Week 4: The Check Swing

Is 59 points the highest weekly total for a position player in FBLG history?
Is there an amateur historian willing to parse the FBLG encyclopedia to find out? 

Parity is the name of the game in FBLG this year. Eight of the league's 10 teams have a record of 2-2. It was a great week to have star players from the Nationals, Diamondbacks and Dodgers, as 9 of the FBLG teams' leading scorers in Week 4 came from those clubs. 

1. Bodysuit Man (822.5 points, 4-0, last week 1): Adam's team is our league's top scoring team and has allowed the fewest points. That's how you become FBLG's only 4-0 team. Bodysuit Man posted 230.8 points this week, led by Patrick Corbin (31.3), Charlie Blackmon (29) and Wil Myers (28). But the news isn't all good for the assistant to the traveling secretary: Adam Eaton (27) blew out his knee and Noah Syndergaard (-4.7) tore a lat muscle. 

2. Quirkin’ For a Livin’ (727 points, 2-2, last week 5): The commissioners have improved with each passing week, and the eruption from Trea Turner (59) was a big part of that in Week 4. The injuries are piling up, though, with Yoenis Cespedes, Joc Pederson, Jon Gray and Hyun-Jin Ryu on the DL. Matt Harvey (-3.7) wasn't even the worst Mets pitcher this week, which is saying something. 

3. Pitch! You Blockhead (711 points, 2-2, last week 4): Ho hum, here's another big performance from Eric Thames (23.5). Jacob deGrom (21), Nolan Arenado (19) and Mark Reynolds (18.5) did their part for Scott's team, but it wasn't enough in a loss to Quirkin'. Another FBLG theme for this week is starting pitchers who got lit up, and PYB's offering is Chad Kuhl (-3.3). 

4. Lawyers Guns and Money (707.3 points, 2-2, last week 3): It was a strange week for Matt's Fightin' Zevons. Bryce Harper (32.5) and A.J. Pollock (29.5) did more than their fair share, but the team was bogged down by the likes of A.J. Ramos (1), Jimmy Nelson (-1) and Willson Contreras (0). In an odd coincidence, Matt's top 3 pitchers (Jeremy Hellickson, Vince Velasquez and John Lackey) each went at least 6 innings and earned wins yet posted scores no higher than 11.3. 

Noah Syndergaard declined to get an MRI,
then went out and got seriously injured.
We're naming him our Dud of the Week
and sending him back to middle school.

5t. Project Mayhem (690.8 points, 2-2, last week 6): Kris Bryant put up 32 points for Bill and wasn't even close to being his leading scorer. What does that mean? It means Ryan Zimmerman (40) is back to being a middle-of-the-lineup threat. Jose Peraza (4) and Antonio Senzatela (0) were underwhelming, though. PM throttled the Sons of Clemente by about 75 points this week, and they now find themselves tied in points. Spooky, right? 

5t. Clemente’s Bucs (690.8 points, 2-2, last week, 2): Kenley Jansen (26.7), Clayton Kershaw (18) and Justin Bour (16.5) were awfully good for Ray this week. Everyone else? Barfaroo. Looking at you, Amir Garrett (-7.7), Aledmys Diaz (1.5), Stephen Strasburg (3), J.T. Realmuto (7), Eugenio Suarez (7) and Dee Gordon (8.5). 

7. Fresh Fish (671.3 points, 2-2, last week 8): Rick got enormous output from Daniel Murphy (39), Anthony Rendon (35), Matt Kemp (25.5) and Yasmany Tomas (20.5). It didn't matter, though; it was the wrong week to face Bodysuit Man. The difference was the pitching: Rick got 24 points from his hurlers, with only Adam Wainwright (11.3) scoring more than 4.3. 

8. Arbitration Losers (656 points, 2-2, last week 7): Paul Goldschmidt (32.5) was the only standout on Tim's team this week, so we'll spend most of this space poking fun at Tim for having Jeff Mathis on his roster. Mathis actually homered for the Losers, but he somehow managed only 2 points for the week. Is the moniker "Premium" meant to be sarcasm, like "Huey Lewis' Greatest Hits"?  

9. The Rookies (632.8 points, 2-2, last week 10): Henry's team was a 4-man wrecking crew against LGM. Zack Greinke (33) struck out 20 batters in 12 innings to lead the charge. On offense, Chris Owings (29), Ender Inciarte (28) and Freddie Freeman (25) put up points by the truckful. If you can win when Max Scherzer (5) and Jon Lester (2.7) disappoint while taking losses, you've got it made. 

