It’s been a wild couple of weeks for me, both in the fantasy baseball world and the real world. It’s why I’ve been a bit quiet, but I figure it’s about time I write about some baseball, so here are some notes.Gamblers heating up
The Sex Panthers can no longer walk around and tell random people that “I’m in first place in Jimmy’s baseball league and I don’t even like fantasy baseball.”
Note, that this sort of statement — said multiple times — comes from someone who calls me to say, “I forgot to start Josh Johnson, can you quickly fix that since the game hasn’t started?” She’s also been known to be like, “Dammit, Phil Coke!” Or she’ll sit there and brag about beating Parker. You can really tell that she doesn’t care.
Well, on the other side, Parker (Gamblers) will not shy away from telling you that fantasy baseball is his life — just ask his girlfriend Alicia.
And now, the Gamblers are in first place.
After suffering one of his worst losses in franchise history — 18-4-2 to the Panthers — he’s had four straight double-digit wins. In all, he’s posted double-digit wins in 8-of-9 matchups. (Though, that streak is currently in jeopardy as he trails to the Slammers heading into the weekend.)
Still, no lead is safe when it comes to playing the Gamblers. With the best average in fantasy baseball at .288, he’s taking care of most batting categories on a weekly basis. He’s in the top 2 or 3 in most offensive categories, including tops in runs scored (369), singles (460) and GW RBIs (45), which are big categories to be able to consistently win.
Leading the Gamblers — according to active stats and not the players’ actual MLB stats — Ryan Braun (.311), Joey Votto (.335) and Andre Ethier (.327) have been the top bats for the Gamblers. Also contributing, is Alexei Ramirez, who is batting .295 with 31 RBIs and 38 runs scored. Outside of Michael Young, who the Slammers took third overall, and Jose Reyes, who the Bombers selected with the sixth overall pick, Ramirez was the gem of the first round.
John Danks, Carlos Pena, Kevin Youkilis, Colby Lewis, Logan Morrison, Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Brandon Morrow were all taken before him. So was Curtis Granderson, whose batting average isn’t that great, but the 17 homers and 41 RBIs are nice to have. Still, a lot of people missed out on Ramirez.
But the Gamlbers Excel sheets said, “Take him,” and he did. He also went with Drew Stubbs with the very next pick and he’s been good to have for runs (44), homers (9) and RBIs (27). But when it comes to strikeouts, he is certainly a guy the Gamblers could do without (82 Ks to 24 walks, ouch).
Still, it hasn’t hurt the Gamblers much.
At 112-77-27 (.581), he’s No. 1 in baseball and 28 games ahead of the Big League Choo (79-100-37). I wouldn’t say the American League West is wrapped up yet because there’s still time, but it’s getting close.
Speaking of close divisions…
Team Suck has been a tough team to beat in the National League West, but the Backward Ks and Ronald Duncan have turned the division upside down.
The two are only two teams to have 100 wins in the same division. At 102-85-29, the Duncan owns a 3.5-game lead over the Ks (100-90-26). Team Suck is only 19 games behind, which is a lot in real baseball, but in fantasy, that can be erased in two to three weeks, easily. But, that doesn’t seem to be happening with the Ks leading 13-8-3 on Thursday.
The two have been consistent and have similar numbers in several categories and that should make for a great run to the playoffs. I’m looking forward to watching this battle, especially since there are two matchups left — including in the final week of the season — and the Ks have won 15-9-0 and 16-5-3 in the first two.
Holy Hamels!
It’s not too early to start the talk. At 8-2, Cole Hamels is in the running for the Cy Young. On a staff that includes Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Roy Oswalkt, Hamels has been the best.
After his horrid first game (six runs in 2.2 innings), he posted a 2.08 ERA and gone 8-1. The Phillies are 10-3 when Hamels starts, and overall, Hamels is 8-2 with a 2.58 ERA, 91 Ks and 18 walks. His 0.95 WHIP is outstanding. That’s the kind of WHIP you look for in a great reliever. It’s one that is rare for a “No. 4” starting pitcher.
At this rate, if the playoffs were to start tomorrow, Halladay would start Game 1 because of what he can do and I would have Hamels start Game 2. He’s earned it.
And if he keeps this up throughout the summer, he’ll be close to 20 wins and in line for his first Cy Young.
The other great thing about this is his age. Cole is only 27 and many people tend to forget about this. If he can remain healthy, he can rival some of the all-time greats in Philadelphia.
It’s also great to see this after his 2009 season that he “just couldn’t wait for it to be over.” It’s a quote that was taken out of context and it haunted him for a while, but I think it’s safe to say that is history. He may want this season to be over soon, too, but surely he wants it to be over with another World Series ring on his hand — and maybe, another World Series MVP trophy.
CC Sabathia to Philadelphia?OK, it sounds crazy when you say it, but so did Roy Halladay to Philly, Roy Oswalt to Philly and Cliff Lee to Philly twice.
But let me state my case.
Next season, Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton come off the books. That leaves an opening for a fourth starter. Oswalt will likely not be resigned, especially with all the injury concerns, so that’s a combined $26.5M off the books, which is plenty enough for CC Sabathia, who is making $24.2M this year. That’s reason No. 1.
Reason No. 2 is that he wants to win again, and the Yankees may not provide the best chance in his mind.
Reason No. 3 is that he has to miss the National League. He was dominant in his short stint in the NL with the Brewers. In his 130.2 innings with the Brewers, he had a 1.65 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP, both career-bests. He also struck out 128 to 25 walks, also a second-best career ratio. At 11-2 with seven complete games and three shutouts, it was easily his best run in his career.
His second-best was in 2007 when he was 19-7 with 209 Ks and a 3.21 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with the Indians, when he was a teammate of Cliff Lee, who is reason No. 4.
Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia are still good friends and he could easily talk him into coming to Philly. Think about it. Cliff came to Philly because of what this rotation could do. CC could be persuaded to be a part of history, too.
So mark it down, CC in Philly in 2012.
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