Week 3, 2019 Newsletter

Pioneer Press

2019 Season, Week 3

By: Cody Marshall

One Unbeaten Team, Two Races Heating Up, Three Weeks Down

Week 3 saw some interesting matchups to say the least. We saw a few come down to the last day, a couple that were competitive for a few days, and one that was over soon after it began. Teams that were hot suddenly walked into a freezer and those that were cold melted in the spring heat for an early second life.

The trading block appeared quiet for this week, but will it soon start up again? Identities are showing up and are the managers satisfied with who they are? One thing that there’s no question about is how exciting this season continues to be.

What’s That Odor? 328.25 (2-1) vs. Duffman LOWE YEAH!! 201.75

After a brutal Week 1, Johnny’s squad has bounced back with two consecutive wins. This one definitely landed on the convincing side as both hitters and pitchers turned in big weeks. Justin Smoak (38) led the way for the former Cactus Impalas with 3 round-trippers and 10 RBIs. J.T. Realmuto (31.25) broke double digits in RBIs as well with 11 despite striking out 6 times. On the hill, five different players finished the week with 20 points or more. Walker Buehler (28) led the charge, complemented nicely by the efforts of Marcus Stroman (25), Caleb Smith (24), Nathan Eovaldi (20), and Jake Arrieta (20).

On the flip side, Casey’s team struggled in both facets of the game. Only one hitter finished the week with more than 20 points. Yandy “Is Dandy” Diaz (21) slugged two homers, drove in 4 runs, and walked 5 times. Dereck “Don’t Forget the C Before I K You” Rodriguez (34) finished the week strong to lead the one-time Paper Seagulls on the bump. He was joined by Masahiro Tanaka (24) who chipped in 7 strikeouts to the pair’s combined 17 Ks.

Team Filler 212.75 (0-3) vs. NYC Midtown Uniforms 392 (2-1)

This matchup seemed respectable until the last day when Brendan’s hitters started making all the ballparks look small. Seven of Brendan’s hitters turned in solid weeks, which was in stark contrast to his pitchers (2). George Springer (31) homered three times and drove in six to pace a red-hot Astros team. Clint Frazier (29) has found a home in the Yankee lineup that has been decimated by injuries and is making the most of it. Big Red went deep three times and drove in 7. Sometimes it feels like there are Angels on your team and this week there really were. Andrelton Simmons (26), Tommy La Stella “Artois” (24.5), and Mike Trout (21.25) had weeks to remember as they combined for eight doubles, four homers, 12 RBIs, and 8 walks (7 to Trout alone). Nelson Cruz (25.5) proved he still has it, launching two homers, while Billy Hamilton (22.5) stole six bases to lead the way on the base paths. Reliever Kenley Jansen (38) paced the hurlers with three saves and eight strikeouts. Jordan Lyles (24) turned in a solid performance before a comebacker had him listed as day-to-day.

Tony’s group continues to search for that elusive first win of the season. His pitcher-loaded squad made the postseason a year ago and still has plenty to time to make it back, but efforts like this will leave more doubts than hopes. If Brendan’s team was Jekyll, Tony’s team was Hyde. At the plate, only Fernando Tatis Jr. (22) remained solid this week. The pitching staff had more ups than downs, but the downs were detrimental. Reynaldo Lopez (29), Frankie Montas (23), and Zack Greinke (22) tossed gems for Tony’s team only to have them be undone by the dismal efforts of David Hess (-19) and Marco Estrada (-16).

Long Beach Insulin Cats 197.5 (2-1) vs. Daddy WarBuxton 359.5 (2-1)

In the middle of the week, a poll was issued asking if Logan’s team would even make it to 100 points. That’s never a sign you want to see in this league. The slow start did them in and Eric’s team ran away with their second win of the season. No hitters on the Insulin Cats roster broke 20 points this week. The closest was this season’s most surprising player, Trey Mancini, who finished with 19.25 despite not hitting a single homer. The woes continued on the mound where Joey Lucchesi (22) threw the pearl well. Ken Giles (25) led the staff with his efforts out of the bullpen as he picked up three saves.

