It's big-question week at the Check Swing. We'll take a look at each team and put the spotlight on one aspect of it as we move closer to the playoffs.
1. E-3 (2,301 points, 9-4, last week 1): Adam's team cruised to another win thanks to 24 points from stud outfielder Andrew McCutchen and more of the same from the Cueto-Hammel-Beckett rotation. Who needs Matt Cain, right? BQ: How bad is David Wright's injured shoulder? Let's hope he doesn't become the next Ryan Zimmerman, chucking grenades from third to first.
2. Ryan's Rangers (2,277 points, 9-4, last week 2): Bill's team dispatched the Fightin' Logginses of Danger Zaun, no thanks to a big fat zero from Chris Owings and puke-worthy efforts from Jon Jay and Chase Anderson. Good thing Matt Adams, Gio Gonzalez and Ryan Braun saved the day. BQ: Will Nolan Arenado's return provide the push the Rangers need to catch E-3?
3. Fresh Fish (2,274 points, 5-8, last week 4): It's looking like Rick made the right move in taking Clayton Kershaw with his first-round pick, isn't it? Kershaw put up 46 points across two starts as the Fish posted a FBLG-high 199 points this week. BQ: Could Rick persuade the Giants to start using Mike Morse at second base? That would solve his Espinosa problem.
4. Danger Zaun (2,253 points, 4-9, last week 3): Can anyone figure these guys out? First, they could pitch but not hit. Now the pitching is a mess but the lineup is potent. Kudos to Stephen Strasburg, Zack Wheeler and Andrew Heaney for combining for minus-1 across four starts.
BQ: Is the fourth-highest scoring FBLG team really in danger of missing the playoffs?
5. Pitch You Blockhead (2,184 points, 9-4, last week 6): Jay Bruce and Adam LaRoche fueled Scott's team to another victory, this time over Tanana. Imagine what would have happened if Martin Prado and Domonic Brown had done ... well, anything. BQ: Has anyone trademarked a Hanley Ramirez Injury-of-the-Day Calendar?
6. Tanana in the Tailpipe (2,173 points, 6-7, last week 5): The biggest news regarding Matt's team came out of Double-A Harrisburg, where Bryce Harper hammered three homers in one rehab game. Tanana isn't far from a complete return of a Harper-Yelich-Lagares outfield. BQ: Isn't Matt due for another upgrade at catcher? FBLG insiders say Tuffy Gosewisch is due for a breakout.
7. Arbitration Losers (2,127 points, 6-7, last week 7): Tim's team continues to spin its wheels. Josh Harrison and Jake Arrieta were standouts, but Junior Lake, Jean Segura and Gerrit Cole were awful. Freddie Freeman can't do it by himself, you guys. BQ: Will things improve if Cliff Lee returns and gets traded to a team that actually scores some runs?
8. Rocky Mountain High (2,120 points, 6-7, last week 8): Tim Lincecum's no-hitter was the big boost for Jon's team, which ended its losing streak in style. Pedro Alvarez's bat woke up, and it's about time, too. BQ: Doesn't it seem like Rocky Mountain High should have some Colorado pitchers to go with all of those Colorado outfielders?
9. Misfits (2,062 points, 6-7, last week 9): It's hard to figure out what's going wrong with this team. Madison Bumgarner is an ace, Daniel Murphy has been fantastic and Hunter Pence is producing like usual. But Joey Votto is a No. 3 hitter who's putting up numbers like a No. 7 hitter. Wilin Rosario has been disappointing, too. And thanks for nothing, Everth Cabrera. BQ: Are the Giants really taking Sergio Romo out of the closer role?
10. Rookies (2,046 points, 5-8, last week 10): Paul Goldschmidt putting up a 4-point week spells disaster for Henry's team. Justin Upton was a powerhouse, posting 24 points, but Evan Gattis got hurt and didn't offer much help. BQ: What the heck happened to Ervin Santana over the past two months?
