Playoffs, Week 4: The Check Swing

Were 2 Braves the best players in FBLG this week? Sometimes baseball just doesn't make sense. 

Final matchup

The Lumbar Yard vs. Hundley Eyes 

Third-place final matchup

Fresh Fish vs. Misfits 

1. Fresh Fish (3,827 points, last week 1): Rick's team needed a big week to advance to the playoff championship series, but the Fish came up empty. Jeurys Familia led the team with 19 points, which means no one did anything outstanding. Adeiny Hechavarria (0) had the most nondescript week possible. 

2. Hundley Eyes (3,818 points, last week 2): The commishes didn't really do anything special, either; but it was enough to hold off the Fish and reach the title series. Jon Gray (21), Aroldis Chapman (19) and Yasmani Grandal (19) were fairly good, but Ben Zobrist (2) and Josh Bell (5) didn't do much. 

3. Rookies (3,725 points, last week 5): Don't look now, but the Rookies are making a push in the overall points race. They're also 2-0 in the consolation round — and this week, they'll face Retire 21, which is also 2-0. Matt Kemp (26) and Christian Yelich (25) were studly this week. 

4. The Lumbar Yard (3,709 points, last week 4): It's on to the championship series for Good Vertebrations, which got a surprising 19 points from Chris Owings. Corey Seager (2) was pretty mediocre, but you have to figure that won't last. Tanner Roark did his usual thing, posting starts worth 18 and 3. 

5. Lawyers, Guns & Money (3,685 points, last week 3): Yikes. Matt got 31 points from Carlos Martinez and still managed only 121 for the week. Buster Posey, Dee Gordon, Eduardo Nunez, Travis d'Arnaud, Carlos Gonzalez, Adam Duvall, Odubel Herrera, Julio Urias and A.J. Ramos failed to reach double digits. 

Jeanmar Gomez pitched 3 times and totaled -4 points.
That makes him a lock to be our Dud of the Week. 

6. Arbitration Losers (3,682 points, last week 6): Doesn't it seem like Madison Bumgarner (19) and D.J. LeMahieu (24) lead this team in points just about every week? Too bad Ryan Braun (5) and Reynaldo Lopez (2) were no-shows this time around. Tony Watson pitched only once and posted a zero. 

7. Retire 21 (3,623 points, last week 9): If the Rookies aren't the hottest team in FBLG, the Sons of Clemente certainly are. Who'd have figured Ray would get monster weeks from two Braves? Julio Teheran (39) and Freddie Freeman (27) were phenomenal. Matt Carpenter (3) was surprisingly bad. 

8. Misfits (3,585 points, last week 8): Reid's team went stagnant at the wrong time, scoring 137 points and falling 6 points short of advancing to the championship series. Brandon Belt (-2), Brandon Moss (0), Cameron Rupp (5), Justin Turner (7) and the Mets' second-base tandem of Neil Walker (0/DL) and Wilmer Flores (4) are the goats. 

9. Pitch You Blockhead (3,579 points, last week 7): Nolan Arenado (24) did typical Nolan Arenado things, but Wil Myers (13) was a pretty lame second-leading scorer for Scott. The 5 pitchers combined for only 19 points, which explains the 116-point output this week. 

10. Goldschmidt Happens (3,313 points, last week 10): All but 2 players reached double digits for Bill's team, which clearly had a point to prove after months of ribbing in this blog. GH winning the consolation round would certainly shut us up. 

Playoffs, Week 4: Sunday's Roundup

Chris Carter showed off his power
in a second consecutive game.

Studs: Julio Teheran (R21) got the win and struck out 7 in 6 shutout innings. Jean Segura (HE) went 3 for 4 with a double, 2 steals and 2 runs. Chris Carter (R) hit a 3-run homer, doubled and scored twice. Yangervis Solarte (GH) went 3 for 3 with a homer and 3 RBIs. 

Duds: None.

