Saturday, September 12, 2015

Week 23, finals: Friday roundup

A Colorado pitcher made the Studs list — but he had to face the Mariners to do it.
Studs: Jake Arrieta (AZ) continued his Kershaw-like streak of incredible outings, allowing 1 run and striking out 7 in an 8-inning win. Yoenis Cespedes (Misfits) was a triple shy of a cycle and drove in 3. Chad Bettis (Bryce) got the win and fanned 6 in 7 shutout innings. Kris Bryant (CM) played both ends of a doubleheader and collected a homer, a double, 3 singles and 4 RBIs. 

Duds: Aramis Ramirez (SE) went 0 for 3 with an error. Justin Turner (Misfits) went 0 for 1 with 2 walks and an error. Gregory Polanco (R21) and Nolan Arenado (PYB) each went 1 for 5 with an error. Lucas Duda (Bryce) went 1 for 3 with an error. 

Note: The Reds-Cardinals game was suspended because of weather. They'll continue the game whenever they feel like it.

Transaction: PYB benches 2B Kolten Wong, moves Yangervis Solarte to 2B and puts Justin Morneau at 1B.

Final scores (best of 3 weeks)

Retire 131, Arbitration Losers 78
Misfits 116, Soler Eclipse 112

Consolation scores

Already Zaun 126, Rookies 108
Bryce is Right 149, Chateau Marmol 71
Pitch You Blockhead 130, Fresh Fish 91 

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Week 23, finals: Thursday roundup

Jaime Garcia is bummed because he traded away Rob Gronkowski in his fantasy league.
Stud: Todd Frazier (Bryce) was a triple short of a cycle, drove in 3 and scored 3 runs. 

Dud: Jaime Garcia (CM) allowed 6 runs and struck out 2 in a 4.1-inning loss. 

Notes: The Jays-Yankees and Cubs-Phillies games were rained out.

Final scores (best of 3 weeks)

Retire 121, Arbitration Losers 66
Soler Eclipse 103, Misfits 98

Consolation scores

Already Zaun 90, Rookies 78
Bryce is Right 105, Chateau Marmol 48
Pitch You Blockhead 123, Fresh Fish 75 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Week 23, finals: Wednesday roundup

Joey Votto unleashes venom toward a FBLG official, who was preparing to use a photo of an American League player with today's blog. Votto would have none of it.
Studs: Jacob deGrom (R21) allowed 2 runs and struck out 9 in a 7-inning win. Bryce Harper (Bryce) hit a pair of solo homers, doubled and scored 3 runs — but it wasn't enough as the Nats coughed up yet another lead to the Mets. Julio Teheran (Bryce) singled and allowed 1 run while striking out 4 in a 7-inning victory. Seattle's Mark Trumbo (PYB) went 4 for 4 — yes, really — with a homer and 3 RBIs. 

Dud: Andre Ethier (FF) went 0 for 4 with an error. 

Final scores (best of 3 weeks)

Retire 107, Arbitration Losers 64
Soler Eclipse 95, Misfits 90

Consolation scores

Already Zaun 73, Rookies 59
Bryce is Right 86, Chateau Marmol 51
Pitch You Blockhead 113, Fresh Fish 64 

Week 23, finals: Tuesday roundup

Yeah, he hits now, too.
Studs: Jason Hammel (PYB) allowed 3 runs and struck out 6 in a 6-inning win, adding an RBI single and a run scored. Francisco Liriano (SE), suddenly the best hitter the Pirates have, had a double, a single and a run scored. Oh, and he struck out 10 in 6 shutout innings. Clayton Kershaw (R21) allowed an earned run and struck out 8 in a 7-inning win. Aaron Nola (Bryce) dominated the Braves, striking out 7 in 7 shutout innings. Hey, cool, finally a hitter: Dee Gordon (R21) singled, doubled, stole 2 bases, scored twice and drove in a run.

Duds: Drew Storen (FF) walked everyone in sight, allowing a run in 0.1 innings and helping the Nats blow a big lead and lose to the Mets again. Jonathan Papelbon (CM) allowed a pinch-hit homer by Kirk Nieuwenhuis (LOL) to complete the Nats' collapse. This might be the first time in FBLG history that two relievers from the same team both made the Duds list. Ladies and gentlemen, your 2015 Washington Nationals, coached by reigning National League Manger of the Year and future Burger King fry cook Matt Williams!

Elsewhere, Michael Wacha (AZ) allowed 6 earned runs and struck out 2 in a 4-inning loss, throwing in an error for good measure. Taylor Jungmann (Misfits) allowed 6 earned runs and struck out 3 in 3.2 innings against the mighty Marlins offense. Raisel Iglesias (R21) allowed 5 earned runs and struck out 4 in a 3-inning loss. Mark Melancon (Bryce) allowed 3 earned runs and struck out 1 in 0.2 innings.

Transaction: Bryce is Right activates 1B Lucas Duda from DL.

