Week One

To quote last week's post, my opponent has "some weak spots like...Theriot.."

My shortstop is Jimmy Rollins. My opponent's shortstop was Theriot. Here's how they matched up:

Rollins: 3-28, 2 runs, 0 steals, .274 OPS
Theriot: 11-20. 4 runs, 2 steals, 1.35 OPS

You think that made a difference? (It did)

I remember when the draft was over that I was happy about getting good closer options like Kevin Gregg and Jason Motte late. I was less happy during this week. Motte was given 2 save Opps and didn't convert either (including a two out, three run, game losing double in the 9th inning to the Pirates #8 hitter at home) and Gregg was scored upon in all 4 of his outings (1 save, one blown save, one loss and one 4 run protection. They combined to do this:

5.1 innings, 13 hits, 4 walks, 8 runs and 1 save.

Thankfully, my rotation was there to bail me out. And by "bail me out" I mean pump gallons more water into my sinking boat.

Oswalt: 0-2, 13 IP, 16 hits, 9 runs
Nolasco: 1-1, 11 IP, 14 hits, 10 runs

My pitching was a mess. ERA for the week over 7, and whip of almost 2. Ugly. Sarah Jessica Parker ugly. Hideki Matsui ugly. Ugly.

In the six pitching categories, I went 1-5. I won Saves and lost the rest.

Offensively, Longoria was a total stud and put up: 13-27, 5HR, 10 RBI, 5 Runs and a STEAL! Wright, Teixeira, Hamilton, Peralta and Crawford all put up decent but unimpressive numbers. How does Crawford only score 1 run hitting in front of Longoria all week?

Unfortunately, Rollins wasn't even my worst player as Ramon Hernandez went 1-15 with a .192 OPS.

It didn't end well. I went 2-8-2. It was actually 4-8 until the late Sunday Night game when Theriot (who else) had 2 hits to tie me and then with the game already decided, walked with 2 outs in the top of the 9th and scored on a Koye Hill double. That tied us in Runs. That stuff has to happen, right? Just has to.

Looking Ahead

Week 2 I play one of the worst teams in the league. Last year's manager was replaced for lack of attention, resulting in a bunch of 12-0 automatic losses because he missed the innings minimum. One of these such losses happened against the guy who beat my by 0.5 games for the division. Opening week, this new manager lost a second start from Webb, and started a minor league pitcher in one of his RP spots. He missed the minimum by 1 out. Agains the same asshole from last year who got a free 12-0 week. I'd like to beat this guy. Bad.

I have two starts from Gallardo and Randy Johnson and with Cole Hamels just not there yet, I'm starting Bedard against Detroit. I have one big roster choice to make. Nelson Cruz or Raul Ibanez? I'm keeping Hamilton and Crawford in. Cruz has 6 games at home vs. Baltimore and KC. He's going in. This should end well.