Wicked Game, Week 1
I was going to write a post last Saturday, on the eve of our second fantasy season. I was going to make some bold predictions on who I thought had the top teams and who would go on to fantasy baseball immortality. I was going write about who I thought were the draft winners, and who I thought really had their work cut out for them. I was going to show what the winning T-shirt design was going to be.
I am really glad I didn’t.
This first week was Bizarro baseball, even in Fantasyland. Who would have thought CC Sabathia would go -20? Followed by Cy Young Award winners Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum, with Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, and Brandon Webb all following suit?
Who could have imagined the Boston Braves and his auto-picked lineup, rising from the dead to knock off the Dirty Water Dogs? Who could have predicted that Dylan would field a team with a reasonable number of shortstops and dominate in week one?
And who could have possibly conceived that Team Yankeehater would get absolutely destroyed?
So once again I plan on doing a weekly post appropriately titled, The Good, the Not-So-Bad, and the Ugly.
Where is your team going to end up?
THE GOOD
Less Than Zero:
When I saw that I was facing LTZ to start the season, I began to reminisce about our battles from 2008. It seemed like every game went down to the wire. Unfortunately, this game was over by Tuesday. LTZ fields a team of proven stars mixed with a few diamonds in the rough. I know I’m wishing I picked Josh Johnson or Erik Bedard right about now. LTZ, I’m sorry that I couldn’t give you a better match this week, but I’m not sure anyone could have.
Never Short on Stops:
Do not adjust your computer screens. You are reading that correctly. NSOS is making the first of what may be many stints on the Good side of this column. Solid pitching, tough lineup top to bottom. Nice drafting, Dylan.
Rays Those Cowbells:
I’ve known for a while that Dan the #1 Rays Fan knew his stuff. He’s always quick with an informed opinion and always has well thought-out comments. I think we we would be really good friends if he didn’t like those bastard Rays. Am I surprised that RTC had a great draft, then subsequently improved his already strong team with a great trade? In a word, nope.
THE NOT-SO-BAD
Boston Braves:
There is no team in the league that I would rather see lose than the Boston Braves. He auto picks his team, picks up crappy 2-start pitchers (i.e. Hiroki Kuroda), starts the week off down by a bunch, and then manages to rally back and win. I am at a total loss for words right now. Will someone please beat this guy in week two!?
Sarasota RedRays:
At the time I’m writing this, SRR’s game with team Love Boat Captains is still up in the air. Regardless of the outcome, SRR deserves to be in this group. His team features the re-emergence of Troy Tulowitzki and a pitching staff that is throwing the ball great and stacking up points. SRR is going to be tough all year. I just wish I could figure out if he was a Red Sox fan or a Rays fan.
Love Boat Captains:
One of these days, my lovely wife’s team is going to really destroy her opponent. It’s going to be one of those weeks where the game is over by Wednesday afternoon. It’s going to happen eventually. I think. Every week, without fail, this team is in a nail-biter. Keep track of LBC this season. You’ll see a good team that plays hard every week, and it seems like every conceivable thing that can go wrong will. How does she still manage to pull out more that her fair share of victories? I have no idea.
THE UGLY
Yankeehaters:
If there was a really god-awful ugly column, Team YH would headline it, and I have no idea how it’s happening. I really 100% genuinely like my lineup. I like them so much that I’ve only traded one away. I don’t plan on staying down here in the ditch too long. Things are going to change this week. I hope.
Dirty Water Dogs:
If there was a stat for smack talking to his dad, Matt Mc would have won by a thousand points this week. Unfortunately, CBS keeps track of hits, walks, HRs, and wins and losses. Looking at Matt’s lineup, I don’t love his team, even with the two-headed catching monster. But they sure as hell can play better than they did this week. I guarantee that Matt’s pitchers won’t have a repeat performance of week one in the future, and by the end of the season the Dirty Water Dogs will be Showstoppers.
The Tek’s Message:
I know only a few things about young Dan Mc. I know that he auto-picked his team. I know that he comes from a strong baseball lineage, and I’m pretty sure that he won’t be sub-200 points again this season. Any team that features Hanley Ramirez, Carlos Beltran, and Matt Holiday will put up some big numbers. This is just the first-week initiation, Rookie. You’ll be OK.
