In the last month Brian Dozier has been bulldozing opponents like it’s his job. Technically it is his job, but he gets an “A” for effort and is the run away candidate for Employee of the Month. Gary Sanchez who? After two hot weeks, he’s been more like Harry Sanchez. And in case you didn’t know who Harry Sanchez was, the Urban Dictionary defines him as “Same as Dirty Sanchez with the addition of pulling the hair from ones taint, and making a mustache from the left overs of the dirty sanchez.” While I’m pretty sure anyone can add entries to the Urban Dictionary as I’ve done so myself, I’d have to say this description is pretty accurate considering Gary has totaled zero points in the last two weeks. Just in time for points leagues playoffs. (This opening was written on Friday before Sanchez hit two home runs.)
I’m not sure how I got diverted onto the hershey highway, but I do have a habit of getting off topic. In the past twenty-eight days Brian Dozier has accumulated 132 points. While doing so he has hit 16 home runs, drove in 26 runs, scored 28 and stole 6 bases in 109 at bats. While most of you that read me know that I am more of a plate appearances guy than an at bats, in this case it doesn’t really matter. Let me put Dozier’s performance into perspective. In 338 at bats this season Carlos Gomez has 113 points. In 371 at bats Alex Gordon has 172 points. With about 3.5 times as many at bats, Gordon has only 40 more points. And in 346 at bats Jose Bautista has 253 points. Perhaps these aren’t the best comparisons, but they are good enough to show just how much of a force Dozier has been. Sixteen home runs is more than Brandon Belt (15), Buster Posey (12), Hunter Pence (10), Josh Reddick (9) have all season. With 460 points Bulldozier is now the third highest scoring second baseman behind only Jose Altuve (520) and Daniel Murphy (472).
Jose Abreu – In the last three weeks Abreu has a .403 batting average. That’s some George Brett sh!t right there. During that span he has nine home runs and 94 points. While he might have let down some owners earlier in the season, he is certainly rewarding those that currently own him. I’ve said it all season, he’s going to end the season with at least 30 bombs and 100 rib eye steaks. Speaking of rib eyes, I cooked one up on the Weber last night, reverse sear style, and it was delicious. Almost as good as Jose has been down the stretch.
Nolan Arenado – Is it me or does “Arenado” sound like the name of a Japanese steak house? Nolan is beginning to pull away with the points league third base MVP award. Recently he’s been on par with Abreu, the difference is that he’s been this good all season. 91 points in the last twenty-one days and 517 on the season. Only Altuve has more. Arenado is only a few swings away from his second consecutive 40/130 season.
Recent Hot Points League Players
Kendrys Morales – In the last fourteen days Kendrys has 6 home runs, 16 RBIs, 13 runs scored and, most importantly, 65 points. The moral(es) of this story, get him while he’s hot.
Adrian Beltre – In his last thirteen games, Beltre has 61 fantasy points. Mookie Betts has 41, Kris Bryant has 41, and Edwin Encarnacion has 40. Remember is doesn’t matter how a player earns his points. Points are points. With 416 points, Beltre is the sixth highest scoring third baseman this season. Yo Adrian! And no, Sylvester Stallone is NOT dead. That’s Apollo.
Rougned Odor – Ooooh that smell. Can’t you smell that smell. Ooooh that smell. The smell of Rougned surrounds you. In the last two weeks he has 6 homers and 60 points. On the season he now has 30 homers, 82 RBIs, 84 runs and 12 stolen bases. Sounds pretty good, huh? It does, but guess what. There are twelve 2B with more points that Odor year-to-date.
Honorable Mention (last two weeks)
Kevin Kiermaier – 55 points
Alex Bregman – 54 points
Freddie Freeman – 54 points
Justin Upton – Since I’ve sh!t on Justin at just about every corner of this season (deservedly so), I feel it’s only fair that I throw him a mention. 51 points!
Despite being out since late June, Clayton Kershaw is still in the top 15 starting pitchers based on points scored.
Guess who has more points this season game.
Without looking up the answers, try and answer these in the comment section. I’d offer a prize, but that would incentivize cheating.
Rick Porcello or David Price?
J.A. Happ or Carlos Martinez?
Carlos Carrasco or Kyle Hendricks?
Ryan Braun or Buster Posey?
Starling Marte or Jose Ramirez?
Andrew McCutchen or Nick Markakis?
Jonathan Schoop or Yoenis Cespedes?
Todd Frazier or Justin Turner?
Eduardo Nunez or Brandon Crawford?
I could keep going with this list, but I just don’t feel like it.
If you’re still setting your lineup and fighting to earn points, congratulations for making it this far. At this point it’s win at all costs. Good luck!
Rumble, rumble. Crunch, crunch. Tough little Dozier!
