MLB Outlook & 32 in 32: Cincinnati Bengals

Scott Seidenberg and Colby Marchio run down the latest in Major League Baseball and we continue our 32 teams in 32 shows NFL previews with the Cincinnati Bengals.

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⚾ POP THE CHAMPAGNE: THE STREAK IS OVER

Marlins 8, Phillies 7 (Walk-Off)

How it ended: Three runs in the bottom of the ninth off Phillies closer Jhoan Duran. The skid stops at 12.

⚠️ THE WHEELER RED FLAG

Last night's line: 3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H (2 HR), 1 BB, 6 K

The concerning part: They pulled him because his velocity was down through all three innings. Management and trainers are checking on him — fatigue, or something else.

The context: First time Wheeler allowed five runs in a start since May 2025.

For everyone holding Cy Young tickets at +750 through 16/1 — this is the one to watch.

⚾ The Rest of the Board

Yankees 9, White Sox 5 — the Sunday night fade did NOT come through. Max Fried regressed hard in start two off the IL: 3 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 4 K, 2 BB.

Mets 14, Braves 3 — Francisco Lindor drove in SIX. Scott: "Perhaps auditioning for a team that's going to trade for the shortstop."

Deadline: August 3rd.

⚾ COLBY'S SEGMENT: THE 18/1 YANKEES BET

He's Doing It Live

The bet: Yankees to MISS the playoffs — 18/1

Colby: "I'm betting this after I hit stop on this recording. And this is my favorite team."

The Case (via FanGraphs)

Colby: "They're lifeless without Aaron Judge. A very, very, very, very bad team. They have NO reason to be +100 to win the AL East. They're a corpse. The Rays should be even money. Great pitchers, great upside — you've got no offense. Unless they pick up the phone."

On the front office: "I guess they don't own a phone. They need a shortstop — why aren't they calling on CJ Abrams, Zach Neto, or Bobby Witt?"

The Red Sox Position (Updated)

The trade so far: Connelly dealt for Curtis Mead. ("Producer Matt was laughing — the Nats got Mead for nothing.")

The need: OFFENSE, badly. Names in the air: CJ Abrams, Zach Neto, even Bobby Witt Jr.

Colby's board:

Colby: "I have a ton of futures on the Red Sox now. The rotation is absolutely deadly. Still good prices."

🏈 NFL: VITA VEA REQUESTS A TRADE

The Situation

The details: Extension talks stalled. His agent told ESPN he's requested a trade. He was a hold-in during mandatory minicamp last month. Age 31, entering the final year of a four-year, $71M deal.

Why He's Worth It

Most double teams faced last season:

The production: 14 QB pressures AFTER being double teamed (6th most in the NFL), 40 total pressures (tied 9th among all DTs, per Next Gen Stats).

🏈 32 IN 32 : CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Market

Awards: Joe Burrow +900 MVP (3rd, behind Allen +650 and Lamar +850) | Ja'Marr Chase 10/1 OPOY (behind Jahmyr Gibbs +650 and Bijan Robinson +900)

The Strength: Rare Continuity

ALL ELEVEN offensive starters return.

OC Dan Pitcher says the offense can be more explosive this year. On Burrow: "Above anything, Joe wants to win and wants us to be able to do whatever it takes to win. He has trust that whatever we're going to ask is because we've put the work in and done the cost-benefit."

The caveat: Health. Burrow missed a ton of time with the toe injury.

THE STAT OF THE PREVIEW

Scoring 33+ Points, Last Two Seasons

(via Todd Fuhrman)

Scott: "Let that sink in. Even without Burrow, with Flacco and Browning, they finished 12th in points. They had a stretch scoring 33, 38, and 42 — and went 1-2."

The reason: The defense. 30th in points allowed, 31st in yards allowed. 

The Fix: Dexter Lawrence

The move: Traded the 10th overall pick to the Giants for Dexter Lawrence — "probably the best defensive tackle in the NFL" (and, per the Vea data above, the most double-teamed player in football).

The stakes: "If this defense struggles like last year, it's not just DC Al Golden out of a gig — it's likely head coach Zac Taylor too." No playoff appearances in three seasons.

The Schedule

Third easiest schedule in the NFL by Vegas win totals.

Scott: "Ten wins is extremely doable. But will 10 wins be good enough for a wild card in the AFC? And how many does it take to win the North?"

The Verdict

Scott: "There's a reason they're -198 to make the playoffs, and I agree with those odds. I see them as a playoff team. But a Super Bowl contender? Not unless this defense takes a drastic step forward. There are too many other, more complete teams in the AFC. Bengals wild card team, yes. Winning a game in the playoffs? Probably not."

📅 Coming Up

32 in 32 This Week

• Wednesday: Cleveland Browns
• Thursday: Pittsburgh Steelers
• Friday: Houston Texans (AFC South begins)

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