Boston badboys:
All winter long I’ve been listening to my old man prattle on and on about how he was going to kick my ass in fantasy baseball this season. Well, take a look around, Pop, we’re a couple of cellar-dwellers. To make it even more interesting, we play each other in week 2, which means one of us will be back in the basement next week. With your team as busted up as it is, I don’t plan on it being me.
Good luck to everyone in week two.
Everyone except Dave Mc, that is.
April 13th, 2009 at 11:15 am
What a sweet week…………………..
April 13th, 2009 at 11:51 am
BB, what are you doing? Lineups are due in 10 minutes, and yours is illegal…
April 14th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Ginger Thanks for the notice I got the message to late and I did not think that trade would go through until Monday which put me over on players. Well I’ll work on my team for next week because I get no points for this week per the rules.
Thanks again…..
April 14th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Sorry Dave Mc but as i do feel for your situation, you play me next week, so dont plan on getting back in the win column.
April 15th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I beleive pay back is in order so you need to get Quetin doing better than he is this week.. I wish I knew how the trade would work out for me…
Still Champ bring it on Rookie
April 16th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
I understand your still champion and thus the designated team to beat. But i will be ready. Good Luck.
perhaps a major shakeup this weekend for Rays Those Cowbells? stay tuned.
April 16th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Dan if you’re talking trade….I’m always interested.. I love a good old fashioned blockbuster. I should warn you, I’m not going to let you fleece me like you did to the Boston Braves :)
April 16th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I feel so bad about that, not only did carlos quentin start raking, but the trade put him over the limit on players and cost him a week, and now alex gordon is on the DL. sorry Dave Mc i hope it still works out for you.
Go Matt Kemp!!
April 16th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Quentin was on his bench, he didn’t even need him. Matt Kemp is a hell of a player that will produce solid numbers for him. Now I want to hear more about this “major shakeup” of yours
April 16th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Do you now, well what if i told you that i was thinking of departing with grady sizemore and making some offers to people? now its not for sure! but just keep checking your inbox just in case for the next few days…….
April 16th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
I do love Trade Talk……
April 16th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
OOps I was on Ginger’s account…Ignore her!!
April 16th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
im not sure if im gonna trade him but im definitly gonna shop him around and see if i find anything, and im watching the rays game and theres nobody there.. its so sad. thats not even bandwagon or fairweather its just sad.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
What is up with the Rays fans? It’s not like Kansas City is in town. The White Sox are a good team. You need to get to work on those Rays fans Dan. That team worked way too hard last year, they don’t deserve this.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
they dont deserve this at all. its such a buzz kill when your there and your surronded by blue seats, it makes me not even wanna go. this team needs to move if this keeps up.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:53 pm
With this lousy economy, baseball attendance is down all of the league. It is what it is.
April 16th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
yet the sox sellout streak continues…… one more reason i hate the sox fans.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
The Red Sox fans are loyal not bandwagon jumpers and what can I tell you if the Rays put a streak together the bandwagon jumpers will be back to ruin it for the true Fans. I was so disappointed in the way the Rays fans acted last year. They acted like real asses for lack of other words. I had a 10 game package for 4 years with the Rays. I was more of a loyal fan then anyone of those idiots.
I will always be a true Red Sox fan but I will support the Rays and the community by going to the games.
April 16th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
The Red Sox fans are bandwagon jumpers. all these sox fans around the country who are “life long” fans with there pink hats are just purchased tee shirts are a joke. the red sox have some of the most loyal fans in the league, but the majority of there fans joined in 04. “red sox nation” is the biggest joke i have ever heard.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
The current Red Sox home sellout streak it at 469 games and counting. The streak began May 15th 2003, which according to my calendar is before the 2004 World Series Championship. I would be bitter too if I was watching the defending American League champions put 9000 fans in the seats, but trashing real fans just sounds like sour grapes.
April 16th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
im not talking about the fans in new england, im talking about the people who have never set foot anywhere in boston, but wear there ortiz shirts regardless. all around the counrty it happens. and im not trashing the real fans in boston that made that streak. im trashing the yahoos i deal with at the trop.
but it is intresting to note that the streak started in 03, the year they made the playoffs for the first time since 1999. and in 1985 the sox averaged 22,000 fans. which spiked in 1985.
the rays have no fan base, that much is clear, but to say the sox dont have millions of bandwagon fans is not accurate
April 16th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
*spiked in 1986 i mean
April 18th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I would just like to comment on the 14 run spanking the Yankees got from Clev. today IT WAS GREAT
Yankees still suck and so dont the Yankeehaters
did I say that sorry Dave………………………
I have a legal lineup for next week.