Final scores (best of 3 weeks)

Championship: Retire 65, Arbitration Losers 36 
Third place: Soler Eclipse 75, Misfits 70

Consolation scores

Rookies 46, Already Zaun 40 
Bryce is Right 43, Chateau Marmol 39 
Pitch You Blockhead 74, Fresh Fish 41

Monday, September 7, 2015

Week 23, finals: Monday roundup

The Lance Lynn Experience played a short set Monday in St. Louis.
Studs: Jonathan Lucroy (PYB) doubled twice, singled, scored twice and drove in a run. Patrick Corbin (SE) had an RBI single, got the win and struck out 5 in 6 shutout innings. Yoenis Cespedes (Misfits) homered, doubled twice, scored twice and drove in 2. Dexter Fowler (Bryce) homered, doubled and drove in 3. Dan Haren (FF) had a sac fly, singled, scored, got the victory and fanned 5 in 7 shutout innings. 

Duds: Lance Lynn (PYB) struck out 2 in a 2.1-inning loss and allowed 6 runs. Gregory Polanco (R21) and Todd Frazier (Bryce) each went 0 for 4 with an error. Pedro Alvarez (Bryce) went 1 for 3 with an error. Jon Niese (CM) allowed 5 runs and struck out 1 in 3.1 innings. 

Final scores (best of 3 weeks)

Arbitration Losers 22, Retire 12
Soler Eclipse 42, Misfits 41

Consolation scores

Already Zaun 18, Rookies 17
Chateau Marmol 28, Bryce is Right 20
Pitch You Blockhead 33, Fresh Fish 33 

Week 23 (Playoffs, week 5) Transactions and Lineups

Yes, the commissioners were hoping to sign Corey Seager. But we're happy that now a Giants fan has to root for him, at least.

Players acquired

  • Misfits sign SS Eugenio Suarez (September move #1).
  • The Bryce is Right steals 2B Danny Espinosa (September move #1) from Soler Eclipse and steals 3B Juan Uribe (September move #2) from Rookies.
  • Chateau Marmol sign 3B Corey Seager (September move #1).
  • Already Zaun sign 2B Javier Baez (September move #1) and OF Michael Conforto (September move #2).

    Players released

    • SP Jon Gray
    • SP Mike Bolsinger
    • 3B Jake Lamb
    • SS Adeiny Hechavarria
    • SP Mat Latos
    • OF/1B Ben Paulsen
    • OF Michael Taylor
    • SP Andrew Cashner
    • 1B Yonder Alonso

    Lineup changes

    • Rookies: None.
    • Retire 21: Bench SP Jake Peavy; activate SP Jose Fernandez (from DL).
    • Misfits: Bench SP Kyle Hendricks; activate SP Chris Heston and SS Eugenio Suarez.
    • Soler Eclipse: None.
    • Pitch You Blockhead: Bench SP Jeff Locke and OF Nori Aoki; activate SP Lance Lynn and OF Mark Trumbo.
    • The Bryce is Right: None.
    • Chateau Marmol: Bench OF Jason Heyward, OF Odubel Herrera and SP Brett Anderson; move Kris Bryant from 3B to OF; activate 2B Joe Panik from DL and place on bench; activate 3B Corey Seager, OF Christian Yelich, SP Max Scherzer and SP Jon Niese.
    • Arbitration Losers: Bench SP Wily Peralta and 1B Brandon Belt; activate OF Angel Pagan from DL and place on bench; activate SP Noah Syndergaard and 1B Ryan Zimmerman .
    • Already Zaun: Bench 2B Neil Walker and SP Jimmy Nelson; activate 2B Javier Baez, OF Michael Conforto and SP Michael Wacha.
    • Fresh Fish: Bench SP Ryan Vogelsong; activate SP Stephen Strasburg.

    Sunday, September 6, 2015

    The Check Swing: Week 22

    Nolan Arenado homered in 6 consecutive games for the Rockies and Pitch You Blockhead.
    1. Already Zaun (4,029 points, last week 1): The Zaunies are hanging on to first place in the points race, but not by much. Maybe being bounced to the consolation round sucked the life out of these guys. Or maybe it has more to do with a crippled outfield and minimal contributions from Neil Walker and Troy Tulowitzki. 

    2. Retire 21 (3,997 points, last week 2): It's been quite a debut season for Ray — the Fightin' Clementes have reached the playoff finals. They'll square off against the surging Arbitration Losers with Clayton Kershaw and Joey Votto peaking at the right time. It looks like Raisel Iglesias is doing his best Jose Fernandez impression, too. 

    3. Arbitration Losers (3,797 points, last week 3): Tim's collection of Nationals and Giants have vaulted this team into the playoff finals against Retire 21. Anthony Rendon (23) and Jayson Werth (24) came up big in the second week of the semis. If Madison Bumgarner and Jon Lester come up big during the next three weeks, the Losers could come up with an upset victory. 