10. The Misfits (571 points, 0-4, last week 9): Just about everything is going wrong for Reid's team. Sluggers Giancarlo Stanton (9) and Adrian Gonzalez (9) aren't slugging, closer Shawn Kelley (2) might not really be a closer, the starting pitchers (17, collectively) are struggling, and up-and-comers Stephen Piscotty (11.5) and Javier Baez (5) aren't doing much.  

Week 4: Sunday's Roundup

The Nationals scored 23 runs against the LOLMets on Sunday, and Anthony Rendon drove in almost half of them. 

Studs: Anthony Rendon (FF) got jealous of the monster numbers being put up by Trea Turner and Ryan Zimmerman, so he went 6 for 6 with 3 homers, a double, 5 runs and 10 RBIs. That's a cool 25-point day if you're keeping score at home. Before today, Rendon had 5 RBIs, 2 extra-base hits, 0 homers and 5 runs all season. Speaking of Zimmerman, he's making more appearances on this list this season than he did from 2014-16 combined. Zim (PM) went 3 for 5 with a double, 2 RBIs and 3 runs. Matt Wieters (PM) went 3 for 4 with 2 homers, 4 RBIs and 2 walks. Bryce Harper (LGM) homered, singled, walked twice and scored 4 runs. Hyun-Jin Ryu (Q) fanned 9 and allowed 1 run in a 5.1-inning win. Adam Duvall (BM) went 4 for 5 with 3 doubles, 2 runs and an RBI. Matt Carpenter (BM) doubled twice, drove in 3, walked and scored. Jay Bruce (AL) was a triple short of a cycle and drove in 2. Justin Bour (CB) went 4 for 5 with a homer, a double and 6 RBIs. 

Duds: Noah Syndergaard (BM) decided he didn't need an MRI on his arm, then proceeded to get knocked around before leaving the game with an arm injury. He allowed 5 runs and struck out 2 in a 1.1-inning loss. Mark Melancon (AL) allowed 2 runs while striking out 1 in 1 inning and blowing the save. Addison Russell (M) went 0 for 4 with an error. Curtis Granderson (R) went 0 for 3 with an error. Chris Owings (R) came off the went and went 0 for 2 with an error. 

Week 4: Saturday's Roundup

Matt Kemp points to the sky after one of his
many home runs against the Brewers. 

Studs: Matt Kemp (FF) homered 3 times and drove in 5, becoming the first Brave to go deep 3 times in a game since Mark Teixeira. Wil Myers (BM) hit a homer in San Francisco that still hasn't landed, singled twice, drove in 3, scored twice and stole a base. Freddie Freeman (R) doubled, singled twice, stole a base, drove in a run and scored twice. Ryan Zimmerman (PM) went 3 for 4 with yet another homer and 3 RBIs. Michael Conforto (PM) went 3 for 4 with 2 homers, 3 RBIs and a stolen base.

Dud: Jimmy Nelson (LGM) allowed 5 runs and struck out 2 in a 5-inning loss (see Kemp, Matt).

Note: The Reds and Cardinals were postponed by rain. No makeup date has been set. 

Week 4: Friday's Roundup

Francisco Cervelli took a break from stealing your girlfriend, boosted his batting average to .211 and made our Studs list. 

Studs: Ryan Zimmerman (PM) hit a 2-run homer and a solo homer. Ender Inciarte (R) singled, doubled, scored twice and drove in 3. Jacob deGrom (PYB) struck out 12 and allowed 3 runs in a 7-inning win. Lance Lynn (Q) allowed 1 run and struck out 5 in a 6-inning win. Francisco Cervelli (BM) singled, walked, scored twice and drove in 3 with a triple that should have been a single if not for the sheer incompetence of Marcell Ozuna. 

Duds: In addition to his exploits at the plate, Zimmerman committed 2 errors. So we're including him on both lists. Neftali Feliz (FF) struck out 1 in 1 inning but allowed 2 runs and took the loss. Eugenio Suarez (CB) went 1 for 3 with a walk and an error, committed his first — wait, really? — error of the season and got picked off third base to end a bases-loaded rally. 

Week 4: Thursday's Roundup

Not even his teammates could believe Chris Owings left the yard twice. 

Studs: Trea Turner (Q) had quite the series at Coors Field. He added 3 more hits, including a double, plus 2 RBIs and 2 runs — he's up to 50 points this week. Daniel Murphy (FF) was a triple short of a cycle, scored 3 runs and drove in 3. Yasmany Tomas (FF) homered, doubled and drove in 3. In a doubleheader, Matt Carpenter (BM) homered, singled, walked 3 times and drove in 6. Adam Eaton (BM) homered, doubled, drove in 2, scored 3 runs and walked twice. Chris Owings (R) homered twice, walked and stole a base. Kenley Jansen (CB) struck out the side in 1 inning of work and got the win. Taijuan Walker (PM) allowed 2 runs and struck out 11 in an 8-inning victory against the Padres, so we're not really impressed. 

