At this point the winner will either be me or Caleb. Although Mark is ahead of me right now (42 to 41.5), his pitching staff hasn't been strong enough to allow him to pick up any more points. Because he currently is leading in all the offensive categories but stolen bases (where he trails me by 12), he won't be able to pick up any points there. In the pitching categories he is leading the league in wins, and well behind in WHIP (0.06) and probably far enough behind in ERA (0.13) that he won't be able to catch Spencer. 27 saves behind me and 26 strikeouts behind Spencer, he won't be able to make up any ground in either of those categories as well. In fact, now that Ziegler may have lost the Oakland closer job, and because Mark is using lots of starting pitchers this week, he may lose a point to Luke, who is one save behind him.
Caleb also is not in a good position to gain any more points, although he only needs to hang on to what he has. He might be able to gain a point on Mark in wins (3 back), but with Mark starting a full complement of starters, that will be difficult. The only other category where he could pick up a point is in RBI, where he trails me by ten, but that isn't likely to change in a week.
Now, the interesting part (at least for me). Depending on how this last week plays out, I could gain as many as 5.5 points. The key will be homeruns and RBI, which is why I snagged guys like Napoli, Cust, and Shealy for this last week. After today's outburst, which made me much happier with my team, I'm two homeruns behind Andrew, and three behind Caleb. I'm also 5 RBI behind Andrew, so with a solid power week I could be at 44.5, with Caleb losing at least one, possibly two points (to 45 or 44). I could also gain points in wins (1 behind Caleb, assuming the Royals bullpen doesn't blow it) and, surprisingly, ERA, where I trail Caleb by only 0.04, thanks to a great week by my pitchers. Gaining a point in either category, and taking one from Caleb, would be huge. Finally, I'm also tied with Spencer right now for WHIP at 1.29. I probably won't be able to catch Andrew (1.27), but an extra 0.5 points would be huge. At this point in the season, one terrible start could be the difference between winning the league, and finishing second and ending up with a shitty draft pick. Hopefully it will be an interesting final week.
8 comments:
I can't believe I'm somewhat relevant in this whole thing. Wasn't I projected to finish with 23 points or somesuch number? Anyway, that three day stretch when I hit 12 hrs was pretty sweet. It's nice to be able to play the spoiler.
In the end, my pitching couldn't hold up. I tried spot starting down the stretch and it just fell apart. I could have tried to go after strikeouts a little earlier and perhaps caught spencer, but that would have only gained me one point. Basically, I hit a wall at 42. Being last in three categories is too much to overcome.
i thought i was the spoiler andrew. don't take all the credit
Honestly, I hope it's an interesting week too. I hope I finish first, also. And that I still get a decent draft pick because so many people are keeping their first rounders. And that I win again next year.
I need it, see, to make up for my football season.
Napoli, Shealy, and Cust worked out for you so far, Bill. All three went deep yesterday, and Cust has again today. So has Blalock (who has been great since coming off the DL, BTW), luckily for me. Your closeness in homeruns is why I settled on starting Bradley over DeJesus, which was not my original intention.
I don't see my offensive status changing at all, though you tying/catching me in HR is certainly possible. I'm worried about my team's ERA, and can't afford another bad start (I'm looking at you, Cliff). Amazingly, I should hold up in Saves.
I don't know how you can say you holding up in saves is amazing. You have K-Rod, who has more saves than anyone else in the AL by about 20. I think it is amazing that you didn't lock it up earlier.
"Amazingly" included K-Rod's performance, actually. He's been insane. I went with 2 closers most of the year, and was behind you at the trade deadline, and you brought in Joe Nathan. If I were faster with the waiver wire during the season I might have locked it up sooner, but 2 closers against 3 is gonna be a hard win, most days. It was finally finding a third closer in Jensen Lewis that won me saves, in the end.
By the way, that bad start I was worrying about? Edwin Jackson's given up 6 runs in 2 innings so far tonight.
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