    4. Pitch You Blockhead (3,715 points, last week 4): Early in the season, everything went right for Scott — his active pitchers put up big points totals week after week. That hasn't been the case lately, and the problem has spread to his lineup. This week, Scott benched Yangervis Solarte and Mark Trumbo, both of whom scored big on the bench. Good thing Nolan Arenado scored 44 points.

    5. Chateau Marmol (3,612 points, last week 5): Did anyone expect A.J. Pollock to be this team's leading scorer? The outfielder has outscored Anthony Rizzo and Max Scherzer in FBLG this season. Meanwhile, Yasmani Grandal has hit the skids after a couple of strong months. He posted a grand total of 1 point this week. 

    6. Soler Eclipse (3,547 points, last week 6): Jose Reyes finally came up big for Adam's team, scoring 26 points. But it wasn't enough to get Soler into the finals. Still, these guys will battle for third place — and the rotation of Francisco Liriano, Matt Harvey, John Lackey, Patrick Corbin and Bartolo Colon will be tough to beat.

    7. Misfits (3,517 points, last week 8): It was a true hot-and-cold week for Reid's team, which will face Soler Eclipse for third place in the playoffs. Yoenis Cespedes (31) and Matt Kemp (25) were hot, but Daniel Murphy (4), Adeiny Hechavarria (3) and Ryan Howard (0) were cold. 

    8. Rookies (3,508 points, last week 7): Speaking of hot and cold, that accurately describes the Rookies' pitching staff this week. Gio Gonzalez (21) and Jordan Zimmermann (17) had strong outings, but those were counteracted by duds from Matt Wisler (-7), Shelby Miller (-2) and Hector Rendon (-2). 

    9. The Bryce is Right (3,475 points, last week 9): There wasn't much to get excited about on Bill's team beyond Bryce Harper's 32 points. Eighth place isn't out of reach, though. In fact, neither is 7th. But it's looking likely that Bill will have one of the top couple of picks in the 2016 FBLG draft. 

    10. Fresh Fish (3,208 points, last week 10): Carlos Gonzalez continued his torrid second half, scoring 37 points for the hapless Fish. On the other hand, Johnny Cueto had starts of 1 and -1 this week. Ouch. 


    Week 22, semifinals: Sunday roundup

    Joe Ross (second from left) had a rough day.
    Studs: Brandon Phillips (FF) hit a 2-run homer, scored twice and singled twice. Welington Castillo (AZ) was a triple shy of a cycle and drove in 2. Buster Posey (AL) homered, doubled and scored 3 runs. Gerrit Cole (Bryce) got the win in 7 shutout innings, striking out 7 and helping his cause with an RBI single. Jay Bruce (Rookies) homered, singled twice and drove in 3. Miguel Montero (Misfits) hit a grand slam, singled and threw out a base-stealer. 

    Duds: Johnny Cueto (FF) allowed 5 runs and fanned 4 in a 3-inning loss. Jhonny Peralta (AL) went 0 for 2 with an error. A.J. Pollock (CM) and Curtis Granderson (Misfits) each went 0 for 3 and were caught stealing. Joe Ross (CM) scored, made an error, allowed 4 runs in 4.1 innings and didn't strike out anyone. Jean Segura (R21) singled and erred. 

    Semifinal scores (second of 2-week cumulative)

    Retire 220 (393), Soler Eclipse 159 (305)
    Arbitration Losers 183 (399), Misfits 152 (330)

    Consolation scores

    Already Zaun 183, Bryce is Right 153
    Rookies 175, Fresh Fish 149
    Chateau Marmol 173, Pitch You Blockhead 150

    Week 22, semifinals: Saturday roundup

    Bet you didn't expect a 19-point performance by Jake Peavy at Coors Field.
    Studs: Jake Arrieta (AZ) picked up his league-leading 18th win and struck out 7 in 8 shutout innings. Jaime Garcia (CM) got the win and fanned 9 in 7 shutout innings as his ERA fell to 1.89. Bryce Harper (Bryce) hit a 2-run homer, doubled twice and scored twice. Gio Gonzalez (Rookies) earned the victory by striking out 10 in 6 shutout innings. Jake Peavy (R21) excelled with his bat more than with his arm. He doubled twice, drove in a run and scored. On the mound, he fanned 5 and allowed 3 runs in a 5.2-inning win. Travis d'Arnaud (R21) had a 3-run homer and an RBI single. 

    Duds: Shelby Miller (Rookies) allowed 7 run and struck out 4 in a 4.1-inning loss. D.J. LeMahieu (Rookies) went 0 for 3 with an error. 

    Transactions: PYB benches 1B Yonder Alonso and replaces him with Yangervis Solarte.

    Semifinal scores (second of 2-week cumulative)

    Retire 195 (368), Soler Eclipse 133 (279)
    Arbitration Losers 150 (366), Misfits 123 (301)

    Consolation scores

    Already Zaun 159, Bryce is Right 117
    Rookies 150, Fresh Fish 115
    Chateau Marmol 138, Pitch You Blockhead 133