Newsletter for games through 8-23-20

TRADE DEADLINE

You can enter your trades right up through next week’s lineups deadline, which is September 1.

TIPS

There are “team settings” that have always been there, but I’ve moved into the central lineup/roster box to make them more obvious.  An important one is the bullpen setting — if you pick “least used” the computer will define the situation (example: Setup) and then order the pitchers from least to most used, and pick the first one it finds.  This is probably the setting you want if the main goal is to keep the bullpen fresh.

NOTES

Thanks to all for their feedback; the main issues seemed to be some statistical outliers (high scoring games, large strikeout totals).  By way of apology, I was traveling over the weekend for a family memorial (we lost the family member last March, and this was the first time we’d been able to get together to do a remembrance), so I was able to address some of the stuff but not all of it.  I’ve got a longer list that I will plow through over the weekend.  Mostly, it seems like there’s still a struggle to figure out how to deal with low-appearing, high-performing players (State’s Exhibit One: Humberto Meija of the Marlins, who in his first appearance recorded 7 outs and 6 by strikeout).  Thanks again for your patience, and having said all that there were still more 20-run games than should be there, so the caps seemed to tamp things down but not solve them altogether.  That I will be fixing that over the weekend.

COMMENTARY

Rick Wynne ran a perfect 7-0 week, but is still -2 WOR, which is both a statement about how good he is and how good the Dodgers are…the Dodgers have the best real team ERA, second-best real starter ERA, and best bullpen ERA…that real team ERA is 1.99…The Chisox and Padres have the best real team OPS…and it’s clear Andy’s Nationals and Ralphael’s Reds are both killing it; +6.5 and +9.5 respectively, and boht in first place…Michael’s Pittsburgh is a very strong +4 WOR on the back of a 5-1 week…that gives Michael the top WOR figure for the newcomers, although Gary still has the Giants riding the best record amongst that bunch…In the AL East the Toronto (Buffalo) Jays had a 5-1 week, and while they are still in 4th placed, moved to within 3 games of first…in a short season one big week can get you into the playoffs, it seems…don’t look now but Tim Walsh has the Twins in first place in the central and also with the best record in the AL…and Leo’s Chisox matched him game for game last week…those 2 clubs are a combined 18-4 in interleague play…the AL west remains wild, and Jim’s Astros are hanging on to first although John’s A’s are one adjusting week away from taking over…the Rockies are 6-7 in their division but 10-5 against the AL…Boston fielders have turned in 19 hit-saving-plays, tops in the ASFBL…best net goes to Oakland glovemen, who have saved 16 more hits than they have bungled…

SPECIAL FEATS!

…with a small grain of salt, since there are still some things going on with the adjustments and whatnot, but there are worth stopping and taking note of:

Justin Dunn (Seattle) threw a no-hitter! (on 8/21/2020 against Texas)

Bryce Harper (Philadelphia) hit for the cycle! (on 8/19/2020 against Boston)

