Two weeks ago, I was downplaying a 12-0 sweep, in which several of the categories were decided by slim margins. Last week, I squeaked out a 7-4 decision that could have gone either way. Once again, I feel fortunate, as my Toronto Walrus remains in first place after a 10-2 victory over the Thunderbirds that doesn't reflect how close the match really was. A mere .008 of AVG, .011 of OBP and .09 in K/BB decided three "games" — I was relieved when it was over, as my hitters, who had been strong all week, collapsed with a 5/38 Sunday. But I'll take it.
Second place AGF is only two games back; their 9-3 win dropped hannibal’s cannibals from fifth to ninth in the standings. The rejuvenated Horse Field Hammers, led by Barry Bonds’ .714 OBP, edged last year’s champion Austin Senators 7-4 to hang on to third place. Billie’s Bashers got back into the thick of the race with an 11-1 drubbing of Jicks Rays, while the Eastern Shore Birds took over fifth by whipping Garces_not_on_roids 9-3. Baird Brain, my opponent this week, thrashed gashouse gorillas 9-2 and moved into the sixth spot.
The SABR Magicians enjoyed their best week yet, winning 10-2 over the slumping Reykjavik Fish Candy. I realize it's still early, and it only takes one or two good weeks in Head-to-Head play to turn things around, but the slow-starting teams must be getting nervous about relegation. The battle to avoid the cellar may be as intense and interesting as the one at the top this season.
The Alomar standings, through four of 22 weeks:
My weekly MVP is a tough call; Matt Lawton had 10 singles in 21 AB, which helps the old AVG and OBP, but my entire pitching staff deserves praise, combining for a 1.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 6 wins and 4 saves. LVP was Julio Mateo, who paid for his ineffectiveness with his job. I’m also concerned about Marlon Byrd, mired in a month-long slump and a permanent resident of Larry Bowa’s doghouse -- which is cause and which is effect, I'm not entirely sure, but the waiver papers are signed and sitting by the fax machine.
[whine]Nobody wants to trade with me[/whine] — I'd move a speedy OF and a pitcher for an OF with more pop, if anyone is interested.
Second place AGF is only two games back; their 9-3 win dropped hannibal’s cannibals from fifth to ninth in the standings. The rejuvenated Horse Field Hammers, led by Barry Bonds’ .714 OBP, edged last year’s champion Austin Senators 7-4 to hang on to third place. Billie’s Bashers got back into the thick of the race with an 11-1 drubbing of Jicks Rays, while the Eastern Shore Birds took over fifth by whipping Garces_not_on_roids 9-3. Baird Brain, my opponent this week, thrashed gashouse gorillas 9-2 and moved into the sixth spot.
The SABR Magicians enjoyed their best week yet, winning 10-2 over the slumping Reykjavik Fish Candy. I realize it's still early, and it only takes one or two good weeks in Head-to-Head play to turn things around, but the slow-starting teams must be getting nervous about relegation. The battle to avoid the cellar may be as intense and interesting as the one at the top this season.
The Alomar standings, through four of 22 weeks:
# Team W-L-T WPct GB
1 Toronto Walrus 35-11-2 .750 --
2 AGF 32-12-4 .708 2
3 Horse Field Hammers 32-15-1 .677 3.5
4 Billie's Bashers 31-16-1 .656 4.5
5 Eastern Shore Birds 30-17-1 .635 5.5
6 Baird Brain 28-17-3 .615 6.5
7 Mebion Glyndwr 26-21-1 .552 9.5
8 Chatsworth Halos 26-22-0 .542 10
9 hannibal's cannibals 25-21-2 .542 10
10 Springfield Isotopes 24-22-2 .521 11
11 gashouse gorillas 23-23-2 .500 12
12 Moscow Rats 22-23-3 .490 12.5
13 SABR Magicians 22-25-1 .469 13.5
14 K-Town Mashers 18-26-4 .417 16
15 Thunderbirds 18-27-3 .406 16.5
16 Austin Senators 16-26-6 .396 17
17 Red Mosquitos 18-28-2 .396 17
18 Reykjavik Fish Candy 13-33-2 .292 22
19 Garces_not_on_roids 12-36-0 .250 24
20 Jick's Rays 9-39-0 .188 27
My weekly MVP is a tough call; Matt Lawton had 10 singles in 21 AB, which helps the old AVG and OBP, but my entire pitching staff deserves praise, combining for a 1.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 6 wins and 4 saves. LVP was Julio Mateo, who paid for his ineffectiveness with his job. I’m also concerned about Marlon Byrd, mired in a month-long slump and a permanent resident of Larry Bowa’s doghouse -- which is cause and which is effect, I'm not entirely sure, but the waiver papers are signed and sitting by the fax machine.
[whine]Nobody wants to trade with me[/whine] — I'd move a speedy OF and a pitcher for an OF with more pop, if anyone is interested.
