In this review, the Cincinnati Reds spend much of last week coming back. Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker earn spots in the Midsummer Classic’s starting lineup. Plus, a new era begins for American college sports.

Cincinnati Reds pass midpoint as comeback kids

Last week marked the midpoint of the year. Plus, the midpoint of the 2021 Cincinnati Reds’ regular season. Coming back from behind was the trend of the week for the Reds. Nick Castellanos lifted the Reds from a 4-2 deficit into a lead Cincinnati would not relinquish. Through a grand slam last Monday night against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The rally began with a base hit in the first at bat of Alejo Lopez’ major league career. Getting the hit off of the first pitch of the at bat. Castellanos’ grand slam was part of one of the biggest games of his career to date. Batting in a whopping seven runs in last Monday’s game. Which the Reds won 12-4, in a makeup game which marked both team’s observances of Lou Gehrig Day.

A day later, the Reds lost game one of series against the San Diego Padres 5-4. Castellanos continued a hard hitting week on Wednesday. With a three run homer in the first inning. Joey Votto hit his 1,000th career RBI in Wednesday’s game. Through a home run, joining a list of Reds legends in the 1,000 RBI club. Which includes Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Pete Rose and Frank Robinson. Votto’s home run lifted the Reds to a 5-3 lead.

The Padres moved ahead with a grand slam to make it 7-5. Despite rain and thunder throughout the fifth inning. Play wasn’t halted until the top of the sixth. With a 2-2 count, nobody on and one out. The game was formally called roughly two hours later.

Last Thursday, Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker clinched spots in the MLB All-Star Game’s starting lineup. Joining Atlanta Braves’ star Ronald Acuna Jr. as starting National League outfielders. The news was announced just after the Reds emerged from a rain delay. All three games against the Padres were disrupted by rain delays. Castellanos and Winker received a standing ovation when the news was announced at Great American Ball Park.

This marks the first time since 1956 that the Reds had two outfielders named All-Star starters. Gus Bell and Frank Robinson were starting outfielders that year. This will be the first All-Star Game appearence for both Castellanos and Winker. Reds prospect pitcher Nick Lodolo will also be a part of MLB All-Star weekend festivities. As a participant in the Futures Game this Sunday in Denver, CO.

Later on Thursday, Tyler Stephenson hit the game winning RBI. With bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth. In a rally started by a game-tying Kyle Farmer home run. Castellanos was intentionally walked before Stephenson’s at bat. The Reds avoided being swept by the Padres both in this series and the season. As the Reds won their seventh and final game against the Padres in the regular season 5-4.

Last Thursday’s game was the first of four come from behind victories for the Reds. As Cincinnati swept the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series during Independence Day weekend. To wrap up a season-high 11 game home stand. The sweep over the Cubs helped the Reds leap into second place in the National League Central standings. The Reds are hitting the road before next week’s All-Star break.

Starting today withe first game in a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Monday and Tuesday’s games start at 8:10 PM Eastern. Wednesday’s game is set to start at 2:10 PM Eastern. They’ll wrap up this week with a four-game series against the NL Central leading Milwaukee Brewers. Thursday and Friday’s games are set to start at 8:10 PM Eastern. Friday’s game can be seen on YouTube and Saturday’s game can be seen on FOX. The rest of the week’s games can be seen on Bally Sports Ohio. Saturday’s first pitch is set for 7:15 PM Eastern. While Sunday’s first pitch is set for 2:10 PM Eastern.

FC Cincinnati wraps up road trip with draw

FC Cincinnati’s three-match road winning streak ended last Saturday. With a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo. Houston’s Tyler Pasher scored three minutes into the match. Which was delayed for nearly half an hour by severe weather. Then FC Cincinnati’s Alvaro Barreal scored the decisive equalizing goal two minutes later. The goal is the earlier equalizer in FC Cincinnati’s history. Barreal spent much of the match trying to fend off an apparent leg sprain.

Next up for FC Cincinnati is the first “Hell is Real” Derby match at TQL Stadium. As FCC hosts the Columbus Crew, the defending MLS Cup champions this Friday. The match is set to start at 7:30 PM Eastern on WSTR-TV (64).

College athlete NIL compensation rule changes take effect

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order last Monday. Allowing college athletes to pursue compensation for the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL). Becoming the second state in the country to do so in that way. Kentucky became the first to do so back on June 24th. Meanwhile, the NCAA’s Board of Directors approved an NIL compensation policy last Wednesday.

The rule change came the day before NIL compensation laws went into effect in several states. The NCAA’s guidance advises schools in states that already passed NIL laws to follow those laws. While giving athletes in states without NIL compensation laws a green light. To pursue endorsement opportunities without violating the NCAA’s amateurism rules. Something some student-athletes nationwide began to cash in on last Thursday.