Week 17: The Check Swing

It's almost playoff time at the Check Swing. Here's a quick look at how the playoff situation is shaping up with one week left in the regular season:

• The first round of the playoffs will be weeks 19 and 20. The seeding is based on overall records (using point totals as a tiebreaker), with the bottom two teams missing the playoffs entirely. The matchups will be 1/8, 2/7, 3/6 and 4/5. To advance, the 7 and 8 seeds must win BOTH week 19 and 20. In the other two series, a 1-1 split would be decided by aggregate scores over the two weeks. 

• Four teams are tied for the lead at 10-7. In an order to be determined, our top four seeds will be E-3, Ryan's Rangers, Arbitration Losers and Pitch You Blockhead. We also have four teams at 8-9.

• Danger Zaun has been eliminated from playoff contention. Enjoy those late-summer tee times, boys! (Also, keep competing for the points championship.)

• The Rookies are in danger of missing the playoffs. They will need a Week 18 win and a loss by either Rocky Mountain High or the Misfits, plus a big point total to overcome a point deficit to earn the tiebreaker.

Don't be sad, Stephen Strasburg. Maybe Danger Zaun will
trade you to a contender.

1. E-3 (2,897 points, 10-7, last week 1): Are the wheels coming off at the wrong time for Adam's team? The pitching staff suddenly doesn't look so strong behind Johnny Cueto, and Allen Craig is a mess right now. 

2. Danger Zaun (2,884 points, 6-11, last week 2): The Reds' lack of offense really hurt a team that relies on three key Reds hitters and Aroldis Chapman. On the bright side, Adrian Gonzalez is hitting again. Too bad Stephen Strasburg has the highest ERA in the Nationals' rotation.

3. Fresh Fish (2,875 points, 8-9, last week 3): Rick's team was in danger of missing the playoffs, but that doesn't look like it'll be a problem now. And with Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu leading the way, the Fish could make some noise in the postseason. 

4. Ryan's Rangers (2,840 points, 10-7, last week 5): A 224-point week helps Bill's squad vault into fourth place in the points. Huston Street should get many more save chances with the Angels, and that will help down the stretch. 

5. Arbitration Losers (2,815 points, 10-7, last week 4): With Jacob deGrom dominating every time out and Denard Span smoking doubles all over the place, Tim is getting big contributions from unexpected places.

6. Tanana in the Tailpipe (2,781 points, 8-9, last week 6): Adding Ben Paulsen to replace Justin Morneau at first base sure looked like a brilliant move this week. If only Matt could find a way to light a fire under Bryce Harper. 

7. Pitch You Blockhead (2,765 points, 10-7, last week 7): Scott's chances down the stretch will depend heavily on the health of Hanley Ramirez and the production of Jay Bruce, who has been mostly awful. 

8. Misfits (2,656 points, 8-9, last week 9): Reid's team put up 181 points despite only getting 4 starts from the pitching staff. And Lucas Duda, who was a free agent until this week, was the Misfits' leading scorer with 24. 

9. Rocky Mountain High (2,652 points, 8-9, last week 8): Troy Tulowitzki got hurt and didn't play, Pedro Alvarez contributed minus-1 point, Carlos Gonzalez was a disappointment, and Dan Haren and Tim Lincecum got lit up. Anything else? 

10. Rookies (2,624 points, 7-10, last week 10): A 4-point loss to Tanana might have doomed Henry's team in the playoff hunt. We'd like to simply blame the Braves, but Aramis Ramirez's 4-point effort was the biggest problem.