Week 12 Recap: The Stretch Run Begins
With the season officially reaching its halfway point, Week 12 carried extra significance across the standings. The Goofballs and Hares entered the week atop the division, the Armadillos and Kraken were fighting to solidify stretch run positioning, and several teams desperately needed wins to stay relevant. By week’s end, the standings tightened even further at the top while a few clubs saw their postseason hopes take another hit.
LK Armadillos (6-3-3) def. JK Hares (7-3-2), 10-0
The most lopsided result of the week belonged to the Armadillos, who completely dismantled the Hares in a matchup that looked far more competitive on paper than it did in reality. The victory moves Larry to 6-3-3 and within striking distance of the division leaders, while the Hares miss an opportunity to separate themselves at the top of the standings.
The Armadillos’ offense was relentless from top to bottom. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jac Caglianone led the charge with 4 home runs and 7 RBI apiece, while Gunnar Henderson added 2 home runs and 4 RBI. Nasim Nunez continued his strange quest to become the most productive slap hitter in fantasy history, going 10-for-14 with 5 runs scored, while Tyler Soderstrom chipped in another homer and 6 runs. By week’s end, the Armadillos had piled up 43 runs, 18 home runs, and a ridiculous .970 OPS.
The pitching staff more than held up its end of the bargain. Christopher Sanchez, Bryce Miller, Gerrit Cole, and Davis Martin all delivered quality outings, while Andres Munoz locked down 3 saves and earned redemption. The staff combined for a 3.35 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts, more than enough given the offensive explosion occurring on the other side of the ledger.
Meanwhile, the Hares delivered one of the strangest weeks of the season. Bryan Reynolds and Sal Stewart carried much of the offense, but the story of the matchup was the emergency pitching situation created by rainouts and postponements. That led to starts from both Emmet Sheehan and Stephen Kolek, two men currently so unemployed they may have needed to show ID to get into the stadium. Kolek somehow allowed 9 earned runs while recording just 4 outs, good for a tidy 48.60 ERA. Not to be outdone, Sheehan surrendered 6 earned runs in 3.1 innings with a 16.20 ERA. Together they combined for 13 earned runs in 4.2 innings and personally transformed what could have been a competitive matchup into a crime scene. Somewhere, Dylan Cease and Zack Wheeler are probably filing formal complaints. There are rumors the Hares set up a support group in the clubhouse after blasting these two human wildfires into the sun where they belong.
The loss drops the Hares to 7-3-2, keeping them tied atop the division but squandering a golden opportunity to create separation. The Armadillos, meanwhile, continue to look like one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
KG Capital City Goofballs (7-3-2) def. KK Wolf Spiders (5-4-3), 8-2
While the Hares stumbled, the Goofballs took full advantage. A dominant 8-2 victory over the Wolf Spiders keeps Kevin tied for first place and further strengthens the argument that they may be the most complete roster in the league.
The offense was led by the usual suspects. Kyle Schwarber launched 5 home runs and drove in 10 runs, Nick Kurtz added 3 homers and 9 RBI, while Zack Gelof, CJ Abrams, Ivan Herrera, and Corbin Carroll all contributed major production. The Goofballs finished with 48 runs, 19 home runs, 55 RBI, and a .975 OPS. At this point, opposing pitchers should probably just start issuing intentional walks to half the lineup.
The pitching staff was equally impressive. MacKenzie Gore struck out 16 batters across 13 innings, Bryan Woo tossed 7 scoreless innings with 9 strikeouts, Joe Ryan posted a 0.00 ERA, and the bullpen contributed quality innings throughout the week. The result was a sparkling 2.34 ERA and 1.07 WHIP despite throwing just 34.2 innings.
The Wolf Spiders never really found their footing. Casey Schmitt and Bo Bichette provided most of the offensive production, but the lineup managed only 23 runs and 6 home runs. Worse, the pitching staff couldn’t keep pace. Jacob deGrom surrendered 6 earned runs in 6 innings, Gavin Williams posted a 12.60 ERA, and Aroldis Chapman somehow managed a 9.00 ERA despite only pitching a single inning. When your supposed ace gets hit hard and your offense disappears, bad things tend to happen.
