Just like Celtics-Lakers rivalry once again in the NBA Finals, it's the same ol', same ol' for Hardball Heaven in the league standings. I know that it probably gets a little old and tiring as the Lakers-Celtics matchup in the finals doesn't do it for me anymore, but it is what it is. Currently both BASEMAN and Stars are atop the standings and we won't relinquish supremacy that easy. There have been teams like the Spurs (aka, Plaz and REDS), who occasionally crash the party, but Hardball Heaven reminds me of Chamberlain-Russel, Bird-Magic, and Kobe-vs. the Celts. Just like Lebron James reaching for league supremacy, will there be an upcoming team looking to captivate just like the "King?" I'm not ready for this to happen, but some team somewhere may want to force the issue and be a fantasy media darling this summer!
Now here's the week's recap.
BASEMAN 11 to Hardballers 1: I have to admit that this score shocked me after week's end. Not many teams have this much of a point discrepancy over Randy, plus this was #1 vs. #2 in roto points. Not likely for this score to happen, but one never knows. First of all, I am going to give my team major publicity right now. May be B-Man's best team ever in my estimation. Doesn't mean I will win the title in the end, but this team is built for balance, even without Kendry Morales. Yes, there was the year where I was in front all season, but this is different. The league is much tougher as a whole and all participants pay attention to detail. Losses will happen, but the discrepancy of my wins says something. Being picked to finish towards the bottom of the league at the beginning of the year was quite the mistake. This team is 1st in runs scored, HR's, and SB's, 2nd in runs and RBI's, and 5th in average. Now if that isn't balance, then I don't know what is. In pitching, the team is 2nd in W's and ERA, and 4th in saves and losses. This staff wasn't given much of a chance in the beginning of the year, but is proving the naysayers wrong. Jimenez and Lester are bonafide ACES and Billingsley, although not an Ace, hasn't done too bad himself. There it is in a nutshell. Ok, I am bragging about my team here, but after a week where all my offensive stats beat every other team 6-0, then I can officially do so. Like I have said before, give me a reason to give a little braggadacio about your team AND I WILL DO SO!
As for Randy, despite the score being lopsided against his team, he still posted some good numbers. I mean getting 74 hits will win a point probably 90-95% of the time. I mean this is a team that belted out 19 hits on Sunday! That is impressive. One looks at the lineup and there are absolute hitting machines on it. Cano can compete for league MVP in my mind and doesn't slow down. Prado for the Braves continues to pound out hits atop the order. Ethier is having a stellar season for the Dodgers. We all know about Fielder and Sandoval. The team may have got jipped this week playing a hot B-Man team, but it is for real and will be competing for a first round bye in the playoffs throughout the summer. Not sure about letting Kurt Suzuki go out there on the waiver wire, but a big thank you as Kurt blasted 3 HR's for me this week with 6 runs, 6 RBI's and a .355 average. Thanks Randy!
Champs 6 to Stars 4: This was another colossal matchup this past week and Ed's team proved it can play with the big boys once again. Champs pitching is just phenomenal! All pitching stats are in the top half for roto stats (1st in W's and ERA, 2nd in Losses and BB's, 5th in saves, and 6th in K's). Finished with a 1.74 ERA this week. Give me a break! Killing all teams in ERA for the season. David Price has come into his own and is shutting down the opposition. Phil Hughes is doing the same for the Yanks. Now if Stephen Strasburg does the same, Yikes! The bullpen of Rivera, Bell, and Franklin is one of the league's best. But with all that pitching it still took a good offensive week to barely steal the victory away from Stars. A-Rod finally gets is going and so did Brian McCann to finish off with 34 runs and 34 RBI's. Ed's team is a legit playoff contender, but to compete at the top will need to have more consistent production from the offense. This week it happened and we shall keep our eye on Stanton for the Marlins. Ed loves to make moves for up and comers. With an offense that needs some more output, why not take the chance? It could make the difference on offense and for Champs season to continue in the upper echelon. Stephen made a similar move by picking up Buster Posey. The Giants are going to give Posey AB's and opportunities to play. Why else call him up, so if this move pans out, then Stars is all the better for it. Colby Rasmus had a big week for Stars with a .438 average and 7 runs scored. Joey Votto came back nice after missing some games due to injury. Aramis Ramirez, although not playing much for Stephen these days, looks to be finally coming around a little bit after watching him in action. If he gets hot, then some newly injected power will be added. The team has a good blend of speed and power. But for some reason, some weeks I am sold on this team and some weeks I am not. Stars is getting wins, but there is definite underachievement from some players. The potential is there for this team to break out, but then again, there is potential for this team to slide. I just am not sure what way this team will go, both offensively and defensively? Very puzzling to me? Any thoughts from the league? Usually I have a good read on teams and Stars is succeeding obviously at 2nd place overall, but not sure if this is a legit title contending team or not?
