I would bet all of my baseball cards that at least 2 teams will switch in the standings next week! That may even be too low of a number! And how about the fact that no one is out of it after 14 weeks! By now, some team is always out of the running. That is a testament to all of the great managers in this hallowed league of ours. What was a glean in Randy's eye a mere 6.5 seasons ago is now a Hall of Fame League if there ever was one. There is honestly no shame in last place in this league by any team. There is only a difference of 10.5 games between 6th place and 12 place! From what we have seen with teams coming from behind, nothing would surprise me. Heck, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if any of the teams from #2 to #6 don't make it in. All managers know their stuff and are on top of the game. Yes, even with all that life throws at us, the managers still manage. By the way Rick, I am really praying for you man! That may be all we can do many miles away, but we support you! Now to show you what a strange week this really was!
Zonk 9 vs. Stars 3: Last place vs. 1st place was what looked to be a huge upset. Well in Hardball Heaven, I don't care what place a team is in, anybody is dangerous. In the matchup of Stephen vs. Stephen, I must go with team names, so if Zonk had any kind of pitching this week, Stars would have been in even worse shape. Zonk did exactly what his strategy has set out to do most of the season, which is pitch as many pitchers as possible and try to at least split the points and dominate on offense. It worked this week as the offense was in fine tune. The Mike Napoli pickup was huge, especially since he will be DHing some now due to the Vlad Guerrero injury. Plus, Jimmy Rollins is coming out of his season long slump and had 5 SB's, plus hit .370 with 8 runs. Not a bad week! The trade between B-Man and Zonk has actually worked well for both teams. No losers in that one. Yet, I don't want to discount a huge win by Zonk, which keeps him in the running for now, but the strategy of no bench on offense and plenty of streaming on defense makes me wonder? Is this good for the long haul? Time will tell, but still needs to ride the coattails of a huge victory this week to keep the season alive.
As for Stars, yeah he got crushed, but there is definitely no need to panic. Teams can't win every week and Stars really had a down week, but the team is still in good position 9 games up. I like the fact that Ethier is hitting in front of Manny. His numbers just skyrocket. I really think some of the players on his offense just need a break as in the ASB. I know Brad Hawpe has been tired of late as I keep track of the Rockies, but trust me, at Coors field in July and August, he will hit big. Same with Barmes. If Adrian Gonzalez played for anyone other than the Padres, then his numbers would be even more outstanding. He is getting some of the Albert Pujols treatment as the Pads are lightweights on offense. There is no need to panic for Stars, but this team has shown lately it is beatable and there are some chinks in the armor.
Hitters 5 to B-Man 4: Short story here. It is about 4 o'clock or so and I just get done watching the Rockies come from behind victory over the Braves. So, I walk upstairs to my computer to make my last change for week. Everything is just hunky-dory as I have a 6-5 lead and felt fortunate to come out on top of Hitters for the week. I just needed to drop the 2nd game starting pitcher, Randy Wells of the Cubs to the bench. Well, lo and behold I forgot about the stinking doubleheader between the Cards-Cubs and once the first game starts there are no changes for the 2nd game! AH, I felt just sick as I knew victory was probably gone. The BB's were too close of a call in the matchup and K's would be hard to get. I was behind 7 K's. Plus, Wells couldn't lose or there goes another point. On top of that, I felt compelled to now watch the game on ESPN, which I really didn't want to do. Of course, Wells walks 3 batters, so the lead goes away. The Cubbies offense has killed me several times this season and they do it again, only scoring 2 runs and Wells takes the loss. My only hope is K's to save some face. Ryan Franklin comes in to save the game and I'm behind by 3 K's. I never had so much satifaction losing in a week after watching Franklin whiff the side in order to tie me in K's. I lost by a point, but felt fortunate after the blunder of not pulling Wells early in the day. It just goes to show you how tight the matchup was between Hitters and myself all week. Decisions were tough to make in this one. There is no doubt Hitters can play offense. He only scored 41 runs! But it was his pitching that was a major surprise! Jarrod Washburn has been unbelievable for the Mariners so far. Who in their right mind would think that was going to happen this season? He one-hit the Orioles and then won again by beating the Rangers of all teams. Plus with Happ and Blanton of the Phils getting starts and wins against the hapless Pirates, Hitters defense was cruising to 6 victories this week. Congratulations on a big win! Only one other time have I gotten manhandled in pitching this year and you definitely got the best of me. Tommy and I really did role reversals this week as I beat him at his strength and he beat me at mine. Very strange matchup, but a fun one. If Hitters can pitch like this more often, then the team has a viable shot at doing damage in the playoffs. The real question is .....Can It? For B-Man, if the offense can keep it going like this, then more often than not the team wins the matchup. The real question is....Can It?
