Dedicated to Tyler Skaggs after his untimely passing.

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Week 13 is in the books and we saw one impressive winning streak end to an even more impressive winning streak.  We already have the first seed for the playoffs clinched and we’re not even at the all-star break.  This clinching of the first seed means nothing, because all that matters is just getting into the playoffs, record doesn’t matter once in the playoffs. 

We also saw 2 teams flirt with breaking the Ks record, the HR beaten, and RBI record getting demolished, albeit in a losing effort.  Most of the matchups ended up not being that close except for 2. 

Unfortunately, there are no Jerichos to report this week either.  This is sad news because of the newly found interest in the distinction with the name change which everyone around the league seems to agree is a much better name.

East Coast Kings silence Rojo’s Renegade Force 8-2-4

MVP

Nelson Cruz 5 Runs 2 2Bs, 3 HRs, 10 RBI, .500 OBP

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In an interesting strategic decision, Rojo decided it would be best to only make 7 out of 12 starts this week.  Bold strategy Cotton!  The move did not pay off as this matchup wasn’t particularly close, I am sure Rojo had numerous empty lineup spots as well if he only started 7 pitchers this week.  48 Ks might be an all-time low, but I don’t feel like fact checking that.  One must start questioning how long Rojo is going to stick around the Backyard or if he is just too cool for us losers.

R Mac won the battle of the chat mutes with relative ease this week.  He himself only made 11 starts, but that was still 4 more than the other Ryan in the league.  Nelson Cruz had a big week on his way to matchup MVP honors.  I guess I’ll make mention of Rafael Devers’ 7 2Bs this week, because that is impressive whether his GM was paying attention to him or not.

Next week

RRF (6-6-1) v IBB (5-7-1)

ECK (7-6) v RAYS (3-7-3)

Pacific Beach X-Rays bulk their way to victory against Ocean Gate Fishing Club 9-3-2

MVP

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 7 Runs, 1 2B, 5 HRs, 8 RBI, .462 OBP

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Lourdy Lourd, Gurriel had himself a week with his 7 Runs, 5 HRs, and 8 RBI.  He gets the MVP of the matchup despite The X-Rays tying the Ks record this week.  He got a lot of Ks from a lot of guys including like 16 or something from Snell, but his other stats weren’t the most impressive considering he had 1 so-so start out of his 2 this week.  Kevin Newman was another big bat for the Rays chipping in 3 HRs and 7 RBIs.  X-Rays may be tied for last, but do not mistake them for an easy win.  The no light days and bulking philosophy makes this team very dangerous.  They may have suffered from a bit of bad luck this season as well when you look at where they rank on the year in all the categories, but we’ll expand on that more in the July Power Rankings.

Greg’s team is pretty good in their own right.  He got big strike out performances from pitchers Bieber (17 Ks), Cole (13 Ks), and Fried (14 Ks), but unfortunately, he was playing the guy who seems to get 100 Ks every week.  The Fishing Club disappointed on offense this week which is a shame considering some of those guys they have.  They look to bounce back against the Isotopes in the extended Week 14.

Next Week

RAYS (3-7-3) v ECK (7-6)

OGFC (6-6-1) v TOPES (7-6)

Barnegat Banana Slugs out pitch the slugging Bad Dudes 7-6-1

***MVP OF THE WEEK***

Max Scherzer 16 IP, 24 Ks, 2 QS, 2 W, 1.29 ERA

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87 RBI for the now last place Bad Dudes.  This shattered the previous RBI record which was established in the BD era, so who really cares about that old record anyway.  His 28 HRs were also an all-time Backyard record.  All this was done with Stanton landing back on the IL.  And you can forget about the 60/60 club, Lobman just established 60/80 club.  Most impressive part about these records is how Lobman still didn’t win the matchup.  He’s still a loser, even with his 62 Runs, 28 HRs, 87 RBI, and .388 OBP.  Lobman only has a few more weeks to trade for some pitching.  He may be sitting in last place currently, but he is by no means out of this playoff race. 

