Matt’s Take: Reds currently in playoffs; Bengals bungle; Interview with Frank “The Tank” Fleming
By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist
I don’t know how, but the Cincinnati Reds shock the baseball world and now find themselves in a current playoff spot with just six games to go.
Somehow, they found a way to sweep the Cubs right out of Cincinnati, but they need to be nice to the “C” family, as Cincinnati needs them to handle business against the Mets in this next series. I’ve watched nearly every pitch this season, as I do every year, and I can speak for all others who do the same when I say that we are desperate for playoff baseball.
With three games against the Pirates and three games against the Brewers left, Cincinnati now holds their own fate. Keep on winning and get this baseball town into the playoffs. With this pitching staff, I can promise you nobody in the National League wants to see Cincinnati squeeze in. Keep on winning. I can hear that John Sadak clinching the playoffs call and it would be something. Stay hot, Redlegs.
Bengals bungle
Holy moly, where to even begin? Zac Taylor came out with the worst game plan possible, Browning throws an interception, Fant fumbles, Ja’Marr fumbles, and Samaje fumbles all in one half. Somehow though, this will all get blamed on the offensive line and Burrow being out. While not having Joe is terrible, Zac simply cannot call an NFL game. Add that to the mess of turnovers and you see one of the worst games of football in Bengals recent history.
With that said, this team might need to look into getting another quarterback if they have any hopes this season of doing anything. Burrow isn’t coming back this season, I can promise you that. If this team has the desire to be a playoff team, they better start looking outside of Jake Browning. They also better figure out how to hold on to the ball, as the ball was dropped enough times to give the Bengals their largest deficit in history. I muted the second half and flipped on the Reds. We have more important things to worry about right now! On to next week, WOOF!
Interview with Frank “the Tank” Fleming
1.) How did you get started working for Barstool?
“It started with my rant against NJ Transit in 2017. After working part-time for three years, I went full-time in 2020.”
2.) As a Reds writer and fan, I'm rooting for the Reds to make the playoffs. We are chasing the Mets, as you know. What on Earth is happening with the Mets?
“Reds keep hanging in as Mets can't seem to get any momentum or separation. The Reds have a good chance because of the dumb game the Mets played after the ASG, basically punting that Friday night game.”
3.) How is the weight loss journey going?
“It's going well I am under 300 for the first time in 25 years.”
4.) Who are your three favorite Cincinnati athletes of all time?
“Boomer Esiason, Ickey Woods and Pete Rose.”
5.) Have you had Skyline chili? If so, what are your thoughts?
“Not a fan, the dogs, they were bad at Skyline, and I don't like spaghetti, but chili on spaghetti seems weird. I also like spicier chili. Skyline was somewhat bland, lots of cinnamon taste.”
6.) With Burrow's injury, do you see any chance this Bengals team makes the playoffs?
“It's going to be tough; he is their MVP, and I don't know what Browning can be. Mike Brown is a terrible owner who makes the Wilpons look like Steve Cohen.”
7.) If you could trade for any player to join the Mets outside of Judge or Ohtani, who would you choose?
“Paul Skenes.”