In this week’s review, recapping the Cincinnati Bengals 2021 draft class. The Cincinnati Reds wrap up April on a high note. FC Cincinnati opens their new stadium and a May tradition returns.

Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft checklist checkup

Here’s the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2021 draft class.

Round: Pick | Player | Position | College

Rd 1: Pick 5 | Ja’Marr Chase | Wide Receiver | Louisiana State

Rd 2: Pick 46 | Jackson Carman | Offensive Tackle | Clemson

Rd 3: Pick 69 | Joseph Ossai | Defensive End | Texas

Rd 4: Pick 111 | Cameron Sample | Defensive End | Tulane

Rd 4: Pick 122 | Tyler Shelvin | Defensive Tackle | Louisiana State

Rd 4: Pick 139 | D’Ante Smith | Offensive Tackle | East Carolina

Rd 5: Pick 149 | Evan McPherson | Kicker | Florida

Rd 6: Pick 190 | Trey Hill | Center | Georgia

Rd 6: Pick 202 | Chris Evans | Running Back | Michigan

Rd 7: Pick 235 | Wyatt Hubert | Defensive End | Kansas State

The Bengals mostly addressed their pre-draft needs over the weekend. Drafting Ja’Marr Chase to give Joe Burrow another receiving option. After veteran wide receiver A.J. Green’s departure earlier this year. Drafting Chase and Tyler Shelvin reunites Burrow with two of his college teammates. The Bengals hope Cincinnati native Jackson Carmen and D’Ante Smith will give their offensive line a much needed boost. Along with Trey Hill at center; who could have a busy rookie season. Due to the Bengals declining injury-hampered center Billy Price’s fifth year option.

The Bengals made four additions in hopes of boosting their defense. Along with drafting kicker Evan McPherson to fill the vacancy left through Randy Bullock’s recent departure. The Bengals hope Chris Evans can boost the Bengals rushing game. To avoid over-reliance on star running back Joe Mixon. While filling a void left after the Bengals released veteran Giovani Bernard.

Ultimately, the big challenge for the Bengals will be to keep these rookies healthy. Which has been much easier said than done in recent years. Particularly when it comes to the Bengals recent first round selections. Beyond the Bengals, there were many local connections to this year’s draft. Four Cincinnati Football players were drafted last Saturday. The most draftees from the team since 2012. The draft host Cleveland Browns selected offensive linemen James Hudson.

The Washington Football Team selected safety Darrick Forrest with the 163^rd overall pick. Fellow safety James Wiggins and running back Gerrid Doaks were drafted back-to-back. Wiggins was drafted 243^rd overall by the Arizona Cardinals and Doaks by the Miami Dolphins. Four Cincinnati Bearcats were signed as un-drafted free agents. Offensive Lineman Darius Harper, tight end Bruno Labelle, defensive lineman Elijah Ponder and punter James Smith. Harper was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers and Labelle joins Wiggins and the Cardinals. Ponder was signed by the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Smith by the Tennessee Titans.

Cincinnati Reds week in review

The Cincinnati Reds snapped the seven-game losing streak they went into last week with. Through beating the defending world champion Los Angeles Dodgers last Monday. Winning in extra innings through Jesse Winker’s two run homer in the top of the tenth.The Reds went on to win the series two games to one. Beating the Dodgers 6-5 last Tuesday; in a game where former Reds and current Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer was publicly presented with the National League’s Cy Young Award. Bauer won the award last year with the Reds. Becoming the first to win the award with the Reds.

The Dodgers shut out the Reds 8-0 last Wednesday afternoon. Six of the eight runs came in the bottom of the eighth. After traveling home last Thursday, the Reds wrapped up April with a win. Along with a historic Friday night for Joey Votto. Votto hit his 300^th career home run in the bottom of the third. Giving the Reds a lead they would not relinquish. Despite nearly giving up the lead in the top of the ninth.

Ultimately, relief pitcher T.J. Antone saved the game with three pitches. As the Chicago Cubs stranded the bases loaded and the Reds won 6-8. In their first home game since Great American Ball Park’s capacity limit was bumped up to 40 percent. The Cubs chipped away at a 2-0 Reds lead after the first inning last Saturday. Then things got chippy in the bottom of the eighth.

After Chicago’s Anthony Rizzo didn’t take kindly to being struck out by Amir Garrett. After Garrett showcased some swagger and signs of improvement. After Garrett had a few rough outings in April. As the Reds faced their second bench-clearing scuffle against a division rival this season. The Reds’ bottom of the ninth rally fell short and the Reds lost 3-2.

While Cincinnati’s offense was sluggish last Saturday. Last Sunday’s game was an offensive showcase from both teams. Former Cub and current Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos hit two home runs. Along with the game winning hit in the bottom of the tenth. Bringing in four runs in Cincinnati’s 13-12 series-clinching win.

Castellanos hit the first of three Reds home runs in the third. Mike Moustakas and Eugenio Suarez hit back-to-back solo homers in that inning. Suarez also batted in two runs with a single in the sixth. Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart got in on the action with a two run homer in the seventh. This week, the Reds will have two inter-league series. Starting with a two-game home series against the Chicago White Sox. Tuesday’s game starts at 6:40 PM Eastern and Wednesday’s starts at 12:35 PM Eastern.

The Reds will wrap up this week in Cleveland. Taking on the Cleveland Indians in the second leg of this year’s Ohio Cup. With a three-game series starting Friday at 7:10 PM Eastern. Saturday’s game starts at 6:10 and Sunday’s starts at 1:10 PM Eastern.

FC Cincinnati opens TQL Stadium and endures another shutout

FC Cincinnati’s new TQL Stadium formally opened last Saturday morning. While TQL Stadium represents a new era for the club. One old habit is still proving hard to break for FC Cincinnati. Hours after their new stadium’s ribbon cutting, FCC was shutout for a second-consecutive week. Losing 3-0 to Orlando City last Saturday night in Orlando. FCC’s next match will be their home debut and inaugural match at TQL Stadium. That match is May 16^th at 4:00 PM Eastern on FOX.

The Kentucky Derby and a virtual Flying Pig

Medina’s Spirit narrowly won last Saturday’s 147^th Kentucky Derby. Giving trainer Bob Baffert a record seventh Kentucky Derby win. As the Derby returned to it’s traditional date on the first Saturday in May. After last year’s race was held last September due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 51,838 spectators attended Churchill Downs on Derby Day. That’s roughly a third of Churchill Down’s capacity. The most spectators for a single day U.S. sporting event since the pandemic began.

Upstream from Louisville, The Flying Pig Marathon typically follows the day after Derby Day. For the second-consecutive year the formal race didn’t happen on the first Sunday in May. Though people had the chance to participate in a virtual race over the weekend. This year’s Flying Pig Marathon festivities are set to happen from October 29-31.