Breaking News.  Mad Max is pretty good.  24 K week is no joke no matter how many starts you have.  He was simply dominant and helped bring the Slugs to 1 K away from tying the all time K record with Odom’s Rays this week.  Trevor Bauer also pitched in 12 Ks over 6.2 innings.  This matchup was a classic pitching vs hitting battle and pitching won.  All the other team had to do was win 1 category on their weak side and the Slugs were able to win doubles.  Luke Voit only hitter of note for the Slugs as he chipped in 5 2Bs.

Next Week

BBS (5-7-1) v LTBS (13-0)

RCBD (3-7-3) v LAKE (5-8)

Island Beach Bears beat Lakehurst Leviathans 7-2-5

MVP
Max Muncy 4 Runs, 1 2B, 3 HRs, 12 RBI, .367 OBP

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Well this was an ugly matchup looking at the surface stats, so much so that I really do not want to spend to much time on it.  Bears won the category of ERA for the week with a hideous 5.65 ERA to Shane’s 6.00.  Max Muncy was good, 12 RBI weeks are very impressive.  To the Bears credit, 51 RBIs is pretty good, but .317 OBP is not.  The only teams that both these teams would have beat beside each other was probably the 7 start Renegades.

Next Week

IBB (5-7-1) v RRF (6-6-1)

LAKE (5-8) v RCBD (3-7-3)

***MATCHUP OF THE WEEK REVIEW***

Lacey Township Backdoor Sliderz stay undefeated with Sunday night magic to beat Astoria Isotopes 7-5-2

MVP

Ronald Acuna Jr 11 Runs, 2 2Bs, 2 HRs, 2 RBI, 4 SBs, .469 OBP

The matchup of the week did not fail to deliver.  The rematch from last year’s championship came down to the wire as Dochney was able to lean on the Baby Braves stirring up Sunday night magic in order to capture a victory.  It was Acuna’s home run that solidified the win for the REIGNING, DEFENDING, UNDISPUTED BACKYARD CHAMPION OF THE WOOOOOOOOORLD, SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEAAAAAN DOCHNEY! (imagine Paul Heyman delivering that).  T’s winning streak ended at 7 while Dochney’s streak is now at 18 dating back to last season.  Dochney has clinched the top seed and it’s not even the ASB.

Dochney did everything he could do to lose this matchup by having empty lineup spots on full days with players sitting in their respected MLB lineup.  Missed out on a DeGrom QS because I was sleeping at the wheel and left him on the bench.  But the Sliderz were able to produce just enough while I was on auto pilot.  Pitching was awful for the Backdoor Sliderz.  Seems like they just have not been that sharp over the last few weeks, which is not a good sign going into an 18-start week against the Slugs.

T had a tough loss in this one as he lost a Sunday lead to Dochney’s squad down in Lacey.  T was so emotionally crippled and traumatized from #DochWeek that he had to take off work Monday.  Can anybody get LaMahieu out right now btw?  He was dominant once again with 8 Runs, 3 2Bs, 1 3B, 2 HRs, 10 RBIs, .654 OBP.  Charlie Blackmon is also back folks as he had himself one hell of a week as well (11 Runs, 2 HRs, 7 RBI, .452 OBP). 

Next Week

LTBS (13-0) v BBS (5-7-1)

TOPES (7-6) v OGFC (6-6-1)

A LOOK AHEAD

Next week will be the extended 2-week matchup because of the all-star break.  Each team will be able to start 18 pitchers.  The biggest storyline will be how many starts will Rojo throw out there? 

***Matchup of the week in week 14 East Coast Kings (7-6) vs Pacific Beach X-Rays (3-7-3)***

This is a shocking turn of events as I stated that Dochney will be getting every matchup of the week until his streak ends, but it was decided that R Mac and Odom getting it this week.  Odom is fighting to keep his playoff hopes alive as he goes against a formidable foe in R Mac.  Odom is sitting tied for last, but I do not believe his team is a last place team when looking at his stats compared to the rest of the league.  He may be victim to some bad luck according to the new rating system that means nothing that was just created by Dochney.  This will be expanded upon further in the July Power Rankings