Semifinal scores

Hundley Eyes 162 (340), Fresh Fish 145 (301)

The Lumbar Yard 159 (337), Misfits 137 (332)

Consolation scores

Retire 21 195, Lawyers, Guns & Money 121

Goldschmidt Happens 180, Arbitration Losers 145

Rookies 188, Pitch You Blockhead 116

Playoffs, Week 4: Saturday's Roundup

Even by left-handed standards, Rich Hill is goofy.

Studs: Madison Bumgarner (AL) struck out 10 and allowed 2 runs in a 6-inning win against the mighty Cubs. Rich Hill (R) got the win and struck out 8 while allowing only 1 hit and no runs in a 6-inning victory. Chris Carter (R) went 4 for 5 with a homer, 2 runs and 3 RBIs. 

Duds: Dansby Swanson (R21) went 1 for 5 with an error. Dee Gordon (LGM) went 0 for 4 with an error. Brandon Belt (M) went 0 for 3 with an error. 

Semifinal scores

Hundley Eyes 132 (310), Fresh Fish 108 (264)

The Lumbar Yard 137 (315), Misfits 106 (301)

Consolation scores

Retire 21 162, Lawyers, Guns & Money 95

Goldschmidt Happens 151, Arbitration Losers 132

Rookies 164, Pitch You Blockhead 105

Playoffs, Week 4: Friday's Roundup

Matt Kemp hits pretty well for a portly fellow. 

Studs: Matt Kemp (R) went 3 for 5 with a homer, 4 RBIs and 2 runs. Bryce Harper (LY) doubled twice, scored twice, drove in a run and stole a base. Jon Lester (M) gave the Cubs' bullpen a day off, going the distance against the Giants in a win. He allowed 1 run and struck out 4. 

Duds: Jeanmar Gomez (PYB) pitched to 4 batters and allowed hits to all of them. They all came around to score. Gomez also took the loss. What else could go wrong? Speaking of pitchers who failed to get an out, Francisco Liriano (R21) pitched in relief and allowed 3 runs — only 2 earned. He allowed a homer to someone named Luke Maile, which sounds like a player created by a video game. Maikel Franco (HE) went 1 for 4 with an error. So did Yasmani Grandal (HE). Gregory Polanco (M) went 0 for 4 with an error. Seung-Hwan Oh (M) allowed a run, took the loss and fanned 1 batter to get his only out. 

Transaction: Goldschmidt Happens activates SP Junior Guerra from the DL. 

Semifinal scores

Hundley Eyes 103 (282), Fresh Fish 82 (238)

The Lumbar Yard 111 (289), Misfits 98 (293)

Consolation scores

Retire 21 147, Lawyers, Guns & Money 78

Goldschmidt Happens 115, Arbitration Losers 96

Rookies 91, Pitch You Blockhead 85

Playoffs, Week 4: Thursday's Roundup

Wilmer Flores and Christian Yelich are the stars of today's blog entry. 

Studs: Christian Yelich (R) homered, singled twice, stole 2 bases, scored 2 runs and drove in 4. We're willing to overlook his fielding error.  

Transaction: The Misfits place 2B Neil Walker on the DL and sign Wilmer Flores.

Semifinal scores

Hundley Eyes 86 (264), Fresh Fish 64 (220)

The Lumbar Yard 78 (256), Misfits 76 (271)

Consolation scores

Retire 21 127, Lawyers, Guns & Money 60

Goldschmidt Happens 84, Arbitration Losers 73

Pitch You Blockhead 69, Rookies 65

Playoffs, Week 4: Wednesday's Roundup

A 20-point day for Matt Garza? What year is this? 

Studs: Matt Moore (M) struck out 7 and allowed 1 run in a 5.1-inning win. Matt Garza (GH) scored a run and fanned 8 while allowing 1 run in a 7-inning win. A doubleheader in Denver led to 3 Rockies Studs. David Dahl (GH) stole 2 bases, doubled, singled 3 times, scored 3 runs and drove in a run. Nolan Arenado (PYB) had an RBI double, ripped a 2-run homer, singled and scored twice. Tyler Anderson (R21) had an RBI single and got a win while striking out 5 in 6.1 shutout innings. 

