BBFL Week 4: Stalking The Walrus

Monday, May 03 2004 @ 08:24 AM EDT

Contributed by: Coach

Two weeks ago, I was downplaying a 12-0 sweep, in which several of the categories were decided by slim margins. Last week, I squeaked out a 7-4 decision that could have gone either way. Once again, I feel fortunate, as my Toronto Walrus remains in first place after a 10-2 victory over the Thunderbirds that doesn't reflect how close the match really was. A mere .008 of AVG, .011 of OBP and .09 in K/BB decided three "games" — I was relieved when it was over, as my hitters, who had been strong all week, collapsed with a 5/38 Sunday. But I'll take it.

Second place AGF is only two games back; their 9-3 win dropped hannibal’s cannibals from fifth to ninth in the standings. The rejuvenated Horse Field Hammers, led by Barry Bonds’ .714 OBP, edged last year’s champion Austin Senators 7-4 to hang on to third place. Billie’s Bashers got back into the thick of the race with an 11-1 drubbing of Jicks Rays, while the Eastern Shore Birds took over fifth by whipping Garces_not_on_roids 9-3. Baird Brain, my opponent this week, thrashed gashouse gorillas 9-2 and moved into the sixth spot.

The SABR Magicians enjoyed their best week yet, winning 10-2 over the slumping Reykjavik Fish Candy. I realize it's still early, and it only takes one or two good weeks in Head-to-Head play to turn things around, but the slow-starting teams must be getting nervous about relegation. The battle to avoid the cellar may be as intense and interesting as the one at the top this season.

The Alomar standings, through four of 22 weeks:

  #  Team                     W-L-T    WPct   GB 
  1  Toronto Walrus          35-11-2   .750   --  
  2  AGF                     32-12-4   .708    2 
  3  Horse Field Hammers     32-15-1   .677    3.5 
  4  Billie's Bashers        31-16-1   .656    4.5 
  5  Eastern Shore Birds     30-17-1   .635    5.5  
  6  Baird Brain             28-17-3   .615    6.5  
  7  Mebion Glyndwr          26-21-1   .552    9.5   
  8  Chatsworth Halos        26-22-0   .542   10 
  9  hannibal's cannibals    25-21-2   .542   10 
 10  Springfield Isotopes    24-22-2   .521   11 
 11  gashouse gorillas       23-23-2   .500   12 
 12  Moscow Rats             22-23-3   .490   12.5 
 13  SABR Magicians          22-25-1   .469   13.5 
 14  K-Town Mashers          18-26-4   .417   16 
 15  Thunderbirds            18-27-3   .406   16.5 
 16  Austin Senators         16-26-6   .396   17 
 17  Red Mosquitos           18-28-2   .396   17 
 18  Reykjavik Fish Candy    13-33-2   .292   22 
 19  Garces_not_on_roids     12-36-0   .250   24 
 20  Jick's Rays              9-39-0   .188   27

My weekly MVP is a tough call; Matt Lawton had 10 singles in 21 AB, which helps the old AVG and OBP, but my entire pitching staff deserves praise, combining for a 1.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 6 wins and 4 saves. LVP was Julio Mateo, who paid for his ineffectiveness with his job. I’m also concerned about Marlon Byrd, mired in a month-long slump and a permanent resident of Larry Bowa’s doghouse -- which is cause and which is effect, I'm not entirely sure, but the waiver papers are signed and sitting by the fax machine.

[whine]Nobody wants to trade with me[/whine] — I'd move a speedy OF and a pitcher for an OF with more pop, if anyone is interested.

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