The Check Swing will be our look back at the week in FBLG. Is it the best name ever? No, but the other good terms, such as "The Rundown," are taken by Big Media. Regardless, this weekly post will provide the running point totals and take an in-depth look at each of the teams in the league. (Our league, not the one run by that guy who loves tie games.)
Also, remember that transaction requests and lineup changes must be sent to the commissioner's email account before the first NL game starts each Monday. Otherwise, your lineup and roster will remain the same.
Without further Abreu:
1t. Going Going Gonzo (213 points, 1-0): Big weeks from Martin Prado, Wilin Rosario, Jay Bruce and Norichika Aoki led Jon's team into a tie for first place after Week 1. Also contributing were Ian Kennedy, Jeff Samardzija and A.J. Burnett, who combined for 78 points in 6 starts. If Ruben Tejada stops making errors, this team will be dangerous.
1t. Misfits (213 points, 1-0): Reid's wallbangers showed incredible balance, with only Roy Halladay scoring fewer than 10 points. Freddie Freeman's DL stint will hurt because the first baseman got off to a hot start in a potent Atlanta lineup. Chase Utley, who could be a steal if he remains healthy, looks like the Chase Utley of 2008. Troy Tulowitzki, Jon Jay and Bryce Harper certainly exploded out of the gate.
 |
Perhaps this kid could
do better than Axford
as the Rookies' closer. |
3. Manwaring a Muumuu (188 points, 1-0): The rotation appeared to be a weakness for the Rich/Brian crew, but Matt Harvey and Mike Minor dominated in their first starts. With Mat Latos and Shelby Miller as well, the staff has plenty of potential. Joey Votto and Buster Posey disappointed with the bat, but the offense looks to be the strength of this team — especially with Carl Crawford appearing to have returned to his Tampa Bay form.
4. Silver State Sagebrushers (185 points, 0-1): Clayton Kershaw started two games, accounting for more than one-quarter of Brian's points. Dexter Fowler actually outscored Justin Upton, and the outfield looks like a strength. The point total is impressive considering the Sagebrushers got a poor outing from Jorge De La Rosa, no appearances from Chad Billingsley, and a slow start plus a bout with the flu for Brandon Belt.
5. Fresh Fish (171 points, 0-1): The FBLG version of the Milwaukee Brewers has three players on the disabled list (Hanley Ramirez, Cody Ross and Ryan Ludwick). But Rick got a 30-point week from Todd Frazier, and Justin Ruggiano scored 18 after parrying an alleged platoon situation in Miami. When those injured players return and Giancarlo Stanton starts hitting, watch out.
6. Testosteraun Braun (170 points, 1-0): Paul Goldschmidt is the league's No. 2 scorer among position players, and Daniel Murphy also had a great week. Ryan Braun's balky neck is a major concern, though, as Braun missed the week's final three games. Andrelton Simmons also missed time. Jose Fernandez could be quite a find, but the big question is what will Bill do with pine-riding first baseman Anthony Rizzo?
7. Arbitration Losers (160 points, 0-1): Cliff Lee, Johnny Cueto and Wade Miley combined for 68 points and look like a nice core. On offense, though, Tim got little from Pedro Alvarez and Jonathan Lucroy and got zero points from Neil Walker. Reds manager Dusty Baker used Aroldis Chapman in five of Cincy's six games, which raises questions about overuse. Good thing Baker doesn't have a history of destroying pitchers' arms (Mark Prior, cough cough).
8. Lawyers, Guns & Money (156 points, 1-0): The first six days of the NL season were not kind to Matt's pitchers, as Lance Lynn, Dan Haren, Tim Hudson and Hyun-jin Ryu combined for a paltry 14 points. However, Hudson and Ryu bounced back and looked strong Sunday. Led by Andrew McCutchen, the offense showed signs of potency, although Ike Davis' slow start and Ian Desmond's four errors are worrisome.
9. Pitch You Blockhead (137 points, 0-1): Carlos Gonzalez and Shin-soo Choo provided the punch for Scott's crew, and Cliff Pennington and Josh Rutledge contributed nicely from the middle infield spots. Unfortunately, the twin aces of Kris Medlen and Cole Hamels combined for only 4 points in 3 starts, which is cause for concern.
10. Rookies (98 points, 0-1): Henry's team got off to an awful start, posting 4 days with 8 or fewer points. Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Yovani Gallardo lead FBLG's strongest rotation, but the lineup did little to help. Adam LaRoche missed time with an injury, and Marco Scutaro, Russell Martin, Chris Johnson and Alfonso Soriano didn't contribute at all. John Axford got hit hard in three outings and scored negative-2 points for the week.