Duds: Matt Harvey (Q) filled in for an injured Noah Syndergaard and did a terrible job, allowing 6 runs with only 1 strikeout in a 4.1-inning loss. Jim Johnson (PYB) allowed 2 runs in 1 inning. Jered Weaver (M) allowed 5 runs and struck out 1 in a 5.2-inning loss. Dee Gordon (CB) went 1 for 5 with an error. Mark Reynolds (PYB) went 0 for 4 with an error. 

Week 4: Wednesday's Roundup

Premium defender Jeff Mathis made an error.

Studs: Trea Turner (Q) continued to enjoy his series in Denver, finishing a triple shy of his second consecutive cycle, driving in 2 and scoring 3 runs. Many other Nats had a good day too: Daniel Murphy (FF) homered, scored twice and drove in 3. Bryce Harper (LGM) had 3 singles, a double, a walk and 2 runs. Ryan Zimmerman (PM) homered, singled twice and drove in 3. Elsewhere, Anthony Rizzo (FF) homered and drove in 4.  Maikel Franco (BM) hit a grand slam and 2 singles.  Paul Goldschmidt (AL) had 3 hits, 3 RBIs and stole a base. 

Duds: Yoenis Cespedes (Q) singled and made an error. Willson Conteras (LGM) lands on this list for the second straight day, singling and making an error. Jeff Mathis (AL) went 0-fer with an error, which is inexcusable for the greatest defensive catcher in history. Jose Peraza (PM) had a hit and an error. Carlos Gonzalez (PM) had a hit, a walk and an error.

Week 4: Tuesday's Roundup

Maybe Trea Turner needs the Spiderman undershirt more often?

Studs: Trea Turner (Q) posted the score to beat so far this season, hitting for the cycle and driving in 7 runs for a cool 29-point day. Daniel Murphy (FF) tripled, singled twice and drove in 5. Charlie Blackmon (BM) had a homer, 2 singles, 2 runs and 3 RBIs. Patrick Corbin (BM) struck out 9 and allowed 2 runs in a 7-inning win. AJ Pollock (LGM) had a single, a double, a walk, an RBI, 2 steals and 3 runs. Paul Goldschmidt (AL) homered and doubled among his four hits, adding 2 runs, 3 RBIs and a walk. Clayton Kershaw (CB) struck out 7 and allowed 1 earned run in a 7-inning win despite taking a liner off the shin from the game's first batter.

Interlude: Let's all make sure we take a moment to enjoy Chris Coghlan.

Chris Coghlan will try this at home. pic.twitter.com/SJrsSc4vbN

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) April 26, 2017

Duds: Willson Contreras (LGM) walked and was caught stealing. Aledmys Diaz (CB) went 0-fer with an error.

Week 4: Monday's Roundup

(Chad) Kuhl Hand Luke shouldn't have eaten all those eggs.
No man can eat 50 eggs.

Studs: David Peralta (Q) homered, singled twice, scored twice and stole a base. Eric Thames (PYB) homered twice, walked twice and drove in 3. Look out Barry Bonds' 73: he's coming for you. Chris Owings (R) hit a grand slam and also singled and stole a bag. Zach Greinke (R) had a 2015 flashback, striking out 11 and allowing 1 run in a 6-inning win. Arizona's terrible bullpen tried to blow and came close, but managed to hold off the "formidable" Padres "attack." Addison Russell (M) had 4 singles, 3 runs and an RBI.

Duds: Chad Kuhl (PYB) did his best impression of a batting practice pitcher, allowing 9 earned runs in a 1.2-inning loss. His catcher, Francisco Cervelli (BM), went 0-fer and made 2 errors. Eduardo Nunez (R) walked and was caught stealing. Amir Garrett (CB) had one of those rookie days, allowing 9 earned runs and striking out 1 in a 3.1-inning loss.

Week 3: The Check Swing

"Oh, Dansby Swanson! Now that father has taken ill and the bank foreclosed on the plantation, my life has been torn asunder! Please, Dansby, promise me you'll acquiesce to my every whim and support our life together as the shortstop for The Rookies. If that were to end, my darling Dansby, where shall I go? What shall I do?" "Frankly, my dear, I've been cut."

1. Bodysuit Man (591.7 points, 3-0, last week 1): Adam's team is first in points scored and has allowed the fewest points in FBLG, which explains how Bodysuit Man is FBLG's only undefeated team. BM rode a huge week from Charlie Blackmon (27) and a surprisingly large output from Wade Davis (17) to a blowout win against Arbitration Losers. 

