Welcome back for your "mid-season" review
All-Star Break Recap
I wish the All-Star break was closer to the midpoint of the season, which came and went like 2 weeks ago. All teams have played close to 90 games, with about 70 remaining. Either way, it's a good time to see how our league is doing.
Doug sits at the top of the standings, after outscoring the nearest competition by over 300 points. Looks like the regular season title is his to lose. A game behind Doug is Ralph, who has been the surprise at the top of the standings after a disappointing finish last season. It's not a coincidence that the top two teams also have made the most roster moves. Activity wins championships. Rounding up those with double digits wins are Pearse and myself. Pearse already played Doug twice, so he has the scheduling advantage in the race for 2nd place and the bye week. I've been bashing Allen for being lucky most of the year, but now he's actually unlucky that he isn't ranked higher, given the total points his team has scored to date. Losing 3 out of the last 5 against stiff competition (Doug, Ryan, myself) will do that to you. Finally, we have Ryan in 6th, who narrowly edges Bill for the coveted last playoff spot. The tie between Ryan and Shidler a few weeks back practically ensures that the points scored tiebreaker won't be necessary to decide the last playoff spot. A lot of baseball still to be played though, as 10 weeks remain and things can change in a heartbeat.
Reminder: Because of the ASB, the current matchup will last two weeks, until 7/26. Now on to the mid-season awards.
All-Star Break Recap
I wish the All-Star break was closer to the midpoint of the season, which came and went like 2 weeks ago. All teams have played close to 90 games, with about 70 remaining. Either way, it's a good time to see how our league is doing.
Doug sits at the top of the standings, after outscoring the nearest competition by over 300 points. Looks like the regular season title is his to lose. A game behind Doug is Ralph, who has been the surprise at the top of the standings after a disappointing finish last season. It's not a coincidence that the top two teams also have made the most roster moves. Activity wins championships. Rounding up those with double digits wins are Pearse and myself. Pearse already played Doug twice, so he has the scheduling advantage in the race for 2nd place and the bye week. I've been bashing Allen for being lucky most of the year, but now he's actually unlucky that he isn't ranked higher, given the total points his team has scored to date. Losing 3 out of the last 5 against stiff competition (Doug, Ryan, myself) will do that to you. Finally, we have Ryan in 6th, who narrowly edges Bill for the coveted last playoff spot. The tie between Ryan and Shidler a few weeks back practically ensures that the points scored tiebreaker won't be necessary to decide the last playoff spot. A lot of baseball still to be played though, as 10 weeks remain and things can change in a heartbeat.
Reminder: Because of the ASB, the current matchup will last two weeks, until 7/26. Now on to the mid-season awards.
Mid-season Awards
The best of the best and the worst of the worst. Players bit by the injury bug are ranked accordingly.
Hitter of the Mid-Season - Paul Goldschmidt (Good Will Bunting): 4.1 pts/gm
Goldschmidt is aiming at a 30/30 season, having hit 21 HRs and stolen 16 bases already. The 70 RBI also leads the majors. Did you know that Allen owns the top 3 run-producers in the majors in Goldy, Machado, and Stanton? Too bad Stanton will be on the shelf for a while. Runner-ups: Harper (4.3 pts/gm), Trout (3.8 pts/gm).
Goat of the Mid-Season, Hitter Edition - Ian Desmond (Walker Texas Rangers): 1.8 pts/gm
Ian Desmond, you've been so awful, you're the only preseason top-25 hitter to be averaging less than 2.0 pts/game. Other hitters have scored less total points (Puig), but there's an injury excuse there. What's your excuse, Mr. Desmond? Runner-ups: Beltré (2.3 pts/gm), Canó (2.3 pts/gm).
Pitcher of the Mid-Season - Max Scherzer (AbsolutDomination): 19.1 pts/gm
Mad Max narrowly edges Chris Sale for this award. Even if we take away the bonus for the no-hitter, Scherzer has been 20 points total better than Sale. Scherzer's 19.1 pts/gm are a whole 1 point better than Sale's 18.1 pts/gm. Still, can't say enough about how great both these guys have been. A distant 3rd is Zack Greinke, by the way.