Hitters 5 to Squirrels 4: Tightly contested matchup here with Hitters getting the victory despite one point in pitching. Hitters can thank Ichiro with 13 hits for the week and 4 SB's! Cliff Lee is proving the M's made a good move, albeit maybe for less than a year though, by acquiring him from Philly. He rarely walks anyone and has good K's. Man, if Philly still had him! Good pickup of John Axford as he looks like the closer at least for now in Milwaukee. At least Tommy got rid of a Cubs pitcher in Randy Wells! Brett Cecil is another nice pitcher to have along with the surprise of Carlos Silva who tamed the Buccos today. I still think a trade is in order if this team wants a playoff position. Otherwise, I say no way despite a victory over a good Squirrels club. Juan is getting solid production from Mike Napoli. Napoli with regular playing time now, may just be what he needed. Loads of power and along with Pujols, Reynolds and Vlad, this team will should show some more pop. Ricky Romero doesn't get his due as a pitcher in Toronto and produces good numbers. Can Ely continue and do the same in LA? If Haren comes around, then watch out. This team can make a run UPWARD in the standings. Big win by Tennessee this week in a big upset in my mind.
Ageless 7 to Utica 4: I know Kerm thought that by picking Ageless, he would find victory, but Mike's team continues to surprise the hell out of the league. One of the shortest staffs in the league managed to find a way to get 4 victories and tie Kerm there. The strategy of pitching fewer innings than anyone almost every week seems to work. The ERA was a measly 2.24 with everyone having good weeks, except Trevor Hoffman. Let's just say, "YOU CAN HAVE HIM!" Adrian Gonzalez and Garret Jones went bonkers this past week to help overcome a good hitting Utica team. Utica's pitcing stunk up the joint this week and came back to earth. The same old Utica, most of the time not much pitching, and hoping the offense can beat you. The offense wasn't too bad, but Ageless had a better week. Utica has run into some tough luck to say the least. Youkilis and Berkman led the way, and Zobrist just continues to hit. Berkman is finally getting back to his old self, which can only help the fallen Uticans. Good job getting Gallardo in a trade, but too many question marks in the starting staff and relief. Kerm does have enough to challenge for a playoff spot despite the slow start, but not enough to be competitive on a regular basis with the upper tier.
REDS 7 to Plaz 3: Very tightly contested contest on offense, while pitching was a blowout. For Rick's Reds, he gets continued production for M. Cabrera, who is probably AL MVP right now. David Wright has bounced back from a down 2009 season. REDS offensive numbers prove impressive, but took a step back this week despite decent HR's at 9 and an ok average at .279. Averages are down this season, so that number isn't too bad. Roids era seems to be gone and offensive numbers are down. The game is no longer a pinball machine! Mike Pelfrey has been a nice surprise for Rick and Lidge is now back for the Phils. What will Rick get there?? Adam Wainwright continues to be a reliabe ace. REDS team can be a pain, but needs some more speed to be a threat week in and week out. On the other hand, it is got to be tortorous for perennial contender Plaz. Offesnively was ok in some areas with Tulo, J. Hamilton and Vernon Wells leading the way. Chase Utley needs to get back to old form. In a slump right now. Still has some potent offensive weapons, but the pitching is a disaster right now. Even "The Great Greinke" is having problems. It has to be tough pitching in KC, where they just don't give him much run support and now he is giving up more runs than usual. Hamels ERA was 40.50. If those two pitchers are on, the Plaz is in serious trouble with no depth. Streaming was in no short supply as I see about 14 different starters were used. That may be a record. I'm all for streaming, but hopefully only 1 to 2 pitchers a week at most should have to be utilized. This was going to a new level and only provided 2 W's and 8 losses with a 6.89 ERA. Most of the time when streaming takes place so many times in a week, the only thing being chased is W's and K's. And that didn't even come close to happening for Plaz this week. The pitching is in absolute disarray and I don't see it getting much better. It totally sucks to have to hope and pray waiver wire pitchers are going to pull you through for a few points each week. It is not a recipe for success the majority of time. Due to a streaky offense and poor defense, Plaz is going to have to just chalk this year up to a learning experience of how not to assemble a team in the future. Like I said before the season started, it is going to be a long one for Plaz.
White Flag 6 to Zonk 5: Another tightly contested matchup, especially on offense. Both teams put up good numbers really. White Flag has been impressive lately since the name change as the team is keeping contests close and numbers are improving. Matt Kemp, Holliday and V. Mart showed their capabilities this week as did Tori Hunter. They have to keep producing for Timmy though. There are some holes otherwise. Very balanced attack against a solid hitting Zonk club. The pitching of Timmy's team is ok, but nothing spectacular and Matt Capps seems to be coming to earth after 16 of 16 saves to start the year. I think that's right. I love Matt Cain and Garza (when he's on), and Santana is doing better of late. Big win this week, but not sure if the team has enough "Juice" to get over the hump after a slow start. Had to use some of a former name, since there have been so many. For Zonk, his roto stats show power and there was nothing short of that this week in HR's, but fell victim of 1 point losses in SB's, Runs, and RBI's. Another team like Utica that has run into bad luck in timing. Scott Rolen has turned back the clock like it was the 90's again in good old St. Louis. If he can stay healthy, then I believe he will continue to hit. The key is staying healthy! Thank goodness the team has some high average guys like Mauer, Butler, and for the moment Morneau because despite all the power, other numbers can suffer. I like the pitching more so than the past Zonk clubs. Team is underachieving, but don't look for that to continue as things tend to balance themselves out. Could upset BASEMAN this week too!
Hope you all enjoyed the latest installement of The Week in Review!
BASEMAN
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