Plaz 9 to Hardballers 2: It seemed that before this matchup that Plaz was reeling. Had to face a tough foe in Randy and didn't need to lose ground in the playoff race. Well, a lopsided victory was just what the doctor order for Peter to catapult him to #6. On the other hand, Randy's team is continuing its reeling ways. It is nice to have a cushion as he did, but now that cushion is gone and the team needs to get back on track soon. Looking at Plaz, he has had some great pickups on the WW like Zobrist and now Juan Rivera. Peter always does this. Gets unsung heroes to put his team right in the thick of it practically every year. Plus with Cano and Konerko having what you could call comeback seasons, Plaz has been a pain for teams. All this with his 1st rounder Reyes on the DL too. Has some outstanding pitchers in Santana, Wainwright, and Beckett, but kind of thin after that elsewhere in pitching. Carl Crawford has had one of his best seasons too. Can't forget him. Talk about striking gold. Plaz can definitely move up as far as #2 in my mind. But then again, he may have to fight to make the playoffs. The league wreaks of toughness when I can say that about his team. As for Randy, the offense just doesn't seem to be gelling at once. Getting production, but just not consistently from the whole offense. Are Aaron Hill and Russell Branyan coming back to earth? They had to somewhat. Is the loss of Bruce going to hurt? With Rios, Braun, Morneau, Sandoval, and Longoria, the team is still just too good to keep slumping for too long. The big question to me is the pitching? I know Randy probably disagrees, but there isn't that dominant starter to take control. Verlander is debatable in that regard, but when the offense isn't clicking, the pitching doesn't dominate enough categories the majority of time to pick up the offense. This is really the achilles heal of the team in my opinion. Matchup of the upcoming week has to be Hardballers vs. Squirrels. Must see fantasy tv!
Squirrels 8 to Champs 2: Ed just ran into a buzz saw this week in Juan's Squirrels team! What did Champs do to deserve this fate? Champs had 35 runs, 60 hits, 39 RBI's, 6 SB's, and a .276 avg. and only got one point by swatting 14 HR's. That is just rotten luck there! Squirrels was just phenomenal this week on several fronts! Check this line: 44 runs, 66 hits, 42 RBI's, and a .301 avg. OH MY! Oh yeah, I haven't even touched on the pitching! Do you want to see the line? Well, here it is anyway. 7 W's and 0 L's with a 1.70 ERA. "What's that you say?" "Pretty good!" "Well Yeah! " The only pitcher that is having a rough go of it of late is Chamberlain, so why should I type out all the great pitchers he has. Just take a look yourself and no words need to be spoken. I know, I know, the league can thank me for handing over Jon Lester! I can't stand to see the name of Xavier Nady to this day! This is one of the few teams in the league where I like the pitching more than the hitting. But, when the offense clicks together, then forget about it! As for Champs, this team isn't out of it at all. A-Rod is catching fire. Ryan Ludwick is healthy and now hitting like last year and hits behind Pujols. Ibanez is back for the Phils. Utley is one of the best in the league. Nelson Cruz is the real deal. The offense is killer right now. Even with the pitching injuries, I still like the pitching. Look for this team to stay in the hunt down the stretch. Had some bad luck this week, but this team, like Squirrels, is scary despite the record.
Uticans 7 to Ageless 4: Two teams with injury woes matching up with for the most part below average numbers. Because of the injuries, these two teams, despite being in the thick of the playoff race, don't scare me as much as some of the lower teams really. Ageless did score 34 runs, which is a testament to the team's speed. Also had 9 saves, but whoopee! Couple that with 23 BB's and a 4.65 ERA and who cares how many saves you get. The 9 saves with those other numbers tell me that starting staff is really not that great. Derek Lowe did have a nice start, but look at the rest of the starters (mincemeat!) Aramis Ramirez is back, but when watching him tonight on tv, he still has some lingering effects with the shoulder it seemed. Now with Derosa hurt, OUCH! Mike's team is reeling and it is going to reel itself out of the playoff picture soon in my estimation. It's not too late to make some moves via trade for instance, but this team needs shaken up and fast. The reason I say this is not to poke fun, but the numbers haven't been great for some time now. Look at the beginning of the year start compared to the last several weeks. This is a team going in the wrong direction. Utica on the other hand still has a nice offense, which is going to keep the team in the hunt, but why not get some pithing man? The K's have been dismal all season! 19 BB's to 25 K's? That is putrid. Plus a 5.93 ERA! Oh man, do something! You can't win by offense alone. I have to apologize here as it is getting late and I think I am getting more critical, like when I grade school papers later in the evening, but honestly how do your teams expect to be bonafide contenders with the pitching you have? I know most teams put more emphasis on the offense, but you gotta put up a fight on defense as well. Enough said here!
REDS 6 to Woodie 4: Ok, these are two teams down at the bottom, but I have to give both managers credit. Neither one stops working their team to find the right combination of players. Therefore, both teams are still in contention when it would have been easy to give up and just make sure positions are filled daily with whoever. Rick's team just tore it up on offense this week. How's 38 runs, 74 hits, and a .325 average sound? Took a chance on Mark Teahen and Kurt Suzuki this week and was rewarded nicely. The mainstays of Berkman and Lee also went off. If Sizemore and Ortiz can continue their turnarounds, then REDS can make a run. Same thing with Woodie. This team is powerful on offense. Hopefully Manny and Tejada can make up for some of the power outages that may take place though. Somewhat reminds me of Champs offense, which is loaded with power, but the average and hits can sometimes suffer. Justin Upton has been hot and players like this will have to step up to make a run. The pitching has some unsung heroes, which need to continue and step it up as well like all-star Ted Lilly, Jose' Contreras and Brett Anderson. King Felix has been awesome. It just goes to show that if you continue working your teams, there is still hope.
By the way Plaz, you have your work cut out for you week to week picking in this topsy-turvy league!
BASEMAN
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