April 19th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I’ll believe it when I see it Dave Mc….
April 19th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I have check my line up more times this week than I did all last year….
April 19th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Congrats Old Guy I looks like a hugh victory in the win column and Yankeehaters go to 0 – 2 Life is just so good right now for the old guys and I dont care that I lost this week. I nice to see that LBC will be carrying you this year.
THE CHAMP
April 20th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
THANKS CHAMP LETS KEEP PLUGGING KING RaT THE BOSTON BADASSES
April 24th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Is Zack Greinkie turning into a monster or what??
April 25th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Yeah and Im feeling the horns right now, 40 pts. But hey, Greinke scored more points this week than BB did all last week so I cant fault the guy for being slick.
And as for the DWD’s, I think next week’s lineup is finally suitable and has alot of potencial. I also wanted to note LBC’s going off for 400+ in week one. That is going to be hard to duplicate.
I just thought I would let everyone know who may (though very slim) be interested in going at some point, The Boston Beer Garden in Naples sucks. Icehouse is still better.
Matt “Is it time to sweep the visitor’s dugout yet?” McLaughlin
April 26th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Cowbells great start to the league you have successfully swept all the McLaughlins .
Dave I’m disappointed that there was no review last week I was waiting for your comments on my Goose egg
Bad Boys these kids need to learn some respect but with my team rught now I’m looking for you to do it.
Ginger what can I say Dave needs to start developing players on his own and stop depending on you for everything even your cast offs are better than what he has.
Teks Message your team hasnt got the message yet to start playing and dont start this week remember I’m your father…
DWD I’m not sure wahts happening with you but you and Tek are running neck and neck oh yah I’m there too….
Thanks to Cobells
LTZ and Never short on stops are for real than will be contender as long as they remeber their passwords and I have been impressed with the numbers they have put up thus far this year.
RedRays is always so quiet I dont know what to expect. Good luck to all except the Ramirez Bros from another mother yankeehaters
Its a long season The Champ
April 26th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Im sure im hated by the McLaughlin family right now lol
April 26th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
No I deal with the bad as well as the good.. You kicked my ass this week .. Good Job Im not a sore loser but pay back is a bitch LOL
April 26th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Your promise of revenge is duly noted, see you in week 9.
April 30th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Anybody goin to any of the games?
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:01 am
I’m going to the game tonight. I really hope Evan Longoria contracts the Swine Flu before 7 p.m tonight.
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:40 am
i was there last night, i dont really understand the sudden meltdowns of beckett and masterson. they were both throwing great and then just collasped?? huge turnaround in my game against ginger, my player longoria hits a slam off her player masterson. it was cool.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:06 am
The swine flu, i dont know that made me laugh so much lol
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:39 pm
The last 2 undefeated teams go down this week and the 2 teams with no wins go head to head next week ..
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
ive got two players left, im not finished just yet
May 6th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Hey Dave im not rejecting your trades because i think there grossly unfair or anything i would do both of them, but i like my catching right now with inge and my rotation is a little thin. i like where your goin though.
May 6th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Thanks Dan, I thought that there are a few teams in need of a catcher upgrade, since I had a surplus I thought I would do a little fishing. You know where to find me if you change your mind. Good luck this week, you have another tough matchup.
May 6th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Good luck to you to, it would appear team yankeehater is back.
May 6th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I think I need t switch teams. Team McLaughlin is not donig to well. Team DWD’s needs help. Im thinking about trading a number of my big name players in exchange for big fantasy stud players. If your interested, I have Dan Uggla and David Wright up on my “people im willing to part with” list.
Matt “How sad is this that I am losing to a 13 year old and that this is my 4th year of fantasy baseball” McLaughlin
May 6th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Your gonna turn it around matt, you have a good squad. you just need a little starting pitching help thats all. its still early.