Shane Bieber (Cleveland) struck out 22 batters (on 8/23/2020 against Detroit

FEATS AND FAILURES

Nathan Eovaldi (Boston) struck out 11 batters (on 8/17/2020 against New York (NYY)) 
Chance Sisco (Baltimore) struck out 4 times (on 8/17/2020 against Toronto) 
Hanser Alberto (Baltimore) struck out 4 times (on 8/17/2020 against Toronto) 
Tom Hatch (Toronto) struck out 14 batters (on 8/17/2020 against Baltimore) 
Eric Thames (Washington) struck out 4 times (on 8/17/2020 against Atlanta) 
Gerrit Cole (Washington) struck out 17 batters (on 8/17/2020 against Atlanta) 
Dylan Cease (Chicago (CWS)) struck out 14 batters (on 8/17/2020 against Detroit) 
Casey Mize (Detroit) struck out 13 batters (on 8/17/2020 against Chicago (CWS)) 
Mike Minor (Texas) struck out 13 batters (on 8/17/2020 against San Diego) 
Matt Chapman (Oakland) struck out 4 times (on 8/17/2020 against Arizona) 
Fernando Tatis Jr. (San Diego) struck out 4 times (on 8/18/2020 against Texas) 
Bryan Reynolds (Pittsburgh) struck out 4 times (on 8/18/2020 against Cleveland) 
Shane Bieber (Cleveland) struck out 13 batters (on 8/18/2020 against Pittsburgh) 
Renato Nunez (Baltimore) hit 6 RBI (on 8/18/2020 against Toronto) 
Hanser Alberto (Baltimore) hit 6 RBI (on 8/18/2020 against Toronto) 
Hanser Alberto (Baltimore)  had 5 hits (on 8/18/2020 against Toronto) 
Gleyber Torres (Washington)  had 5 hits (on 8/18/2020 against Atlanta) 
Josh Harrison (Washington) hit 6 RBI (on 8/18/2020 against Atlanta) 
Lucas Giolito (Chicago (CWS)) struck out 15 batters (on 8/18/2020 against Detroit) 
Keston Hiura (Milwaukee) struck out 4 times (on 8/18/2020 against Minnesota) 
Paul Goldschmidt (St. Louis) struck out 4 times (on 8/18/2020 against Chicago (CC)) 
Brian Anderson (Miami) struck out 4 times (on 8/19/2020 against New York (NYM)) 
J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia) struck out 4 times (on 8/19/2020 against Boston) 
Bryce Harper (Philadelphia) hit 6 RBI (on 8/19/2020 against Boston) 
Bryce Harper (Philadelphia)  had 5 hits (on 8/19/2020 against Boston) 
Nicky Lopez (Kansas City) hit 6 RBI (on 8/19/2020 against Cincinnati) 
Nicky Lopez (Kansas City)  had 5 hits (on 8/19/2020 against Cincinnati) 
Nicholas Castellanos (Cincinnati) struck out 5 times (on 8/19/2020 against Kansas City) 
Jose Berrios (Minnesota) struck out 13 batters (on 8/19/2020 against Milwaukee) 
Joey Gallo (Texas) struck out 4 times (on 8/19/2020 against San Diego) 
Dinelson Lamet (San Diego) struck out 14 batters (on 8/19/2020 against Texas) 
Lance Lynn (Texas) struck out 16 batters (on 8/19/2020 against San Diego) 
Matt Olson (Oakland) struck out 4 times (on 8/19/2020 against Arizona) 
Tim Locastro (Arizona) struck out 4 times (on 8/19/2020 against Oakland) 
Jesus Luzardo (Oakland) struck out 16 batters (on 8/19/2020 against Arizona) 
Kyle Lewis (Seattle) struck out 4 times (on 8/20/2020 against Los Angeles) 
Jake Cave (Minnesota) struck out 4 times (on 8/20/2020 against Milwaukee) 
Tejay Antone (Cincinnati) struck out 16 batters (on 8/20/2020 against St. Louis) 
Sean Murphy (Oakland) struck out 4 times (on 8/20/2020 against Arizona) 
Zac Gallen (Arizona) struck out 14 batters (on 8/20/2020 against Oakland) 
Tommy LaStella (Anaheim) struck out 4 times (on 8/20/2020 against San Francisco) 
Rowdy Tellez (Toronto) hit 7 RBI (on 8/21/2020 against Tampa Bay) 
Willy Adames (Tampa Bay) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against Toronto) 
Mitch Moreland (Boston) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against Baltimore) 
Pat Valaika (Baltimore) hit 7 RBI (on 8/21/2020 against Boston) 
Bryan Reynolds (Pittsburgh)  had 5 hits (on 8/21/2020 against Milwaukee) 
Niko Goodrum (Detroit) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against Cleveland) 
Victor Robles (New York (NYY)) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against New York (NYM)) 
Michael Conforto (New York (NYM)) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against New York (NYY)) 
Pete Alonso (New York (NYM)) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against New York (NYY)) 
J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against Atlanta) 
Jake Cave (Minnesota) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against Kansas City) 
Adbert Alzolay (Chicago (CC)) struck out 14 batters (on 8/21/2020 against Chicago (CWS)) 
Tyler O'Neill (St. Louis) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against Cincinnati) 
Trevor Bauer (Cincinnati) struck out 15 batters (on 8/21/2020 against St. Louis) 
Austin Barnes (Los Angeles) struck out 4 times (on 8/21/2020 against Colorado) 
Matt Chapman (Oakland) struck out 4 times (on 8/22/2020 against Anaheim) 
Daniel Mengden (Oakland) struck out 12 batters (on 8/22/2020 against Anaheim) 
Hyun Jin Ryu (Toronto) struck out 10 batters (on 8/22/2020 against Tampa Bay) 
Kevin Pillar (Boston) hit 6 RBI (on 8/22/2020 against Baltimore) 
Nathan Eovaldi (Boston) struck out 10 batters (on 8/22/2020 against Baltimore) 
Jake Cave (Minnesota) struck out 4 times (on 8/22/2020 against Kansas City) 
Alex Avila (Minnesota) struck out 4 times (on 8/22/2020 against Kansas City) 
Casey Mize (Detroit) struck out 13 batters (on 8/22/2020 against Cleveland) 
Manny Machado (San Diego) hit 9 RBI (on 8/22/2020 against Houston) 
Manny Machado (San Diego)  had 5 hits (on 8/22/2020 against Houston) 
Gary Sanchez (New York (NYY)) struck out 4 times (on 8/23/2020 against New York (NYM)) 
Bryan Reynolds (Pittsburgh) hit 6 RBI (on 8/23/2020 against Milwaukee) 
Yu Darvish (Chicago (CC)) struck out 17 batters (on 8/23/2020 against Chicago (CWS)) 
Lucas Giolito (Chicago (CWS)) struck out 17 batters (on 8/23/2020 against Chicago (CC)) 
Mike Yastrzemski (San Francisco) struck out 4 times (on 8/23/2020 against Arizona) 
Myles Straw (Houston) struck out 4 times (on 8/23/2020 against San Diego) 
Evan White (Seattle) struck out 5 times (on 8/23/2020 against Texas) 
Shin-Soo Choo (Texas) struck out 4 times (on 8/23/2020 against Seattle) 
Ender Inciarte (Atlanta) struck out 4 times (on 8/23/2020 against Philadelphia) 
Matt Kemp (Colorado) struck out 4 times (on 8/23/2020 against Los Angeles) 