Eric had two triumvirates lead him to victory this week. The offensive side of things saw Michael Conforto (25.5) homer three times and walk 5 times. He was joined by Jonathan Schoop (21) and Daniel Vogelbach (20.5) who have steadily led their clubs, Minnesota and Seattle respectively, to +.500 seasons thus far. On the hill it just wasn’t fair. Patrick Corbin (32) and Kyle Hendricks (32) matched each other with +30 performances and combined for 20 Ks. Martin Perez (22) rounded out the pitching staff with his performances for the Minnesota Twins.

Wichita Soda Mammoths 399.50 (1-2) vs. Joliet Pen Manatees 374 (2-1)

This week’s most intriguing matchup may be one of the PLFB record book. Last year’s bottom feeder took on last year’s champion in a matchup that looked as though both teams would break the 400 mark. Seventeen (17) players recorded weeks of 20 points or more while six (6) broke 30 points. The Soda Mammoths hitters have been solid all season and nothing changed this week. Christian Yelich (61.5) had a mammoth week (pun intended) with 8 home runs and 16 RBIs. Cody Bellinger (26.25) continued his strong 2019 season as well with 2 homers and 6 RBIs. Eddie Rosario (38) may have been an unsung hero as he mashed Orioles pitchers this week. Looking at the pitching staff, it’s a weird mix. Not dominant, but a group of roughneckers who could maybe string something together. Cole Hamels (31), Max Fried (25), Kyle Gibson (25), Homer Bailey (23), Kenta Maeda (21), and Michael Wacha (20) did just enough for the Soda Mammoths to pick up their first win.

Meanwhile, the Pen Manatees got a taste of what the Soda Mammoths have endured to this point in 2019. 11 other teams would have fell victim to Jason’s stellar week, but the schedule had something else in mind. Offensively, the Pen Manatees were led by Brett Gardner (30) who went deep twice and drove in six. Maikel Franco (22.5) mimicked those numbers for the Phillies, while real life teammate Cesar Hernandez (20) had one home run, 3 RBIs, and four walks. The chuckers on Jason’s staff dazzled as well. Most impressively was Stephen Strasburg (43) who struck out 19 batters over the course of 14 innings while surrendering only eight hits. Mike Minor (37) tossed a rare (nowadays) complete game, striking out 7. Jose Quintana (27) and Miles Mikolas (23) combined for 11 strikeouts over 15 innings while they allowed 10 hits and just two earned runs. Brad Hand (20) was great out of the Indians’ pen with two saves.

Tempe Weed Piranhas 311.25 (1-2) vs. I GOT WOOD 280.25 (0-3)

Trent’s squad got one in the win column with a strong week over Mike Andronovich’s team. The Weed Piranhas left no doubt on the week of 4/20 that they were here to compete…and eat (maybe). Joc Pederson (31) led the way for Tempe with four home runs and six RBIs. Hunter Dozier (26.75) continued to impress Royals fans with his three-homer, four-RBI stat line. Javy Baez (28) slugged two homers, drove in five, and scored 8 times for the Cubs. Meanwhile, NL Central rival Paul DeJong (26) had a home run, three RBIs, and two doubles to break the quarter-century mark. James Paxton (64) had two stellar starts for the Yankees, one of which the bullpen tarnished late in the game. Paxton struck out 24 in 14 scoreless innings of work. Kyle Freeland (28) got back to his usual ways with 7 Ks in 6 innings of work for Colorado. Justin Verlander (26) rounded out the trio of pitchers who sealed the deal as he struck out 8 in 7 innings, allowing just one run.

For Mike, it’s been a rough go in 2019. Trevor Story (23) was the only hitter who broke the 20 point plateau. The Rockies shortstop homered once, drove in 4, and stole 4 bases. J.D. Martinez (19.25) and Paul Goldschmidt (19) both fell just shy of 20, but were instrumental for I GOT WOOD in trying to pull this one out. On the mound, Julio Urias (29) was the only really bright side for the 2017 champion’s squad.