The win keeps the Goofballs tied for first place at 7-3-2 and reinforces their status as a legitimate championship threat. The Wolf Spiders remain in contention at 5-4-3, but they’ll need considerably more consistency if they hope to keep pace with the division’s elite.
CP Kraken (6-5-1) def. CM Dirt Mountain Anchors (3-7-2), 8-2
The Kraken continued their steady climb up the standings with an impressive 8-2 victory over the Anchors. While Chris hasn’t generated as many headlines as some of the teams above them, they’ve quietly built one of the deepest and most balanced rosters in the league.
Zach Neto was the star of the week, launching 4 home runs and driving in 7 runs. Juan Soto added 2 home runs and 4 RBI, Junior Caminero continued his breakout season, and Yordan Alvarez chipped in another strong performance. The Kraken finished with 34 runs, 10 home runs, and an .820 OPS, consistently applying pressure throughout the matchup.
The pitching staff was the real difference-maker. Kyle Bradish was outstanding, posting a 1.17 ERA with 12 strikeouts. Trey Yesavage, Kyle Harrison, Braxton Ashcraft, Josh Hader, and Reid Detmers all turned in quality performances as the Kraken combined for a 2.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts. Week after week, this staff continues to outperform expectations.
The Anchors received strong efforts from Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani, who combined for 4 home runs and 7 RBI, but the supporting cast largely disappeared. Kevin Gausman’s seven-earned-run disaster put the team behind early, while JR Ritchie and Shohei Ohtani were unable to fully stabilize the rotation. By week’s end, the Anchors had posted a 4.69 ERA and failed to generate enough offense to compensate.
The Kraken improve to 6-5-1 and remain firmly in the playoff picture. The Anchors fall to 3-7-2 and are beginning to run out of opportunities to climb back into contention.
RK Possums (5-6-1) tie HP PhoeGnomes (1-9-2), 5-5
The strangest matchup of the week ended exactly where it deserved to: with nobody winning.
The Possums brought plenty of offense to the party. Dillon Dingler continued his breakout campaign, Ben Rice blasted 3 home runs, Byron Buxton added 2 more, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. contributed across the board. The Possums finished with 36 runs and 11 home runs, numbers that typically result in a comfortable victory.
Unfortunately for them, their pitching staff had other ideas. Chase Burns was brilliant with 14 strikeouts and a 0.90 ERA, while Jesus Luzardo and Parker Messick also delivered quality outings. Unfortunately, Bryce Elder surrendered 8 earned runs, Emerson Hancock allowed 5, and Dustin May somehow managed a 27.00 ERA in just 2 innings. The Possums spent much of the week alternating between dominant and catastrophic, often within the same inning.
The PhoeGnomes countered with one of their best performances of the season. Kyle Stowers launched 3 home runs, Ozzie Albies and Jose Altuve added 2 each, and Kevin McGonigle continued his impressive rookie season. More importantly, the pitching staff was exceptional. Cam Schlittler struck out 13 batters in 6 scoreless innings, Drew Rasmussen allowed just 1 earned run across 7 innings, Chris Sale turned in another vintage performance, and Paul Skenes remained one of the most reliable arms in the league.
In many ways, the tie perfectly summarized both teams. The Possums showcased enough talent to beat almost anyone but sabotaged themselves with several disastrous pitching performances. The PhoeGnomes finally received the complete team effort they’ve been waiting for all season but remain buried by months of earlier struggles. Neither team gained much ground in the standings, but both left Week 12 wondering what might have been.
Next Week
As the season reaches its midpoint, the race at the top remains incredibly tight. The Goofballs and Hares continue to share first place at 7-3-2, with the Armadillos lurking just behind at 6-3-3 and the Kraken holding the final playoff spot at 6-5-1. With half the season still to play, every category is becoming more important, and every missed opportunity a little more painful.
The Armadillos look to keep rolling versus the Anchors. The Goofballs draw the PhoeGnomes, and although they are at the bottom of the standings, Heather’s team is finally showing signs of progress. The Kraken and Wolf Spiders meet in an intriguing matchup. Finally, the Hares will look to get things back on track against the struggling Possums.
Dirt Mountain Baseball League 