This week I entitled the Week in Review "Some Things Never Change" because our two current top of the standings leaders seem to always find a way to come out on top despite what looked like long odds for most of the week. You guessed it. Stars and Hardballers are always tough to take down!
Stars 6 & Plaz 5: It took 18 innings in the D-Backs vs. Padres game on Sunday evening for Stephen to pull out in front, but thanks to a Mark Reynolds blast, he took this one out from underneath Peter's nose. Plaz had good production for only 49 hits as Zobrist and Pence had a great week, but despite winning RBI's and steals, while tying for HR's, it just wasn't enough. Stars had 67 hits and 38 runs from his all-around solid squad. Neither team really rocked in pitching, except in ERA. Otherwise the numbers were just ordinary as both team split. This was a closely contested matchup, but doesn't it just seem that Stephen finds a way to win in the end this year? Tough one for Plaz, but his team is right in the thick of it, and they can obviously play with anyone.
Hardballers 7 & Hitters 5: Oh Man! Timmy is living a nightmare so far this season. Talk about one great opportunity to beat a top notch team and it falls by the wayside on Sunday! Oh Man! On the other hand, last week's tough luck loser was this week's fortunate winner! I wouldn't say lucky, but fortunate as the pitching had to carry Randy to victory as the offense stumbled big time. The only way the numbers even look semi-respectable is due to a large offensive push on Sunday. Took the lead on SB's after being down and pushed ahead in HR's. What is most amazing is that Tommy had a 2.02 ERA and lost all other pitching categories! How is that for crappy luck? Randy didn't even have to throw his starters on Sunday, which is even more amazing than the previously amazing stat!! Talk about screwing the pooch for Hitters. How can a team like Hardballers hit .190 for the entire week and walk away with a 7-5 victory!!!
I feel for Timmy right now as this was his chance to make some positive headlines. But, there is always next week and Hitters is still in the hunt. It just hurts to let a great opportunity get away. We all know that somewhere along the line.
Squirrels 7 & B-Man 3: Let's just say I knew I was doomed when Swami picked me to beat Squirrels. Hardly been picked all year to win a matchup, but have lost now each time. This contest was close, but Squirrels always seemed to still have the upper hand. Easily, this could have been a major blowout for Squirrels. But, a few breaks here and there and B-Man could have very well been on top. Squirrels pitching was just phenomenal this week. K:BB was 62 to 16 with a 2.58 ERA. No one has taken both BB's and K's this year and B-Man, but Squirrels did! ERA was just decided by .06 with B-Man at 2.64. The 2 runs given up by Lincecum in the 8th inning being the difference maker. Offensively, it was pretty tight in some categories. Squirrels won RBI's 31-30. Dang you Victorino!! B-man did win hits 51 to 50 and avg. .246 to .242. Let's just say I am fortunate not to get blown out and getting only 1 point. Pitching was fun to watch in this matchup, but the offense was paltry. What else would someone expect in a matchup against B-Man? B-Man needs a break from all the drama on Sundays, especially Sunday nights. I wish ESPN would cut all of those games as it seems every week points come down to the last game. Nice victory Juan! Your team is definitely top tier calibur!
Utica 6 & Champs 6: Only if your team is getting your ass kicked throughout the week and then you come back to tie, is about the only way to look at it as a victory of sorts. This contest was close throughout and about what one would expect with these two quality clubs. Utica beat Champs on offense for the most part, while Champs beat Utica on defense. No surprise here. Champs had the power stats RBI's and HR's, while Utica showed a bit more speed. Although I will say that Champs is making a move to improve his speed with the Gardner and McCutchen pickups. Why not? Utica has a hot Matt Holliday on his hands and that is needed now that Hamilton is on the DL. Now Kerm needs Vlad to get going. He has some left, but his best years are definitely behind him. Did I mention how I loved him when he played for the beloved Montreal Expos! I think I have! These two teams basically played to their strengths this week and came out with a tie. Both teams will be battling for playoff position all season long and have the ability to beat even the heavyweights.
REDS 7 & Ageless One 3: Well, Rick's team took my advice last week and decided to pick it up a little bit. Watch out for Berkman, Carlos Lee, and last but not least, David Ortiz (picked off of waivers!) These guys are getting hot and that means more power from the Big Red Machine. Oh yeah, and Stephen Drew had a good week. Rick is nowhere near out of this thing. Overall, the numbers still weren't ecstatic, but they are going to come. Ageless had great SB numbers, which were bound to come, but not much else to shout about really. Did take HR's with 5. Again, Mike's pitching is letting him down. A nice ERA of 3.49, but nothing else really stands out. Lackey, Lowe, and Shields are decent pitchers, but not a dominant staff. Not a ton of K's on this staff. I do like Shoo on offense as he fits in well with this squad. This team really does remind me of last year's team. They are going to scrap and hustle and the like on offense as there aren't too many players where your jaw just drops, but they are just good enough to beat you too on a lot of weeks. When Quentin and Ramirez come back, I really like this club's chances. Except for this week of course as Rick's team may be on the rise!
Morning Wood 8 & Zonk 3: Two teams that are desparately trying to salvage their seasons made a big trade this past week. If Justin Upton can continue on his tear and B.J. Upton starts hitting to his potential, then Timmy can do some damage and salvage his season. It's not too late for either team. Zonk really had some strange offensive numbers to comment on. Had a wonderful 12 HR's as his team is powerful, but only 22 runs, only 42 hits, and a .219 avg., and this is with Ichiro on the team and all his hits. Plus, Chipper had a huge Sunday. Besides HR's, not much else happening for his team this week.
Do I dare say anything about Pavano and Moyer again? I better not as these two birds showed my I'm cuckoo after my comments last week. These two, plus Jered Weaver, Josh Johnson, Lilly, F. Hernandez and Arroyo have been legit. They only posted a 2.10 ERA! Not too shabby! Therefore, I will shut my mouth this week about his staff as they even posted a nice 50:17 K:BB ratio in dominating Zonk. Zonk's staff does not impress at all though after another bad week. The one constant is saves as his staff held a league leading 9. Saves obviously are not the answer to a quality club as Zonk leads everyone in that category for the year. By the way Zonk, I do want to include your first name in these posts, but don't know it. I would like to personalize my comments more for you.
Have a blessed week everyone!
Mark Porcher (a.k.a. BASEMAN)
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