 

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Newsletter for games through 8-16

QUICK BLAST TO THE PAST

Baseball during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic — note the absence of dual-DH rules, 7-inning double-headers, or runners starting on 2d during extra innings…

DON’T PANIC: On Aug 16, San Diego and Arizona played 44 innings. Obvi, that can’t stand. I’ll get that sorted out and the stats reset for that game, so all those AB and IP won’t count against the players.

BIG EVENTS! Not sure if its the short season, the new code, a lot of karma, or what, but some big events seemed to pop up this week. I’ll dive through the box scores over the weekend and see what might be up. But for now, we can celebrate:

• Lance Lynn (Texas) threw a no-hitter! (on 8/14/2020 against Colorado
• Bryce Harper (Philadelphia) hit for the cycle! (on 8/16/2020 against New York (NYM))
• Niko Goodrum (Detroit) hit for the cycle! (on 8/12/2020 against Chicago (CWS))
• Charlie Blackmon (Colorado) hit for the cycle! (on 8/12/2020 against Arizona)
• Willy Adames (Tampa Bay) hit for the cycle! (on 8/12/2020 against Boston)

COMMENTARY: The Reds went 6-0 which was totally awesome…they seem pretty healthy to me…and rode that week to the best record in the ASFBL…newcomer Gary Ruud had his Giants going 4-2 this week…and making that more impressive, did so while his kitchen was getting remodeled…he’s 2 games ahead of the actual club…4-2 was also the best record in the NL after the Cincinnati perfect showing…Tampa Bay really turned it around with a 6-1 run in the AL East…Chisox were 5-1 in the central…Hugh Brown’s Rockies and Rich Wynne’s Dodgers are slugging it out in the NL West…combined 27-17…Boston is a perfect 5-0 in 1-run games…Washington is 7-2…Charlie Blackmon is hitting .446 in the ASFBL, which would seem unreasonable except that he’s also hitting .446 for the actual Rockies…looks like there were 6 new trades this week, with Philadelphia leading the way…

FEATS AND FAILURES:

Christian Yelich (Milwaukee) struck out 4 times (on 8/10/2020 against Minnesota)
David Peralta (Arizona) had 5hits (on 8/10/2020 against Colorado)
Jake Lamb (Arizona) struck out 4 times (on 8/10/2020 against Colorado)
Christian Walker (Arizona) hit 6 RBI (on 8/10/2020 against Colorado)
Christian Walker (Arizona) had 5 hits (on 8/10/2020 against Colorado)
Kyle Lewis (Seattle) struck out 4 times (on 8/10/2020 against Texas)
Jeff Mathis (Texas) struck out 4 times (on 8/10/2020 against Seattle)
J.P. Crawford (Seattle) struck out 6 times (on 8/10/2020 against Texas)
Joey Gallo (Texas) struck out 5 times (on 8/10/2020 against Seattle)
Yusei Kikuchi (Seattle) struck out 19 batters (on 8/10/2020 against Texas)
Kyle Gibson (Texas) struck out 18 batters (on 8/10/2020 against Seattle)
Seattle and Texas played18.5 innings on8/10/2020
Sean Manaea (Oakland) struck out 12 batters (on 8/10/2020 against Anaheim)
Andrew Heaney (Anaheim) struck out 12 batters (on 8/10/2020 against Oakland)
Hyun Jin Ryu (Toronto) struck out 18 batters (on 8/11/2020 against Miami)
Logan Forsythe (Miami) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Toronto)
Pablo Lopez (Miami) struck out 11 batters (on 8/11/2020 against Toronto)
Ryan Lavarnway (Miami) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Toronto)
Trevor Bauer (Cincinnati) struck out 14 batters (on 8/11/2020 against Kansas City)
Alex Jackson (Atlanta) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against New York (NYY))
Jonathan Loaisiga (New York (NYY)) struck out 15 batters (on 8/11/2020 against Atlanta)
Clint Frazier (New York (NYY)) had 5hits (on 8/11/2020 against Atlanta)
Rio Ruiz (Baltimore) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Philadelphia)
Chance Sisco (Baltimore) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Philadelphia)
Luis Robert (Chicago (CWS)) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Detroit)
Spencer Turnbull (Detroit) struck out 16 batters (on 8/11/2020 against Chicago (CWS))
Dylan Cease (Chicago (CWS)) struck out 11 batters (on 8/11/2020 against Detroit)
Carlos Carrasco (Cleveland) struck out 17 batters (on 8/11/2020 against Chicago (CC))
Asdrubal Cabrera (Washington) hit 3 homers (on 8/11/2020 against New York (NYM))
J.D. Davis (New York (NYM)) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Washington)
Howie Kendrick (Washington) hit 6 RBI (on 8/11/2020 against New York (NYM))
Hunter Renfroe (Tampa Bay) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Boston)
Yoshi Tsutsugo (Tampa Bay) hit 6 RBI (on 8/11/2020 against Boston)
Blake Snell (Tampa Bay) struck out 10 batters (on 8/11/2020 against Boston)
Ronald Guzman (Texas) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Seattle)
Brian Goodwin (Anaheim) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Oakland)
Wil Myers (San Diego) struck out 4 times (on 8/11/2020 against Los Angeles)
Cal Quantrill (San Diego) struck out 10 batters (on 8/11/2020 against Los Angeles)
Walker Buehler (Los Angeles) struck out 12 batters (on 8/11/2020 against San Diego)
Yasmani Grandal (Chicago (CWS)) struck out 4 times (on 8/12/2020 against Detroit)
David Peralta (Arizona) had 5hits (on 8/12/2020 against Colorado)
Ketel Marte (Arizona) had 5hits (on 8/12/2020 against Colorado)
Christian Walker (Arizona) hit 10 RBI (on 8/12/2020 against Colorado)
Jose Ramirez (Cleveland) hit 6 RBI (on 8/12/2020 against Chicago (CC))
Shane Bieber (Cleveland) struck out 16 batters (on 8/12/2020 against Chicago (CC))
Travis Shaw (Toronto) hit 3 homers (on 8/12/2020 against Miami)
Travis Shaw (Toronto) hit 7 RBI (on 8/12/2020 against Miami)
Teoscar Hernandez (Toronto) hit 4 homers (on 8/12/2020 against Miami)
Teoscar Hernandez (Toronto) hit 6 RBI (on 8/12/2020 against Miami)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto) hit 3 homers (on 8/12/2020 against Miami)
Jorge Soler (Kansas City) struck out 4 times (on 8/12/2020 against Cincinnati)
Co RBIn Burnes (Milwaukee) struck out 16 batters (on 8/12/2020 against Minnesota)
Alex Dickerson (San Francisco) hit 6 RBI (on 8/12/2020 against Houston)
Gerrit Cole (Washington) struck out 13 batters (on 8/12/2020 against New York (NYM))
Kevin Kiermaier (Tampa Bay) struck out 4 times (on 8/12/2020 against Boston)
Luis Guillorme (New York (NYM)) had 5hits (on 8/13/2020 against Washington)
Rio Ruiz (Baltimore) struck out 4 times (on 8/13/2020 against Philadelphia)
Freddy Peralta (Milwaukee) struck out 15 batters (on 8/13/2020 against Chicago (CC))
Jackie Bradley Jr. (Boston) struck out 4 times (on 8/13/2020 against Tampa Bay)
Jose Osuna (Pittsburgh) struck out 4 times (on 8/13/2020 against Cincinnati)
Sonny Gray (Cincinnati) struck out 10 batters (on 8/13/2020 against Pittsburgh)
Justin Turner (Los Angeles) had 5hits (on 8/13/2020 against San Diego)
Chris Taylor (Los Angeles) had 5hits (on 8/13/2020 against San Diego)
Michael Chavis (Los Angeles) had 6hits (on 8/13/2020 against San Diego)
Mookie Betts (Los Angeles) hit 6 RBI (on 8/13/2020 against San Diego)
Austin Barnes (Los Angeles) had 5hits (on 8/13/2020 against San Diego)
Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles) struck out 14 batters (on 8/13/2020 against San Diego)
Yoshi Tsutsugo (Tampa Bay) struck out 5 times (on 8/14/2020 against Toronto)
Travis Shaw (Toronto) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against Tampa Bay)
Mike Brosseau (Tampa Bay) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against Toronto)
Kevin Pillar (Boston) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against New York (NYY))
Michael Conforto (New York (NYM)) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against Philadelphia)
Andres Gimenez (New York (NYM)) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against Philadelphia)
Dwight Smith Jr. (Baltimore) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against Washington)
Max Scherzer (Washington) struck out 13 batters (on 8/14/2020 against Baltimore)
Jeimer Candelario (Detroit) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against Cleveland)
Aaron Civale (Cleveland) struck out 11 batters (on 8/14/2020 against Detroit)
Nick Senzel (Cincinnati) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against Pittsburgh)
Josh Bell (Pittsburgh) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against Cincinnati)
Trevor Williams (Pittsburgh) struck out 10 batters (on 8/14/2020 against Cincinnati)
Luis Castillo (Cincinnati) struck out 14 batters (on 8/14/2020 against Pittsburgh)
Joey Gallo (Texas) struck out 5 times (on 8/14/2020 against Colorado)
German Marquez (Colorado) struck out 13 batters (on 8/14/2020 against Texas)
Framber Valdez (Houston) struck out 10 batters (on 8/14/2020 against Seattle)
Edwin Rios (Los Angeles) struck out 4 times (on 8/14/2020 against Anaheim)
Dylan Bundy (Anaheim) struck out 14 batters (on 8/14/2020 against Los Angeles)
Dinelson Lamet (San Diego) struck out 12 batters (on 8/14/2020 against Arizona)
Kevin Gausman (San Francisco) struck out 10 batters (on 8/14/2020 against Oakland)
Luis Robert (Chicago (CWS)) struck out 4 times (on 8/15/2020 against St. Louis)
Yasmani Grandal (Chicago (CWS)) had 5 hits (on 8/15/2020 against St. Louis)
Ross Stripling (Chicago (CWS)) struck out 12 batters (on 8/15/2020 against St. Louis)
Aaron Nola (Philadelphia) struck out 12 batters (on 8/15/2020 against New York (NYM))
Max Fried (Atlanta) struck out 10 batters (on 8/15/2020 against Miami)
Tyler Alexander (Detroit) struck out 10 batters (on 8/15/2020 against Cleveland)
Chad Kuhl (Pittsburgh) struck out 14 batters (on 8/15/2020 against Cincinnati)
Tejay Antone (Cincinnati) struck out 11 batters (on 8/15/2020 against Pittsburgh)
Alex Cobb (Baltimore) struck out 10 batters (on 8/15/2020 against Washington)
Nelson Cruz (Minnesota) struck out 4 times (on 8/15/2020 against Kansas City)
Danny Duffy (Kansas City) struck out 17 batters (on 8/15/2020 against Minnesota)
Kansas City and Minnesota played 14.5 innings on 8/15/2020
Ramon Laureano (Oakland) struck out 4 times (on 8/15/2020 against San Francisco)
Greg Garcia (San Diego) struck out 4 times (on 8/15/2020 against Arizona)
Zac Gallen (Arizona) struck out 18 batters (on 8/15/2020 against San Diego)
Dominic Smith (New York (NYM)) struck out 5 times (on 8/16/2020 against Philadelphia)
Michael Conforto (New York (NYM)) struck out 5 times (on 8/16/2020 against Philadelphia)
Bryce Harper (Philadelphia) had 5hits (on 8/16/2020 against New York (NYM))
Phil Gosselin (Philadelphia) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against New York (NYM))
Zach Eflin (Philadelphia) struck out 12 batters (on 8/16/2020 against New York (NYM))
Pedro Severino (Baltimore) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against Washington)
Chance Sisco (Baltimore) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against Washington)
Anibal Sanchez (Washington) struck out 15 batters (on 8/16/2020 against Baltimore)
Alex Jackson (Atlanta) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against Miami)
Grant Dayton (Atlanta) struck out 11 batters (on 8/16/2020 against Miami)
Nick Markakis (Atlanta) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against Miami)
Humberto Mejia (Miami) struck out 26 batters (on 8/16/2020 against Atlanta)
Carlos Carrasco (Cleveland) struck out 11 batters (on 8/16/2020 against Detroit)
Nick Senzel (Cincinnati) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against Pittsburgh)
Ryan McBroom (Kansas City) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against Minnesota)
Devin Smeltzer (Minnesota) struck out 14 batters (on 8/16/2020 against Kansas City)
Steven Souza Jr. (Chicago (CC)) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against Milwaukee)
Josh Lindblom (Milwaukee) struck out 11 batters (on 8/16/2020 against Chicago (CC))
Ryan Castellani (Colorado) struck out 10 batters (on 8/16/2020 against Texas)
Edwin Rios (Los Angeles) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against Anaheim)
Griffin Canning (Anaheim) struck out 10 batters (on 8/16/2020 against Los Angeles)
Victor Robles (New York (NYY)) struck out 4 times (on 8/16/2020 against Boston)

