After a chaotic week, the Armadillos now sit at the top of the league! However, other teams are keeping pace while early favorites look for answers. The Hares and Possums took care of business. The PhoeGnomes also picked up a much needed win.

LK Armadillos (4-1) vs. KG Capital City Goofballs (2-3)

Two of the league’s most bitter rivals met in an important match-up. The Armadillos have persisted through injuries and pitching woes to move into first place. The Goofballs needed a win to get above 0.500 and begin to make a push. This resulted in a close match that could have gone either way.

The Armadillos were led by their pitching. After some rough weeks, the staff finally put together a complete week and posted respectable numbers across the board. Drew Rasmussen and Eduardo Rodrigez led the way with 15 strikeouts and no earned runs in their two starts over 14.0 innings. Unfortunately Rasmussen was lost for at least 60 days with an injury after the start. Emmanual Clase contributed two saves, as well. The goofballs were able to match the saves total, but were not competitive in the other categories. Hayden Wesneski and Jordan Montgomery had nightmare outings, allowing 13 earned runs over just 10.0 IP.

On offense, the teams deployed an incredible 37 different players. Both squads cycled hitters in and out in search of a winning advantage. The Goofballs had an edge in RBI thanks to Taylor Walls and Freddie Freeman. Unfrotunately for Kevin, Larry was able to gain just a bit more value from his squad as Pete Alonso had a nice 2 home run week, and a herd of players contributed a steal.

Overall, the Goofballs could have had a chance with better pitching. Given the way the match unfolded, Larry had a solid victory after a good showing on Sunday. His team is now at the top of the league, and Kevin is a game below 0.500 and still looking for a winning formula.

CP Legion (1-4) vs. JK Hares (3-2)

Two of the league’s most surprising teams to start the year are the Legion and Hares, but for different reasons. The Hares were not expected to compete this season after bad luck in the draft lottery and a horde of injuries to key players. The Legion were expected to improve after a rebuilding year. Sadly for Legion fans, the team has struggled at the start of the year. Meanwhile the Hares have shown surprising resillience.

The trend continued this week, with the Hares putting together a fine showing on both offense and pitching. The Legion weren’t able to counter, and Jeff cruised to smooth win on Sunday. The Hares easily had the league’s best pitching, and could have piled up more counting stats if they needed to use more starters on the weekend. Leading the way yet again was Spencer Strider, who continues to put up almost unthinkable strikeout numbers. This week he struck out 12 in just 6.2 IP and allowed 1 earned run. Ryan Pressly rebounded from a bad start to contribute to saves. Corbin Burnes, George Kirby, and Shane Bieber combined to not allow a single earned run in their starts. This spelled disaster for the Legion’s troubled pitching unit, and the Hares won every category but IP while using just six starts.

On offense the Hares continued to post adequate numbers. Wander Franco continued his MVP push with 4 steals. Steady Will Smith added 2 home runs. Yordan Alvarez and Juan Soto had solid weeks for the Legion and contributed over 1.000 OPS, but it wasn’t enough to come close to overcoming the pitching shortcomings. Jeff enjoyed a stress-free weekend in route to a win. This puts the Hares in a tie for second place. The Legion are now sitting on just one win, in sole possession of last place.

HP PhoeGnomes (2-3) vs. KK Wolf Spiders (3-2)

The PhoeGnomes and Wolf Spiders were both favorites to win it all this year. However, both teams have been up-and-down to start the year. After hot starts both have cooled to the 0.500 level and the middle of the league. However, both teams have dealt with a heavy dose of bad luck. The Wolf Spiders, in particular, were on the receiving end of bad karma in their shocking Sunday loss to the Hares.

This week fortune favored the little people, and the PhoeGnomes held on for a close victory. Heather’s base was built on the foundation of solid pitching. Kevin Gausman, Clayton Kershaw, Framber Valdez, and Jesus Luzardo all had nice starts for Heather. Lucas Giolito struggled with runs, but also contributed 15 strikeouts. Kyle got a nice start from Justin Verlander, and two from Zac Gallen. However, Sandy Alcantara struggled mightily and the team could only muster one save. Heather swept all five categories, but there was still work to be done on offense.

Kyle countered with a mosnter week from Josh Lowe. He contributed 3 home runs, 9 RBI, and 4 runs. Ronald Acuna Jr had 2 more home runs and 2 steals. He continues to be the best player in fantasy with a season OPS over 1.000, 17 steals, and 8 home runs. This helped the Wolf Spiders to lead runs, home runs, and OPS. However, Heather only needed to win one category to secure the win. She was able to take both RBI and steals. Bobby Witt Jr. contributed 4 steals and ahd a home run. Aaron Judge had a pair of home runs, 7 RBI, and 6 runs. Nolan Arenado showed life for the first time this season with a big 2 home run weekend in just 9 at-bats.

This was enough for the PhoeGnomes to take the week and improve to 0.500. Kyle also fell back to 0.500 and is left searching for answers. Both teams have plenty of time to move back up the league ladder.

RK Possums (3-2) vs. CM Skyline Sluggers (2-3)

Last but not least, the Possums and Skyline Sluggers had a battle that was closer than the final score indicated. The Possums had the best pitching in the league thanks to a near no-hitter from Jon Gray. Mitch Keller showed up to work with a monstrous 21 strikeouts in two 8 IP starts with 0 earned runs. Will Smith and Felix Bautista each had 3 saves. This incredible work overshadowed a great week from the Skyline Sluggers. Charlie’s team would have dominated any other pithing staff except the Hares. They relied on Nathan Eovaldi and Chris Sale, and servicable outings from their other starters. The Sluggers won IP, but couldn’t top Rick elsewhere despite putting up a great fight.

Both teams put up okay offensive numbers. The Possums led the league in home runs thanks to a fantasitc 4 home run, 7 RBI, 8 run week from Luis Robert Jr. Jazz Chisholm Jr. added 3 steals and 2 home runs of his own. However, the rest of the team struggled, and failed to produce and OPS over 0.700. Charlie took advantage and won steals and OPS. Marcus Semien was the leader with 3 setals, 2 home runs, 6 RBI, and 7 runs. This wasn’t enough to turn the week, but the Sluggers were competitive to the end. Rick now moves into a tie for second place while the Sluggers fall to two games below 0.500.

Player of the Week

This week’s best player has to be Luis Robert Jr. His effort gave Rick the offensive stats he needed to win the three counting categories on offense. The pitcher for the week is also a Possum – Mitch Keller. It’s hard to have a better week on the mound that Keller did, much to the Skyline Sluggers chagrin.

Next Week

Next weeks concludes the first cycle of games for the league! There is an intriguing match between the Skyline Sluggers and the Armadillos. Charlie’s team has proven to be dangerous, and they want to end the Armadillos’ winning streak. The Possums and Hares battle for sole possession of second place, and maybe a tie for first. The PhoeGnomes will try to keep their rebound going against the Legion. Finally, the Wolf Spiders and Goofballs meet in a match where both teams want to end losing streaks.