Cin City: Year of the Red, Orange and Black?
Every year we think it’s going to be different; that change is on the horizon, and that we’ve learnt from mistakes of the past. Every year we’re fed with the same old belief, holding out some form of inevitably false hope that this year, is going to be different.
And I hate that I often fall for it like other loyal, passionate Cincinnati fans.
But seriously, this year is going to be different.
Don’t just take my word for it. Take a quick glance at the MLB standings.
Sure, the Cincinnati Reds aren’t where they expected themselves to be at this point, but they have already all but guaranteed their spot in this year’s playoffs. As a testament to the strength of the NL Central division (and not to the demise of the rest of the National League), three teams look to be headed to the post-season. This isn’t to say that there is nothing left to play for as October is right around the corner.
With only two games separating the Reds from tied division leaders the Pirates and Cardinals, there is a division leading spot going begging. Nobody wants to be a part of this roller-coaster Wild-Card system that the league has recently implemented. If the Pirates and Reds can’t topple the Cards in the next fortnight, then they will do battle in a one-game playoff to determine who gets to advance to the division series. One game. One night. It’s the ‘Win Or Go Home’ version of major league baseball.
What makes this more interesting is the fact that of the remaining three series for the Reds, two of them are against the Pirates. Alas, what drama awaits us! This year could finally see the Reds overcome that division series jinx that has seen them blow even a 2-0 lead against the eventual World Champion San Francisco Giants. If you want to see intense Major League baseball at its best, then look no further than the final stretch in the NL Central. It’s sure to be one hell of a ride!
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In other Cincinnati related news, the Bengals notched their first win of the season at Paul Brown Stadium against none other than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Okay so this isn’t the same Steeler team that has blown Cincinnati out of its own building 10 of the last 11 times, but it’s a Steeler team nonetheless. As the Steelers limp onwards with a 0-2 record, the resurgent Bengals made a statement Monday night to the rest of the division, and the conference for that matter. Getting huge performances out of their rookie core of Gio Bernard and Tyler Eifert as well a dominating performance on the defensive end, limiting the Steelers to less than two yards of offence in the second half (until times got desperate and Pittsburgh went all guns blazing in an attempt to close the gap.
These desperate stats are scoffed at in Cincinnati). Even with AJ Green limited to a below 50 yard game, the Bengals looked in control of the entire match, mixing a running game nicely with a passing game that focused primarily on underneath routes, tormenting the Steelers’ secondary.
Next up for the Bengals? Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
Let’s put it into perspective for a moment. The favourites to represent the AFC in the Superbowl are Peyton Manning’s Broncos, a pass first team (obviously), with a quarterback whose name goes down in history alongside some of the greatest to have ever graced the field. Rodgers is certainly that, so this game provides the Bengals an opportunity to show the rest of the league why their defence should be taken seriously, giving credence to the dramatic double-take expressions from those quite literally astounded with the likes of Geno Atkins and Vontaze Burfict, stuffing the opposition’s running attack whilst simultaneously knocking quarterbacks to the floor with consummate ease.
With the Reds playoff bound and the Bengals looking like one of the toughest opponents in the NFL right now, I don’t want to get ahead of myself (again). But honestly…
…this year is going to be different.