Rhys’ Pieces 249.5 (0-3) vs. 1948 Revisited 299.25 (2-1)

Within the first two weeks, Ryan made it known that he was not thrilled with his team’s performance. This may have been unfamiliar territory considering his squad finished with the best regular season record a year ago. However, after the third week of play his team finds themselves right in the thick of all of it. The railroad was busy this week as Shin-Soo Choo (30) led an industrial charge of three doubles, a triple, one homer, and 3 RBIs. The AL Central duo of Jose Ramirez (21.5) and Jorge Polanco (21) also pitched in, combining for two home runs, 4 RBIs, and 11 walks. On the hill, scrappers (not the ones from Mahoning Valley) got the job done. Tyler Glasnow (29) continued his campaign for the best young pitcher in the AL East, while Carlos Carrasco (33) made everyone miss, striking out 12 over the course of seven innings. Luke Weaver (24) pitched just well enough to negate the outing had by Alex Cobb (-23) that certainly made this one closer than anticipated.

For Ecc, the tough row to hoe continues. The team has dropped all three matchups so far and must find a way to turn things around. Alex Bregman (31) has shown he’s in for the long haul. The Astro went deep three times and drove in six. He also walked four times. Charlie Blackmon (27.5) was his usual Chuck Nazty self, slugging two home runs and driving in six for a Rockies team that has struggled offensively of late. The pitching is where it all came undone. Despite a fantastic week from Jon Gray (46) and Yu Darvish (21), Steven Matz (-22) failed to even record an out while giving up six runs.

JudgeJuryExecutioner 259 (2-1) vs. Anders’s Team 320.25 (3-0)

Who invited the new guy? Well, that doesn’t matter because he has come to play. Three weeks in and Ders Velischek has a game lead on the rest of the Contenders Division. Even more impressive is how he’s already picked up wins over the top two scoring teams in the division. Offensively, Marcell Ozuna (33.5) scorched the baseball homering three times and plating six. Asdrubal Cabrera (24.5) added two dingers of his own and 7 RBIs for a Rangers squad that is hanging around early on. Kole Calhoun (22) surpassed his Angel ally in Mike Trout with a solid performance of his own. On the bump, Trevor Bauer (43) continued to prove that his remarks about Kluber getting nods over him were appropriate. The Tribe’s “number two” has been remarkable thus far. Matt Strahm (25) continued to pitch well for the Padres and still could not find his first win of the season. Ryan Brasier (26) has been a welcome addition on the relief side as he picked up three saves, striking out five.

Aaron Snyder’s crew had their worst week to date after an incredible first two weeks. The heavy use of relief pitching has paid off thus far after Aaron completed a questionable (by some) trade early in the year. Joey Gallo (40) was a force to be reckoned with, mashing four home runs and driving in 11 runs. Tim Anderson (24.5) chipped in a homer of his own and four stolen bases, while his White Sox teammate Carlos Rodon (21) had a strong week on the bump. Luis Castillo (34) continued to be dominant in his youth with 16 strikeouts over 11 innings of work. Kevin Gausman (23) continued his strong 2019 season with ten strikeouts in a no-decision.

Top Five Hitters in Week 3

1. Christian Yelich (Cody) – 61.5

2. Joey Gallo (Aaron) - 40

T3. Eddie Rosario (Cody) - 38

T3. Justin Smoak (Johnny) - 38

5. Marcell Ozuna (Anders) – 33.5

Top Five Pitchers in Week 3

1. James Paxton (Trent) – 64

2. Jon Gray (Ecc) - 46

T3. Trevor Bauer (Anders) - 43

T4. Stephen Strasburg (Jason) – 43

5. Kenley Jansen (Brendan) - 38

The Road Ahead…

#5 Joliet Pen Manatees (2-1) vs. #1 Anders’s Team (3-0)

#14 Team Filler (0-3) vs. #12 Rhys’ Pieces (0-3)

#10 Wichita Soda Mammoths (1-2) vs. #9 What’s That Odor? (2-1)

#6 Duffman LOWE YEAH! (2-1) vs. #11 Tempe Weed Piranhas (1-2)

#7 Long Beach Insulin Cats (2-1) vs. #13 I GOT WOOD (0-3)

#2 Daddy WarBuxton (2-1) vs. #3 JudgeJuryExecutioner (2-1)

#8 1948 Revisited (2-1) vs. #4 NYC Midtown Uniforms (2-1)