Playoffs Week 2: Thursday Roundup

Cole Hamels has an ERA of 0.79 with the Cubs. We hear that's pretty good. 

Are we the only ones who miss the powder blue
uniforms of the 1980s?

STUDS: Anthony Rizzo (PYB) homered, singled, scored twice, drove in 3 and walked. Sean Newcomb (SG) struck out 8 Marlins and got the win in 6 shutout innings. Aaron Nola (PM) outdueled Max Scherzer, striking out 9 and not allowing a run in an 8-inning win. Cole Hamels (AL) dominated again, going the distance for a win against the Reds, allowing 1 run and fanning 7. Javier Baez (FF) was a triple short of a cycle, scored 3 runs and stole a base. Madison Bumgarner (R) matched Jacob deGrom but got the win because the Mets are a disgrace. Bumgarner struck out 8 in 8 innings and allowed 1 run.

DUD: Legendary 1960s country singer Kirby Yates (FDD) blew his first save of the year by serving up a game-winning homer by Ian Desmond. Yates allowed 2 runs in 0.2 inning and took the loss, but he did strike out 2.

Playoffs Week 2: Wednesday Roundup

We don't understand Clay Buchholz's success in Arizona, but we're willing to use this picture of him.

STUDS: Jack Flaherty (FDD) struck out 10 and allowed a run in a 6-inning no-decision. In the same game, Walker Buehler (M) struck out 9 in 7 shutout innings... in a no-decision. Oh, Dodgers bullpen. Christian Yelich (M) homered, doubled, singled twice, drove in 2, and was caught stealing. We're none of us perfect. Bryce Harper (AL) doubled, singled twice, scored twice, stole a base and drove in 1. Julio Teheran (AL) struck out 5 and allowed a run in 7 innings for the win. Clay Buchholz (BM) earned the win with 7 strikeouts in 7 shutout innings, somehow. Noah Syndergaard (BM) struck out 6 and allowed 2 runs in 6 innings for the win. Justin Bour (FF) homered, doubled, drove in 2, and went on the DL right after the game. Paul Goldschmidt (CB) was a triple shy of the cycle, walked, scored twice and drove in 2.

Some of that 1/3 is apparently eroding.

DUDS: Jorge Alfaro (SG) singled and erred (aka "The Villar"). Brandon Crawford (PM) walked and made 2 errors and, honestly, not much makes us happier than that greaseball making errors. Seranthony Dominguez (CB) allowed 2 runs in 0.2 innings, blowing the save, taking the loss and, worst of all, making Ryan Zimmerman the walkoff hero again.

ROUND ONE PLAYOFF SCORE UPDATES
Through Wednesday's games

• No. 1 Fasano Don't Dance 306.2, No. 8 Pitch You Blockhead! 286.8
• No. 7 Bodysuit Man 244.5, No. 2 Fresh Fish 174.5
• No. 3 Arbitration Losers 302.5, No. 6 Project Mayhem 225.3
• No. 4 The Misfits 279, No. 5 Stable Geniuses 2216.8
• No. 10 Clemente's Bucs 253.3, No. 9 The Rookies 232.8

With tonight's walk-off HR, Ryan Zimmerman has tied David Ortiz and Tony Perez for 8th most in @MLB history. (11) pic.twitter.com/M0jfb6BWTD

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 23, 2018

Playoffs Week 2: Tuesday Roundup

Not totally sure what's happening here, but we like it.

STUDS: Kevin Gausman (FDD) twirled 8 shutout innings with 5 strikeouts for the win. Colonel Dansby Swanson (PYB) hit a pair of 2-run homers and finally fought off his lingering dysentery. Brad Boxberger (SG) picked up the win with a 2-strikeout, 0-run inning. David Peralta (R) was a triple shy of the cycle, walked, scored twice and drove in 3.

DUDS: Jonathan Villar (PM) might as well rent a room on this list, as he again singled and erred. Justin Turner (AL) was 0-fer with an error, as was Mike Moustakas (BM).

BECAUSE WE MISSED IT YESTERDAY: This is how the Mets lost Monday.

100% organically grown free trade Mets. Hook it to your veins.

Playoffs Week 2: Monday Roundup

Zach Wheeler looks around for some run support, defensive support, bullpen support, anything really.

STUDS: Zach Wheeler (PM) continued his hot stretch, striking out 10 in 7 innings and allowing 1 run. Did he get the win? Well, he's a Met, so.... Matt Carpenter (AL) was a triple shy of the cycle and scored twice. Chase Anderson (CB) struck out 6 and allowed 2 runs in a 6-inning win.

DUDS: There were no official duds, but Kenley Jansen (CB bench) came back from the DL and allowed 2 homers to take the loss.

Playoffs Week 1: The Check Swing

Always remember that enjoying a homer like this gives idiots license to throw baseballs at you. Right, Keith Hernandez?

We're at the halfway mark of the postseason's first matchup, and we've got some teams with ground to make up. It's like some of you didn't want to make the playoffs at all! You know, like the Nationals.

We'll wait and wrap up the full matchups after this week, so here's the updated standings and leaderboard... which we're doing for you by hand, because ESPN just stops caring about everything once the playoffs start, apparently. Feel free to check our math.