May 9th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Every week I feel like this is the week to turn things around. I think with the addition of Adam Jones, Bobby Abreu, Rich Harden and Brian Fuentes, I may have a turn around. Its been a good week for transactions all around and we’ll see what happens next week.
Btw, the other day I was asked by the promotions directors at the Miracle to come up with new ideas for promotions and skits with Miss A-Miracle. I decided to email the Phillies with the question seeing as how the Phillie Phanatic is very similar to Missy, and I got an email back from the guy who plays the Phanatic. He is sending me a DVD of the Phanatic and gave me some cool pointers. I felt like the little kid that talks to the big leaguer for their autograph or how I felt the first time I met Paul Molitor at the stadium. It was a “Im Not Worthy” type of moment.
Matt “Death By Mascotting” McLaughlin
May 19th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Can someone take my team and give it a good kick in the rump?? I am not this bad. I love my team but anyone wanna trade for some of my guys? im all ears right now.
May 20th, 2009 at 6:00 am
Dan I feel your pain. I have a great lineup that just isn’t performing. If you want to work on a deal, I am all ears.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
We just have to fight through it dave, just keep fighting.
May 24th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Guys I hear you even though I won this week , everything has been a struggle. Dave I’m even questioning my 2 starts. Heres a first this year all the McLaughlins won. Well that wont be the case when I play Matt next week. Dave and Dan I’m all ears on the trades.
trying to stay Champ
May 25th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Nice pickup with chris carpenter dave, they say patience is a virtue, and apparently yours is greater than mine.
June 7th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Good lord poor dan haren, the dbacks pen blew a 5 run lead in the 9th. again.
June 8th, 2009 at 3:20 am
well this going to be the best week yet. Iget to play the st pete ,largo,tampa what ever middle school kid. he traded half of his team away for a bag of beans.. his team looks like a mash unit(THANKS DAVE MC) after i kick ass this week
. my season will be a happy one..no matter what happens.. MR DICE K IS REALLY SUCKING .but i will keep him he may get hot??? SMOLTZ AND WEBB SHOULD KICK ASS IN JULY..NICE WEEK MR YANKEEHATER WOW!
June 8th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
A bag of beans? Dan haren has more fantasy points than johan santana. did you know that before you started running your mouth? and thats with his pen blowing wins right and left, oh and ian kinsler leads all second baseman in fantasy points, did you know that? and speaking of bad trades, did you enjoy lesters 12 Ks and near perfect game in his last two starts? Wakefield gets rocked by the yankees tomorow, idiot.
June 11th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Wakefield gave me 10 points .. and a W .. Pee Wee……so sit on it Rays boy… WHERE THEY JELLY BEANS OR BOSTON BAKED BEANS ?
CHECK THE SCORE MORON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:}
June 13th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Sorry about jake peavy dave, that sucks.
June 13th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Don’t sweat it Dan. That’s the way it goes sometimes. I’m still happy with the deal. Who’d have thought that Tulo and Brian Roberts would be the big point producersfor us?? I still hae a few tricks up my sleeve. I’ll be ok. Good luck
June 13th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Im happy to, it seems funny that the main players in the trade, kinsler and A rod would have down weeks while others blew up.
On a side note, love your recent trade activity, good job on price.
July 1st, 2009 at 12:31 am
Tonights Sox game made me cry.
July 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Cmon dylan two hours left please check you lineup!
July 20th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Hey Dave, pick 4 outta 5.
Carl Crawford, BJ Upton, Carlos Quentin, Grady Sizemore, Ryan Ludwick.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Hey did anyone go to any of these two games?
August 9th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Attention Foulliners! I am Starting a fantasy football league, and i would love some of you to join. But you have to be active and such. I know some of you are patriot fans, anybody intrested?
August 9th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I’m a Fantasy Football rookie, but I’ll give it a shot
August 9th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Dave
I played only 6 weeks last year, im not much more experinced than you. If you like fantasy baseball, you will like this. Its on CBS so its not much different. Just go to CBSsports home, go to free fantasy football, click join a league, and search for The Time Wasters. Thats the name of my league. Any other foulliners please feel free to join.
August 11th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Dave
Hey, everybody and there grandma was complaining about the draft time, so I changed leagues. So when you get a chance get out of the time wasters and join The Super Awesome League. Thats the new league.