RCL Update: The Week That Was, Week 18, 2025

What a difference a week makes.  We are just getting back into the groove after the ASB, Nick Kurtz is going second-half league winner and the #60 overall pick and top RP pick in the RCLs this year has been suspended as part of a gambling ring.  Emmanuel Clase threw away so much potential cash to allegedly make a few bucks with some gamblers.  Maybe, we’ll see how things shake out, but it doesn’t look good.  The fact MLB already suspended him through August sure seems like they know things.  Is a lifetime ban on tap?  Either way, I dropped Clase in the two RCLs where I had him (one of which – ECFBL – where RPs are at a huge premium and I just took over first place…ouch).  I only had Cade Smith stashed in one league, but anyone who did just fell into a huge value.  Right before the trade deadline too!  August 5th is our RCL trade deadline, maybe reach out to that Clase manager and see what comes of a Cade Smith offer.  Here’s what else went down in the Razzball Commenter Leagues in week 18:

‘PERTY ‘PERTS

Each week we’ll peek in at our resident ‘perts to see who is laying claim to best “expert” RCLer in the land.  We’ll take notes, check the standings and generally stalk them.  The heading is also hyperlink, so feel free to follow along as we go.

I thought I was having a good week, and then I saw Mike C.  Mike posted 10.5 points this week and took over first place with authority!  This is the first time Kirkset hasn’t held the top spot since back in April.  It’s been a long fight for Mike, he started at the bottom, now he’s here.  Should be a fun battle down the stretch!  I picked up nine points this week and moved up a league-high three spots in the standings, into fourth place, the highest I’ve been all season.  Maybe things are coming together in the second half.  Cram It was the big loser this week, dropping six points and falling three places in the standings, down to seventh.

RAZZSLAM STANDINGS UPDATE

Each week we’ll also take a look at the top ten overall standings in our other Razzball sponsored league, the RazzSlam.  This is our NFBC Best Ball league with managers from all across the industry, from content providers to fans and readers just like you.

Taylor Case had a slip-up this week and lost his top spot to Matt Poole.  Taylor is still in position to advance, though.  Rudy slipped out of the top ten this week, but Rob Sherwood held on for now.  David Emerick fell out of the WC slot, and Joseph Camp jumped in.  It’s all about points and positioning at this point.

TRADES

All the trades that have gone down in the past week.  Public ridicule is not only allowed, but encouraged.

Ten more deals this week as we near the trade deadline.  By the time you read this we’ll have just over a week to get those deals made.  August 5th at midnight is our deadline.

Some big deals this week with Bobby Witt, Corbin Carroll, Julio Rodriguez, and Brent Rooker all on the move.  I think it could be a smart move to buy-low on Gunnar Henderson, I just don’t have the gumption considering how many times I drafted him this season.  Fingers crossed for a big final two months.  No one traded for Clase, but Son did get a rough deal trading for Paredes right before the hammy injury.

WEEKLY LEADERS

The best of the best from the week that was.

R – 57 – Escape from the Planet of the Vegans (FCL), MCs Hammer (Laura Holt Challenge), & BuckRunAllStars (RCL 18)

HR –23 – tberkman (RCL 33)

RBIs – 58 – You Were the Chosen Juan (RCl 31)

SB – 16 – Mudville Nine (RCL 14), Don’t Panic (RCL 6), & puregolddol (RCL 30)

AVG – .336 – cubeee (RCL 27)

K – 90 – Something Witty (RCL 10)

W – 7 –  7 Teams Tied

SV –  10 – Ptown High Heat (RCL 19)

ERA (Min. 40 IP) – 1.30 – FANTASY ICON (DFSers Anonymous) (in 48.1 IP)

WHIP (Min. 40 IP) – 0.744 – Curried Moustache Rides (RCL 20) (in 41.2 IP)

It was a bit of a down week, and we didn’t set any new weekly records.  When Nick Kurtz went bonkers I definitely thought we’d have a shot at a new HR record, but alas, tberkman was four dingers shy.

Some more stats from the week, courtesy of VinWins:

33 teams had an ERA below 2.00. 23 were above 6.

17 teams hit under .200

15 teams hit over .300.

65.3% of the schedule has been completed. 653 IP would be on pace for the 1000 IP minimum. 914 IP is on pace for the maximum 1400 IP.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

Our weekly shout out to the team that killed it the previous week.

Team: tberkman

League: RCL 33

Stats:   AVG: .280, R: 49, HR: 23, RBI: 54, SB: 7

IP: 56.2, ERA: 2.54, WHIP: 0.812, K: 62, W: 3, SV: 3

Summary: A very well-rounded week for tberkman who benefitted from Nick Kurtz’s historic night.  Shoutout to bandidos who called tberkman’s TOW honors after that game.  Yes, I am in this league, no, I am not doing well.  Tberkman is though!  They gained 6 points and moved up from seventh to fifth.  Nick Kurtz’s 6 for 6 – four HR game sparked the offense. Kurtz finished the week with nine runs, five homers, eleven ribbies, and a steal while hitting .600. Matt Shaw hit .400 with three long balls and nine driven in. Julio Rodriguez added four solo shots and two stolen bases. On a short schedule day (Thursday, 5 games) Tony showed his talent with a couple batty calls. Nolan Schanuel and Nathan Lukes combined to go 4 for 10 with a home run, two runs, and three runs batted in. Paul Skenes was the pitching star, winning twice while striking out 15 in 12 scoreless innings. Tyler Glasnow contributed 12 Ks in seven innings, and Devin Williams chipped in a couple of saves.  Impressive stuff, Tony!

Want to be my internet pal?  That’s kinda creepy, but you can follow me on the bluest of skies: @matttruss.bsky.social