HP PhoeGnomes (1 – 4) vs.  KK Thunderwolves (3 – 1 – 1)

Before Week 06, the PhoeGnomes and Thunderwolves were trending in different directions.  Heather’s team struggled mightily while the Thunderwolves started strong.  Everything changed this week.  The Thunderwolves posted good numbers but the PhoeGnomes had the best pitching in the league.  Leading the way were Zach Eflin and Blake Snell.  The pair combined to allow just two earned runs over 20.2 innings pitched.   Snell threw 11.2 of those innings and struck out an astounding 21 batters.  Chris Sale was also strong – he struck out 14 in just 8.0 IP.  This base was too much for the Thunderwolves to handle.  Heather won strikeouts, quality starts, ERA, and WHIP.  The team’s ERA and WHIP were easily the best in the league.  Kyle had an okay pitching week, but he faced to steep a climb to challenge Heather’s best results.

The offensive battle was closer.  Each team had good power numbers.  George Springer had five home runs and 10 RBI for the PhoeGnomes.  Kyle countered with a three homer week from Michael Brantley.  Heather usually steals many bases, but the team was held in check this week.  Kyle won the category with just two.  He also had a slightly higher SLG since seven players had home runs.  However, Springer’s week was enough to give Heather home runs, RBI, and OBP.  When added to her pitching numbers, this was enough to take a secure win.  The Thunderwolves were respectable, but Heather picked up a desperately needed win.  It remains to be seen whether she can build on the remarkable pitching results, but at least it’s a step in the right direction for the struggling franchise.

JK Lannisters (3 – 2) vs.  LK Armadillos (2 – 1 – 2)

The Armadillos and Lannisters met in another close contest.  Both teams had solid pitching, but the Lannisters managed to pull ahead slightly on offense thanks to a balanced attack.  Larry managed to win three pitching categories including saves and both rate stats.  Hyun-Jin Ryu was almost as good as Blake Snell – he threw 17 innings, struck out 15, recorded two quality starts, allowed no earned runs and had a 0.35 WHIP.  Other Armadillos’ pitchers performed well, including Patrick Corbin and Matthew Boyd.  A few bad outings from Noah Syndergaard and Max Fried kept the team from being in the PhoeGnomes class, but they were still outstanding.  The Lannisters had productive weeks from their starters but they gave up more runs and walks.  Luis Castillo was the standout – he threw only 6.0 IP but had 11 strikeouts.  Jacob deGrom and Stephen Strasburg also added 26 strikeouts combined.  Jeff easily won the category and quality starts, leaving the Armadillos with just a small lead.

On offense, Larry couldn’t find any rhythm.  Alex Bregman stayed hot with three home runs.  Six other players also had home runs, but the team continued to struggle with a low batting average, meaning they weren’t getting singles, doubles, or triples to go with their home runs.  This also cascades into OBP issues.  The Lannisters won SLG and OBP with ease – they had 20 more walks than the Armadillos.  They also won home runs thanks to a solid team effort.  Mike Trout had two and eight other players had one.  Mookie Betts had a 0.467 OBP and Jose Martinez added solid production.  They easily led the league in RBI.   Larry took steals, but it wasn’t enough.  The Lannisters claimed a 6-4 victory over a team that typically gives them problems.  This could be a useful win as the season moves along.

RK Possums (2 – 3) vs.  SM Lasershow (1 – 4)

The Possums overcame a slow pitching week thanks to dominant offense to earn a win over the Lasershow.  Like the Armadillos, the Possums displayed extreme home run power.  They led the league with 16 and had seven combined from Charlie Blackmon and Eugenio Suarez.  However, they were unable to produce as many RBI as one might expect.  They still won the category but only 4^th in the league overall.  Sean didn’t offer much power, but he did lead the league in steals thanks to Yasiel Puig and Francisco Lindor.  They also had the league’s best OBP behind Jeff McNeil and Andrelton Simmons.  Improving OBP is a critical area for the Lasershow, so hopefully this step lasts.  They also had a good SLG but the Possums took the category based on their home runs.  This gave Rick a slim 3-2 lead.

On pitching the Lasershow had far superior quality – they won ERA and WHIP with little trouble.  Eduardo Rodriquez and Jhoulys Chacin were outstanding and didn’t allow a run over two starts.  Felipe Vazquez picked up three saves.  However, Rick was able to tie this critical category behind Shane Greene and Sean Doolittle.  Andrew Miller had 2.0 IP for Sean, but he didn’t record a save.  This would eventually cost the team a tie.  The Possums threw more innings and, predictably, had more strikeouts.  They also won quality stats, thanks to two good efforts from Max Scherzer.  This 2-2-1 split was enough for Rick to earn a narrow victory.  However, the Lasershow would have beaten or tied several other teams in the league.  Rick moves back to 0.500 after a somewhat frustrating opening to the season.

CP Legion (4 – 1) vs.  KG Capital City Goofballs (2 – 2 – 1)

The week’s second best overall performer behind the PhoeGnomes were the Legion.  They were near the top of the league in every statistical category.  The Goofballs put up a solid effort but it just wasn’t enough.  The best Legion members were the pitchers – they posted great stats would have dominated the league most weeks if not for Heather’s great work.  Caleb Smith and Chris Paddack struck out 22 in just 14.1 IP.  Roberto Osuna captured three saves.  Only the injured Tyler Glasnow allowed more than two runs for the week, and he only allowed three over 5.2 IP.  Kevin threw more innings but his team couldn’t match the level of production from Chris’s squad.  Yu Darvish and Domingo Santana weren’t terrible but they failed to go deep into their games.  The Legion dominated all five categories.

The same pattern continued on offense.  Chris deployed a lot of players in part time and platoon situations and it payed off.  They had 14 total home runs, including four from Kris Bryant.  However, only one other player had two, with the rest just having one.  This kind of up-and-down the lineup production is sure to frustrate opponents.  This is the same tactic that Kevin usually deploys, but Chris executed it more successfully this week.  Adalberto Mondesi had three steals and a home run.  Nolan Arenado led the team with a 0.737 SLG.  This was more than enough to supplement the pitching and capture the week with a 10-0 rout.   Like the Lasershow, the Goofballs didn’t play poorly.  They caught a hot team that countered their best stats.

Next Week

The Legion and Lannister wins clear the standings somewhat.  Chris remains in first place, one game ahead of the Lannisters.  Kyle is still in third at just 1.5 games back.  Larry and Rick are tied for fourth, while the Goofballs, PhoeGnomes, and Lasershow are at the back of the pack.  The Goofballs have another tough match against the Lannisters.  The Thunderwolves can try to prove they deserve to be in the first division against the Legion.  The Lasershow and PhoeGnomes pair off, and at least one of the teams will make progress.  Finally, the Possums meet the Armadillos for the first time this year.  This will be Rick’s first chance to get some revenge for the shocking end to last season, where still-unsigned Craig Kimbrel secured the title in a non-save situation.