Fasano Don't Dance has expanded its lead, but Project Mayhem and Stable Geniuses are both still in striking range of the overall points title. Fresh Fish, Arbitration Losers and Pitch You Blockhead are in a battle for fourth, with The Misfits still hanging around.

The scoreboard

1. Fasano Don't Dance (3622.7 points, last week 1)

2. Project Mayhem (3525.2 points, last week 3)

3. Stable Geniuses (3512.2 points, last week 2)

4. Fresh Fish (3454.7 points, last week 4)

5. Arbitration Losers (3440.2 points, last week 5)

6. Pitch You Blockhead (3428.5 points, last week 6)

7. The Misfits (3376.8 points, last week 7)

8. The Rookies (3199.6 points, last week 9)

9. BodySuit Man (3187.4 points, last week 8)

10. Clemente's Bucs (3168.4 points, last week 10)

Curveball Nuns would be a pretty great band name.

Hitting leaders after Week 19

1. Freddie Freeman (R) 394
2. Paul Goldschmidt (CB) 382
3. Nick Markakis (FDD) 381
4. Nolan Arenado (PM) 373
3. Trevor Story (M) 372

Pitching leaders after Week 19

1. Max Scherzer (FF) 432.7
2. Jacob deGrom (FDD) 359
3. Aaron Nola (PM) 342.
4. Patrick Corbin (FF) 328.7
5. Zack Greinke (R) 308

Playoffs Week 1: Sunday Roundup

Turns out this guy is still pretty good.

STUDS: German Marquez (PYB) struck out 5 and allowed 2 runs in a 7-inning win. Billy Hamilton (PYB) tripled twice, walked, scored and drove in 3. Clayton Kershaw (M) continued his hot streak, striking out 7 and allowing a run in a 7-inning win. Justin Turner (AL) homered, singled 3 times, scored twice and drove in 5. Starlin Castro (BM) had 2 doubles, 3 singles, an RBI and 3 runs scored.

How are things going, Coach? Other Coach?

DUDS: Kirby Yates (FDD) struck out 1 but allowed a run and took the loss. Trea Turner (SG) and Bryce Harper (AL) each went 0-fer with an error. It's a wonder the Nats didn't win. Nick Pivetta (SG) allowed 6 runs and struck out 5 in a 3.2-inning loss. Jonathan Villar (PM) singled and erred. Tucker Barnhart (R) singled, walked and erred.

ROUND ONE PLAYOFF SCORE UPDATES
After week 1 of 2:

• No. 1 Fasano Don't Dance 225.7, No. 8 Pitch You Blockhead! 224.5
• No. 7 Bodysuit Man 154.2, No. 2 Fresh Fish 121
• No. 3 Arbitration Losers 224.5, No. 6 Project Mayhem 162.7
• No. 4 The Misfits 198, No. 5 Stable Geniuses 148
• No. 10 Clemente's Bucs 188.7, No. 9 The Rookies 181.1

Playoffs Week 1: Saturday Roundup

Joe Musgrove was really nervous about the possibility of making the Studs list.

Carlos Santana's career high for errors as a first baseman
was 5 before this year. He made 1 error in his first 40 games
this season and 8 errors in the next 81 games. 

STUDS: Paul Goldschmidt (CB) went 4 for 4 with a double and 4 RBIs. Paul DeJong (BM) doubled, singled, stole a base, scored and drove in 3. A.J. Pollock (AL) doubled twice, scored twice and drove in 2. Joe Musgrove (SG) fanned 7 and allowed 1 run in a 7-inning win against the Cubs. Mike Foltynewicz (PYB) struck out 9 and didn't allow a run in a 7-inning no-decision against the Rockies. Miles Mikolas (PYB) fanned 7 and allowed 1 run in a 6-inning win against Milwaukee. Jacob deGrom (FDD) didn't give his bullpen a chance to screw him out of a win; he went the distance against the Phillies, allowing an unearned run and striking out 9.

DUDS: Manny Machado (CB) went 0 for 5 with an error. Carlos Santana (FDD) singled and erred.

Playoffs Week 1: Friday Roundup

If not for Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom, we'd be going nuts over Aaron Nola as a Cy Young candidate. 

Friday's Roundup comes to you Sunday on tape delay. Who here is old enough to remember when most sporting events weren't shown live? Anyone?

STUDS: Jack Flaherty (FDD) struck out 7 Brewers and didn't allow a run in a 6-inning win. Charlie Blackmon (PYB) was a homer short of a cycle, drove in 2 and scored 3 runs. Walker Buehler (M) struck out 8 and allowed 1 run in a 6-inning win. Aaron Nola (PM) was magnificent again, striking out 11 Mets — ooh, big deal — and allowing 1 run in a 7-inning win. Cole Hamels (AL) fanned 3 and didn't allow a run in a 7-inning win against Pittsburgh. D.J. LeMahieu (AL) and Bryce Harper (AL) each doubled, singled twice, drove in 2 and scored twice. Steven Souza (BM) doubled twice, singled and drove in 3. Max Scherzer (FF) struck out 7 Marlins and didn't allow a run in a 6-inning win. Manny Machado (CB) homered twice and drove in 3. Paul Goldschmidt (CB) homered, singled, walked 3 times, scored twice and drove in 2. Eduardo Escobar (CB) homered, singled, scored 3 runs and walked twice.

DUD: Josh Bell (PM) went 0 for 3 with an error.