2. Clemente’s Bucs (572.8 points, 2-1, last week, 2): Ray's team might have been able to take down LGM if not for Starling Marte's suspension and an injury to Lucas Duda (1). Jason Heyward (21.5) seems to be back on track this year, and the pitching was phenomenal with the staff combining for 84.3 points. Kudos to Ivan Nova (24), Clayton Kershaw (20), Stephen Strasburg (20) and Amir Garrett (14). 

3. Lawyers Guns and Money (548 points, 2-1, last week 6): Matt's team blew past the 200-point mark thanks to an incredible offensive display. The stars sure came out: Bryce Harper (37.5), Joey Votto (27), A.J. Pollock (27), Trevor Story (23) and Jake Lamb (23) were quite studly. Jeremy Hellickson (15) was the only pitcher with more than 6 points, but who cares?  

4. Pitch! You Blockhead (545.7 points, 2-1, last week 4): Is Eric Thames the best hitter on the planet? It sure seems that way after Scott's masher posted a 29-point week in a win against the Rookies. Mark Reynolds (18.5) continues to shine, and Christian Yelich (23) and Nolan Arenado (20.5) were up to their usual tricks. 

Ryan Zimmerman scored more points this week than
he did during the entire 2016 season. True story.  

5. Quirkin’ For a Livin’ (511.8 points, 1-2, last week 8): The Sons of Huey got 34 points from Lance Lynn and 20 from Mike Foltynewicz in a 10-point win against FBLG's other winless team, The Misfits. David Peralta (26) went off, but Yoenis Cespedes (7.5) and Joc Pederson (11) got hurt. Hey, what ever happened to that Kyle Hendricks guy? 

6. Project Mayhem (498.2 points, 1-2, last week 5): Lousy pitching (26.3 combined points) led to Bill's downfall in a loss to the Fish. Ryan Zimmerman (30.5) is hitting like it's 2009, and Cesar Hernandez (18.5) performed well. However, Johnny Cueto (-3) was bitten by the Coors Field bug and Aaron Nola posted a mediocre 8-point win before going on the DL.

7. Arbitration Losers (490.2 points, 1-2, last week 3): Tim's team got big performances from Ryan Braun's chemists (23), Paul Goldschmidt (25.5) and Jay Bruce (18), but it wasn't nearly enough. The Losers got nothing from Jeff Mathis (0), Brandon Crawford (4), Carlos Martinez (4) Yasiel Puig (3) and Julio Teheran (-3).

8. Fresh Fish (481.8 points, 2-1, last week 7): Rick's team got 25 points from Chase Anderson and 19 from Dan Straily, proving that sometimes baseball makes no sense. Anthony Rizzo (29.5) and Yasmany Tomas (23.5) did the heavy lifting on offense (yep, that's a fat joke at Yasmany's expense), making up for the lameness of Matt Moore (-1), Neftali Feliz (1), Travis d'Arnaud (0) and Jayson Werth (2). 

9. The Misfits (465.5 points, 0-3, last week 10): Giancarlo Stanton (27) and Brandon McCarthy (27) nearly got Reid's team into the win column, but the Misfits were undone by a stinker from Blake Treinen (0) and a blah outing from Madison Bumgarner (6). And now Bumgarner is on the DL for the first time in his career. Ouch. 

10. The Rookies (461.2 points, 1-2, last week 9): Not even superhuman weeks from Max Scherzer (38) and Freddie Freeman (33.5) could keep Henry's team from dropping in the rankings and losing to PYB. Atlanta's Dansby Swanson (4) was so bad that he got cut and was named our Reconstruction Era Dud of the Week; teammate Tyler Flowers (1.5) did nothing but post 3 walks. Where have you gone, Damon Berryhill? 

Week 3: Sunday's Roundup

Since joining the Pirates last year, Ivan Nova has thrown 4 complete games and issued 4 walks.
Think about that for a second. 

Studs: Max Scherzer (R) struck out 9 and allowed 3 runs in an 8-inning win. Mike Foltynewicz (Q) fanned 9 and allowed 1 run in a 7-inning no-decision. Brandon McCarthy (M) struck out 6 and allowed 2 runs in a 7-inning victory. Ivan Nova (CB) allowed 1 run and struck out 7 in a 7-inning win against the Yankees. Clemente's 1960 Bucs would be proud. Gerardo Parra (R), our only offensive Stud of the day, hit a 2-run homer and added an RBI single. He also scored 2 runs. 

Duds: Raisel Iglesias (PM) allowed 2 runs — 1 earned — and committed an error while fanning 1 in 1.2 innings. Brandon Drury (Q) went 0 for 4 with an error.