Opening day newsletter! Games through 8-9-20

Hey! ALL THIRTY teams submitted lineups this week! That’s AWESOME and I’m overwhelmed by the reaction to this short, strange season.

Jon Lester threw a perfect game for the Cubs against the Cardinals on 8-9-20!

NEWCOMERS!!!

We may ask Michael Mendoza to submit to a performance-enhancing drug test; his Pirates finished 4 games over the actual club and logged 7 wins overall. Steve Clemmons also had 7 wins and managed an unholy mess unprecedented in this league, so hanging tough in that situation is no small accomplishment. Pat Walsh’s Tigers and Gary Ruud’s Giants both did at least as well as my Mets, although that turned out to be a pretty low bar this week.

BIG STORIES

The Braves raced out the to best record in NL, with Washington right on their heels with a better WOR…Colorado is hot in real life and hot in the ASFBL…The Cubs are in first place even though they are 0-3 in 1-run games…Baltimore is killing it in the AL! +3 WOR and first place in the AL East…returning champ Steve Skrovan of Cleveland is 11-6 but a game behind Minnesota…Jim Casey has Houston being Houston and in first place…Leo’s Chisox are markedly good in 1-run games…the NL west has some crazy scheduling issues, so Colorado is in first but has played 8 games outside the division; the Padres are looking strong this year and have played every game in the division…Aaron Judge leads the ASFBL with 13 homers; Tatis Jr. has 12 in the NL…Mike Soroka leads the ASFBL with a 3-0 record, which makes it a bummer for the Braves that he’s out for the rest of the year…and that start-of-season DL-free scheme seems to have worked out well in this case…

TECHNICALITIES

The wild card standings are obviously off, but I’m not gonna re-code those for the 16-team playoff format experiment until that becomes permanent…We can’t re-run the games, but if you see something amiss in the boxscores let me know…the normal “feats and failures” section won’t be here this week because I can’t figure out where it got stored, but for week 1 those are largely similar to the seasonal totals.