Goat of the Mid-Season, Pitcher Edition - Stephen Strasburg (Home Grown Hitters): 6.2 pts/gm
Strasburg has been hurt quite a bit this year, with a variety of ailments. But when he's actually played, he hasn't helped anybody. His 6.2 pts/gm are less than relievers like Craig Kimbrel (6.4), Mark Melancon (6.4), Greg Holland (6.9), etc, you know you aren't pitching well. Runner-ups: Teheran (8.5), Lester (9.8), Iwakuma (6.4). At least Lester got his first major league hit.
Goat of the Mid-Season, Hitter Edition - Ian Desmond (Walker Texas Rangers): 1.8 pts/gm
Ian Desmond, you've been so awful, you're the only preseason top-25 hitter to be averaging less than 2.0 pts/game. Other hitters have scored less total points (Puig), but there's an injury excuse there. What's your excuse, Mr. Desmond? Runner-ups: Beltré (2.3 pts/gm), Canó (2.3 pts/gm).
Pitcher of the Mid-Season - Max Scherzer (AbsolutDomination): 19.1 pts/gm
Mad Max narrowly edges Chris Sale for this award. Even if we take away the bonus for the no-hitter, Scherzer has been 20 points total better than Sale. Scherzer's 19.1 pts/gm are a whole 1 point better than Sale's 18.1 pts/gm. Still, can't say enough about how great both these guys have been. A distant 3rd is Zack Greinke, by the way.
Goat of the Mid-Season, Pitcher Edition - Stephen Strasburg (Home Grown Hitters): 6.2 pts/gm
Strasburg has been hurt quite a bit this year, with a variety of ailments. But when he's actually played, he hasn't helped anybody. His 6.2 pts/gm are less than relievers like Craig Kimbrel (6.4), Mark Melancon (6.4), Greg Holland (6.9), etc, you know you aren't pitching well. Runner-ups: Teheran (8.5), Lester (9.8), Iwakuma (6.4). At least Lester got his first major league hit.
Surprising Hitter of the Mid-Season - Mark Teixeira (Home Grown Hitters): 3.6 pts/gm
Tex was so done last year that he went undrafted this season (O-rank: 259). That quickly changed after he started blasting HR after HR. He's up to 22 in the year, good to be the only hitter outside the preseason top 25 to be in the current top 25. Runner-ups: A-Rod, L. Cain, S. Vogt.
Actually, I just changed my mind. Stephen Vogt should get this award. 2nd among all catchers in total points, O-rank: 313. Screw the Yanks.
Week 15 Preview
#1 Doug vs. #9 Kagan:."Another one bites the dust...."
#2 Ralph vs. #5 Jon A.: One of two stellar two-week match-ups.
#3 Luis vs. #4 Pearse: And this would be stellar match-up #2.
#6 Ryan vs. #11 Kyle: Kyle's already thinking football season. Must-win for Ryan in his quest for 6th place.
#7 Bill vs. #10 Drew: Yawn.
#8 Jon S. vs. #12 Dugan: Can Dugan break Soltys' record for most losses in a season? What's the record anyway? The answer next week.
Tex was so done last year that he went undrafted this season (O-rank: 259). That quickly changed after he started blasting HR after HR. He's up to 22 in the year, good to be the only hitter outside the preseason top 25 to be in the current top 25. Runner-ups: A-Rod, L. Cain, S. Vogt.
Actually, I just changed my mind. Stephen Vogt should get this award. 2nd among all catchers in total points, O-rank: 313. Screw the Yanks.
Surprising Pitcher of the Mid-Season - Dallas Keuchel (Good Will Bunting): 18.1 pts/gm
This one is definitely the most lopsided of all awards. Keuchel has been outstanding, ranking 4th among all pitchers in total points. For someone that Yahoo ranked outside the top 200, that's simply amazing. Runner-up: Carlos Martinez (14.7 pts/gm).
Week 15 Preview
#1 Doug vs. #9 Kagan:."Another one bites the dust...."
#2 Ralph vs. #5 Jon A.: One of two stellar two-week match-ups.
#3 Luis vs. #4 Pearse: And this would be stellar match-up #2.
#6 Ryan vs. #11 Kyle: Kyle's already thinking football season. Must-win for Ryan in his quest for 6th place.
#7 Bill vs. #10 Drew: Yawn.
#8 Jon S. vs. #12 Dugan: Can Dugan break Soltys' record for most losses in a season? What's the record anyway? The answer next week.
Enjoy Bastille Day tomorrow!
