joe Biden wasn’t the only person to drop out of the race in Washington this weekend. Of course, I hope I am wrong, but barring another 10-game win streak, I just don’t see Cincinnati making a run at the playoffs this year. Inconsistencies, injuries, and just poor performances have put this team 6 games below .500, dead last in the National League Central, 10.5 games behind Milwaukee, and 4 games back from a Wild Card spot. There are only two teams with worse records than the Cincinnati Reds in the National League, after a winning season from Cincinnati just a year ago.
Some preseason questions for Ohio State and Big Ten
In honor of the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams, here are 18 questions for the league and Ohio State heading into the annual Big Ten Football Media Days on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Indianapolis.
Matt’s Take – All Star break breakdown
July 15 arrived quick and for baseball fans, it’s sad to see that the season is more than halfway over. The good news though? The Cincinnati Reds are very much still alive with a record of 47-50. While it wasn’t an ideal start to the year and as we know, injuries have plagued this roster, but all things considered, Cincinnati is in an “OK” spot at the break. Let’s take a look at some quick facts and comments on the first half of the season:
MLB batting average near half-century low
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Baseball can’t run away from its lack of runs.
Biles has moved past Tokyo Olympics
Simone Biles has spent the last three years moving past the Tokyo Olympics.
Field reports from Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
Sanders says he’s judged on a different scale
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Colorado coach Deion Sanders said Wednesday at his first Big 12 media days appearance that he has to operate under an entirely different umbrella when it comes to expectations.
Paolini reaches her 2nd consecutive Grand Slam final
LONDON (AP) — Jasmine Paolini reached her second consecutive Grand Slam final with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) victory over unseeded Donna Vekic at Wimbledon on Thursday in a rollicking match that lasted 2 hours, 51 minutes, making it the tournament’s longest women’s semifinal on record.
Matt’s Take – Reds sweep, swept, slump
After sweeping the Yankees in the Bronx, I was more than optimistic with the 10 game home stand approaching. Win 7 of those and you’re above .500 before the All-Star Break. However, the Reds once again let us down and failed to take a single game from the Tigers at home. Pitiful is the only word I can use to describe their performance and honestly, 5 or 6 players are being asked to do things or play in scenarios that they have no business playing in due to injuries. It’s a shame, but Martini (now hurt), Jordan, Dunn, Espinal, Rios, and Soto are not big league players right now. Add in the bad start from Marte, the bad season from Benson, and the multitude of injuries, and here we are. It’s a cycle that we simply cannot get out of and after half the year, maybe it is time for me to come to the realization that Cincinnati is not in a spot to make a run this year. I was certainly wrong on the depth of this organization, and it appears I am wrong on thinking that Cincinnati still had a chance to make a run after taking down the Yankees. Cincinnati needs to win six of the next seven for me to truly believe that they have a chance before the break.
Musetti advances to Wimbledon quarterfinals
LONDON (AP) — Lorenzo Musetti just needed a little time to adjust.