Duds: Cesar Hernandez (GH) went 0 for 3 with an error. In the twin bill, Corey Seager (LY) went 0 for 8 with a run and an error. A.J. Ramos (LGM) allowed 3 runs in 1 inning and took the loss. 

Semifinal scores

Hundley Eyes 86 (264), Fresh Fish 63 (219)

The Lumbar Yard 77 (255), Misfits 76 (271)

Consolation scores

Retire 21 112, Lawyers, Guns & Money 57

Goldschmidt Happens 75, Arbitration Losers 67

Rookies 50, Pitch You Blockhead 46

Playoffs, Week 4: Tuesday's Roundup

Herr Scherzer dominierten die Phillies am Dienstag. Glückwünsche!

Studs: Julio Teheran (R21) doubled, scored and struck out 8 in a 7-inning win, allowing 2 runs. Seung-Hwan Oh (M) struck out 2 in a scoreless inning to earn the vulture win. Max Scherzer (M) struck out 11 in 8 shutout innings, adding an RBI. Kyle Hendricks (LGM) struck out 4 and allowed no runs in a 7-inning win.

Duds: Starling Marte (R) was 0-for-3 and was caught stealing.

Note: The Rockies-Dodgers game was rained out and will be made up as a doubleheader Wednesday.

Semifinal scores

Hundley Eyes 66 (244), Fresh Fish 35 (191)

Misfits 54 (249), The Lumbar Yard 65 (243)

Consolation scores

Retire 21 69, Lawyers, Guns & Money 48 

Arbitration Losers 45, Goldschmidt Happens 30

Rookies 24, Pitch You Blockhead 18

Playoffs, Week 4: Monday's Roundup

Let's celebrate the only position player on today's Studs/Duds lists. Here's to you, Josh Harrison. 

Studs: Josh Harrison (R21) doubled, singled twice, drove in 3, stole a base and scored. Jon Gray (HE) got the win and struck out 8 Dodgers in 6 shutout innings at Coors Field. Carlos Martinez (LGM) struck out 13 Brewers (oh, who hasn't?) and allowed 1 run in a 6-inning no-decision. Tanner Roark (LY) singled and got the win while striking out 5 Phillies in 7 shutout innings. 

Duds: Dan Straily (R) fanned 3 and allowed 7 runs in a 2.2-inning loss to the Angels. Tyler Thornburg (GH) struck out 1 in 1 inning but allowed an unearned run and took the loss. 

Semifinal scores

Hundley Eyes 57 (235), Fresh Fish 16 (172)

The Lumbar Yard 32 (210), Misfits 19 (214)

Consolation scores

Lawyers, Guns & Money 24, Retire 21 18

Arbitration Losers 19, Goldschmidt Happens 16

Rookies 11, Pitch You Blockhead 7

Week 22 (Playoffs, Week 4) Transactions and Lineups

A 36-year-old soft-tossing lefty who has blisters and was in the Independent League not long ago? Sure, why not.

Players acquired

• Rookies sign SP Rich Hill (August move #3).
• The Lumbar Yard sign SP Luke Weaver (August move #3).
• Hundley Eyes sign SP Alex Reyes (August move #3).

Players released

• C Miguel Montero
• OF Gerardo Parra
• SP Rob Whalen
• SP Homer Bailey
• 1B James Loney

Players unprotected/available to be stolen

• none on Fresh Fish
• 3B Aaron Hill (Rookies) 
• OF Melvin Upton, Jr. (The Lumbar Yard)
• OF Jorge Soler (Goldschmidt Happens)
• C Derek Norris (Misfits)
• none on LG&M
• 3B/SS Jhonny Peralta (PYB)
• 3B/SS Jose Reyes (Arbitration Losers)
• SP Alex Reyes (Hundley Eyes)
• OF Keon Broxton (Retire 21)

Please email the commish by first pitch Saturday to change your unprotected player.

• SP Jeff Locke (Rookies), SP Jake Peavy (Rookies) and OF Nick Markakis (R21) are also available to be stolen after spending four weeks on the bench.

