So yes, Moneyball 2023 is having its grandest finish ever (!) and is worthy of a Commissioner Note, seems to me!
Setting aside 2020, the absurd 60-game season when the late Squirrels edged out Cotter by 30 points, we have to go back to 2015 to find a season where 1st & 2nd place were separated by less than 300 points. That year, Chubby beat Cotter by 283 pts. Actually, Nick & Chico were within 500 pts that season, too --- also the only time *that's happened since then, aside, again from the 2020 "season".
ANYway, yeah, this season's Cotter v Chico is incredible, nearly alternating days in the top spot. As I write, Cotter has 9 more IP to work with and only trails by 26 points. But I mean, yeah, who the hell knows. Will it go to the final day?
Meanwhile, Sal is well-positioned for his 2nd straight Bronze --- but can BTO or Ugh step on the IP gas & surge past?? Not impossible.
Speaking of Ugh, quite the 2nd half! Seems to be pulling all the right SP streaming levers, in addition to a healthy Woodruff, making his much-maligned trade look not *as bad! ;) But really, helluva job.
But alas, Ugh doesn't even have 5th locked up yet! Yakety lurks! Though his remaining IPs will need to be far more effective than Ughs. Of course, hitting (and D!) also matters, too, it turns out!
The Stache still a real shot at 6th (or 5th?!), though his IP Machine is soon to hit the Wall --- we'll see. Will he edge me out for 6th for a second straight season. And what about the Sticks, of course, currently, ahead of the Eyes? That one has also gone back & forth a bit, as have Bingus & Corona -- all of us have been in the 8 slot within the past few weeks. Can any of us pull off a miracle surge to 5th? I mean, pretty much No. But maybe 6th?! One of us, alas, won't even finish Top 10. [Surely Eye will not be that one, will Eye?]
And yo, Citi, we see you & your 2nd half ascent! She'll also hit the IP wall soon(er than everyone else?), but impressive! Wasn't she in 20th like two weeks ago? Jesus.
Rhett, I'll celebrate your triumphant return to the Top 15 (or 13? or 12?!) in the Summary Memo. For now, I'll just say thank you for once again sending the best Hallmark card w/ your dues.
Buckle up, gonna be a fun finish. (In real MLB, too! )
Sep 19 5:07 PM
Sorry (somewhat) to report we have a new Bottom 10 Pitching entry.
New Top 10 Hitting All-Time! (1-Game)
1. Josh Hamilton (TX-CF/LF): 5/8/12, Drifters: 44.2
2. Adolis Garcia (TX- CR/RF): 4/22/23, Gladden Stache: 41.8
3. Yoenis Cespedes (NYM-LF/CF): 8/21/15, Squirrels: 40.4
4. Trevor Story (BOS- 2B/SS): 5/19/22, J-Rod: 39.9
5. Dustin Pedroia (BOS-2B): 6/24/10, Chubbies, 39.2
5. Kris Bryant (CHC-LF/3B); 6/27/16, Fun PoPo, 39.2
7. J.D. Martinez (AZ-RF); 9/4/17, Chico, 37.9
8. Lonnie Chisenhall (CLE-1B/3B): 6/9/14, Beane Ballers, 37.4
9. Kendrys Morales (KC-1B): 9/20/15, JP Collective, 37.3
10. C.J. Cron (LAA-1B): 7/2/16, Tatin Tartes, 36.9
Top 6 Hitting All-Time (Double-Header)
1.* Ben Zobrist (TB): 4/28/11, Freed Pig: 48.1
2.* Marcus Semien (TX): 6/7/22, Barreleyes: 45.2
3.* Yangervis Solarte (TOR-2B/SS/3B): 5/3/18, Chubby: 44.2
4.* Paul Goldschmidt (STL-1B): 6/14/22, Cotter: 43.8
5.* Brendan Rodgers (CO-2B/3B): 6/1/22, Madison: 40.3
6. * Bo Bichette (TOR-SS): 9/5/22, Maddon: 40.0
7. * Ozzie Albies (ATL-2B): 8/12/23, Gladden: 38.1
8 * Amed Rosario (CLE: SS/LF/CF) : 9/17/22, Yakety: 35.5
Top 10 Pitching, All-Time!
1. Max Scherzer (WAS): 10/3/15, Chico: 102
2. Clayton Kershaw (LAD): 6/18/14, Yakety: 100
3. Matt Cain (SF): 6/13/12, Chubbies: 99
4. Erik Bedard (BAL): 7/7/07, Sting Like Butterfly: 97.6
4. Mad Bum (SF): 7/10/16, Gainesville G-Men: 97.6
6. King Felix (SEA): 8/15/12, Rhone Rangers: 97
6. Justin Verlander (DET): 9/1/19, Tri-State: 97
8. Roy Halladay (PHI): 5/29/10, Cotter Martin: 96
8. Max Scherzer (WAS): 6/14/15, Chico: 96
8. Lucas Giolito (CWS): 8/25/20, Sticks: 96
8. John Means (BAL): 5/5/20, Yakety: 96
Bottom Ten Pitching, All-Time!
1. Jeremy Guthrie (KC): 5/25/15, Sixteen Blue: 1.0, -74
2. Bronson Arroyo (CIN): 6/24/08, Peking Ducks: 1.0, -69.5
3. Jason Jennings (HOU):7/29/07, Cotter Martin, .66, -66
4. Jordan Yamamoto (MIA): 9/9/20, DeGroman, 2.33, -61.6
5. Mike Fiers (OAK): 9/9/19, Corktown Kids, 1.0, -61.5
6. Ben Lively (CIN): 8/1/23, Gladden, 4.0, -61.1
7. Edinson Volquez (KC): 6/24/16, Duda Abides, -59.5
8. King Felix (SEA): 8/15/15, Squirrels, 2.33, -58
8. Mike Foltynewicz (TEX): 7/18/21, Corktown, 1.66, -58
10. AJ Burnett (PIT): 5/2/12, Stumpy, 2.66, -57.5
Top 10 Team Points/Day
1. Sal, 7/2/23: 271
2. Wander, 6/3/21: 268.2
3. Sal, 6/16/23: 258
4. Sticks, 8/2/23: 248.1
5. Sal, 6/28/23: 246.3
6. Sticks: 5/21/23: 234.1
7. **Sting: 9/28/08: 230.3**
8. Cotter: 5/15/23: 227.5
9. Sal: 6/21/23: 225.8
10. Queen, 5/30/23: 225.4
11. Chico: 5/13/22: 223.4
Aug 12 8:39 PM