There’s change once again at the top of the Master standings! The Fugs (Epic Beardmen Division) shot up from 11th to grab the lead with 109 points. Trini (Psychic Friends Network — RCL 22) moved back up the leaderboard and sits in second, just 1 behind. captainpyper (RCL 3) gained 1 position, and is now 3rd with 106 points. Achilles (Tennessee Mash — RCL 22) and Simply fred (The Fredsies — ECFBL) are next with 105, followed by Team Birdis (a second team in the top 10 for RCL 3), Pig Charmer (Grunge Ball — RCL 16), and Beardcrabs (The Gaylords — Conshellation Prize), another point back. NYC Matthole (Ones are GOOD right) and MattTruss223 (Rube Waddell’s Shiny Objects — Magnificent Mustachioed Men) finish out the top 10 with 102 points.
The Fugs are anxiously awaiting the return of their number 1 pick, Evan Longoria, to an offense boasting Andrew McCutchen (.323, 10 HR, 13 SB), Jay Bruce (15 HR/44 RBI), Paul Konerko (.359, 12 HR, 36 RBI) and Starlin Castro (.298/16 SB). Their pitching leaders include Gio Gonzalez (8 Wins/2.52/1.02), Madison Bumgarner (8 Wins/2.92/1.07), Shawn Marcum (acquired in a trade along with Brian Shaw for Brandon League and Chris Perez), Yovani Gallardo (picked up in a deal for Henry Rodriguez), and R.A. Dickey (4 Wins/0.00/0.55 since being added May 23).
Three teams gained 12 points this week to move up impressively in the overall standings. Bay Bombers (Razz Roto 2) jumped into the top 20, gaining 72 spots to 18th. 9Men + 6Beer = BigProblem (Soylent green is Albright) moved up 97 places to 55th, while Jackie Treehorns (Fausto or Roberto?) went from 191st to 85th.
There was no change in the Competitive Index standings as the ECFBL continued to prove they are the class of the RCL with a 104 rating. RCL 9 and Matthew Berry is a Tool are the best of the rest at 103.
Some interesting names were hitting the waivers this week, as frustrated and impatient owners dropped Ichiro Suzuki, Howie Kendrick, Drew Stubbs, Lance Berkman, Mike Moustakas (hey, I waited as long as I could), Ricky Romero, Yovani Gallardo, and even 2-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum. Meanwhile, the likes of Pedro Alvarez, Casey McGehee, Ike Davis, Carlos Marmol, and, of course, Trevor Plouffe were being added.
Expert League: Rudy held on to first place and moved up to 26th overall, but Ryan Carey (Mastersball Carey) closed to within a half a point, joining Rudy in the top 30 at 29th. Ryan added Plouffe on Tuesday and was rewarded with 4 home runs. Joey Votto continued his strong play for Rudy (.476/5 Runs/2 HR/6 RBI for the week), but his starting pitching took a hit with both Brandons, Beachy and Morrow, hitting the DL (joining Longoria and Stubbs on Rudy’s injured list). As 1 of just 11 teams in the RCL with an ERA under 3, pitching has been key to Rudy’s success. So, he immediately took steps to shore up his staff, acquiring Yu Darvish from Jonathan Halket (Hardball Times Halket) for Santiago Casilla in the first Expert League trade. Grey had a 3.12 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this week, but hitting was once again a problem. He benched Ryan Zimmerman, but Giancarlo Stanton and Chris Young were a combined 4-for-48 with no home runs.
Trades: There were 12 more deals this week, running the total for the season to 153. Ones are GOOD right? saw 3 trades as Tony (WoodyPaige AllStars) dealt away Ian Kennedy (to Conti Crushers for Madison Bumgarner) and Pablo Sandoval (for Jon Lester). The Crushers also were able to acquire Carlos Quentin in exchange for Lincecum. In Original Recipe, Tigers Prince Fielder and Justin Verlander were traded for each other. Justin Upton was dealt with Ryan Cook for Troy Tulowitzki and Michael Saunders in Beef SAGNOF. Fantasy living legend Chris (Retro Vertigo — ECFBL) figured he could turn Ryan Zimmerman around, giving up Michael Young and Yoenis Cespedes to acquire the struggling 3B. You can find all the trades along with stats and daily recaps in the fantasy baseball forums. Look for the RCL under “Everything Else.”
Weekly Leaders
The Flying Ellsburys (Cust Kayin’) hit .322, and scored 49 runs with 21 home runs, 52 RBI, and 2 stolen bases to take hitting honors this week. Plouffe (.391/8 Runs/5 HR/7 RBI), Ryan Braun (4 HR/7 RBI), Carlos Beltran (.455/3 Runs/1 HR/2 RBI/1 SB), and Adrian Beltre (.435/6 Runs/1 HR/6 RBI) paced this high-flying offense.
Average: .329 (The Enigmas — RCL #22)
Runs: 51 (Butte Marauders — The Dread Pirate Returns, Now I Am LeMaster — RCL 44)
HR: 21 (The Flying Ellsburys — Cust Kayin’)
RBI: 56 (In any sport Speed Killz! — RCL 41 )
SB: 18 (Retro Vertigo — ECFBL)
Rube Waddell’s Shiny Objects (Magnificent Mustachioed Men) matched last week’s pitching leaders, Rank Railheads, with 20 decisions (8 Wins, 12 Saves). They recorded 88 strikeouts in 97.2 innings with an ERA of 3.04 and 1.11 WHIP. Madison Bumgarner had 2 fine starts and Rafael Soriano led the relievers with 4 saves, while Ernesto Frieri added 3. Hanley’s Hustle (Yu Ain’t Goldschmidt) also had a good week, with 5 wins, 6 saves, and ratios of 0.86 and 0.59, while striking out 84 in 73.1 innings.
Ks: 109 (Vas Deferans — Sphinctory Staff Inflection)
Wins: 8 (RW’s Shiny Objects — Magnificent Mustachioed Men, Cellar Dwellers — Matthew Berry Is A Tool)
Saves: 15 (Fec Mode Squad — Toads n Wet Rocks)
ERA: 0.86 (Hanley’s Hustle — Yu Ain’t Goldschmidt)
WHIP: 0.59 (Hanley’s Hustle — Yu Ain’t Goldschmidt)
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| TEAM OF THE WEEK – June 11 — 17 |
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| Bay Bombers (Razz Roto 2) |
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| 73/281 (.260) 40 R/19 HR/49 RBI/4 SB |
47.1 IP 53 K/3 W/1.71/0.82/9 S |
| The Bombers were on the move thanks to Ryan Braun and Melky Cabrera. Braun (.357/4 Runs/4 HR/7 RBI) and Cabrera (.320/3 Runs/2 HR/6 RBI) provided everything but speed. Adam Jones hit .429 and scored 5 times, while Jay Bruce drove in 7, but hit only .100. Michael Cuddyer hit .296 with 5 runs, 3 home runs, and 6 RBI. Madison Bumgarner gave up 2 runs in 15.2 innings, with 16 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.64 to lead the pitching staff. Matt Moore picked up a win, throwing 7 scoreless innings while striking out 8 and allowing just 4 baserunners. Ernesto Frieri and Huston Street each recorded 3 saves. | |