Lineup changes

• Fresh Fish: Bench OF Hunter Pence and SP Jason Hammel; activate OF Jayson Werth and SP Tom Koehler.
• Rookies: Activate SP Rich Hill.
• The Lumbar Yard: Activate SP Adam Wainwright.
• Goldschmidt Happens: Bench SP Gerrit Cole and OF Jorge Soler; activate OF Jason Heyward.
• Misfits: None.
• Lawyers, Guns & Money: None.
• Pitch You Blockhead: Bench SS Jhonny Peralta and OF Domingo Santana; activate SS Zach Cozart and OF Josh Reddick.
• Arbitration Losers: None.
• Hundley Eyes: Bench SP Kenta Maeda; activate SP Zach Davies.
• Retire 21: None.

Playoffs, Week 3: The Check Swing

Rich's favorite former Notre Dame player is back — and you should see the smile on Rich's face. 

1. Fresh Fish (3,656 points, last week 1): The Fish got great performances from Ivan Nova (33), Adrian Gonzalez (29) and Bartolo Colon (19) but little help from everyone else. They trail the commissioners by 22 points entering the second week of their semifinal matchup. Jason Hammel (-3) and Hunter Pence (2) will have to be better. 

2. Hundley Eyes (3,645 points, last week 2): The offense stalled at the end of the week, but the pitching was good enough to give the Eyes a lead in their semifinal duel with the Fish. The pitchers combined for 89 points in 4 starts and 3 relief appearances. With A.J. Pollock back, which outfielder will ride the pine for these guys?

3. Lawyers, Guns & Money (3,551 points, last week 3): The Fightin' Zevons managed a 2-point win against the Losers in a consolation-round battle. Adam Duvall (20) paced the offense, and Carlos Martinez (19) and Julio Urias (19) had impressive outings. Dee Gordon (3) is back from suspension, but you wouldn't know it from his output.

4. The Lumbar Yard (3,532 points, last week 5t): The Yard trails the Misfits by 17 points in the other semifinal matchup, but the real story here is the potent offense: Adam got -3 points from his starting pitching this week and still scored 178 points. Corey Seager (27), Bryce Harper (27), Trea Turner (25) and Daniel Murphy (25) went off. 

5. Rookies (3,520 points, last week 5t): The Rookies thumped Goldschmidt Happens in a consolation matchup. Jake Arrieta (23) was back to his studly ways, and Matt Kemp (21) and Starling Marte (20) had good weeks. Also, Reds pitchers Dan Straily (16) and Brandon Finnegan (16) were impressive. 

The Lumbar Yard's Homer Bailey (top)
posted starts of -7 and -5 to win Dud of
the Week honors by a landslide. 

6. Arbitration Losers (3,511 points, last week 4): There's plenty of blame to go around for Tim's 2-point loss. Perhaps the goat is D.J. LeMahieu, who made an error on Sunday and finished the week with 4 points. Or maybe it's Reynaldo Lopez, who posted a -2. Even Joc Pederson and Jay Bruce each scuffled their way to 3-point weeks. 

7. Pitch You Blockhead (3,431 points, last week 7): The Blockheads opened the consolation round with a loss despite great performances by Nolan Arenado (30), Joe Panik (23), Anthony DeSclafani (23) and Jeff Samardzija (21). We blame Jacob deGrom (1) and Christian Friedrich (-1). Wil Myers (7) has vanished, too. 

8. Misfits (3,421 points, last week 9): Reid's team exploded for 195-point week at the right time to take a lead over the Yard in the semis. Gregory Polanco (31), Jon Lester (30), Max Scherzer (23), Matt Moore (21) and Brandon Moss went above and beyond. The only duds were Scott Kazmir (0) and Cameron Rupp (2). 

9. Retire 21 (3,405 points, last week 8): The hitting stars came out to shine for Ray in a consolation-round victory. Kudos to Freddie Freeman (29), Kris Bryant (27) and Andrew McCutchen (21). On the down side, Santiago Casilla pitched only once and posted a big, fat zero. 

10. Goldschmidt Happens (3,108 points, last week 10): We've been giving Bill a hard time this year, so let's focus on the positive. Paul Goldschmidt (23), Welington Castillo (20) and David Dahl (20) were really good this week!