This week was going to be a test as well. My opponent was tossing out two aces, Cole Hamels and Jake Peavy, plus some decent starters behind them. Add in his three-and-a-half closers, and here was a team setup to challenge my pitching. Offense had no real speed threats; however, more than a handful of his guys will steal some bases here and there.
My pitching was not outstanding this week, but they did enough to get the job done. The other manager stole WHIP from me, but I cruised to a win in batting average and stolen bases- giving me the 6-4 win overall.
Rickie Weeks continued his power stroke this week with his 6th and 7th homeruns. He still has only attempted 3 steals this season, converting just 1. The frustration built up, and so I spent this week shopping him around. I offered up Weeks for Alexei Ramirez (6 steals), hoping to buy low, but that was ultimately turned aside.
The frustration also carried over to a few other moves. Despite stashing him on my bench (DL spot occupied), I dropped Hiroki Kuroda. This may come back to bite me, but I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to grab a young stud in his first major league stint- Brett Cecil. This guy was considered by some to be destined for the pen, but injuries have put him on the fast track to a starting gig this time around. His 14 scoreless innings in his first 2 starts was too tempting to leave on the waiver wire. I may bench him when he's in the division (Rays, Sox, and Yanks all offensive powerhouses), but it's better a healthy starter on my bench rather than an injured player (given my 9 starting pitchers has yielded 3 DL'ers, and 1 closer).
Current Record:
23-26-1 (8th place)
Due Up:
My week 6 opponent, "Baden Baden", has built an offensive team that has carried him to first place in the league. This is the kind of opponent that this strategy is designed to take down. Sports 3 late-round caliber closers, the kind who could grab some saves but will only hurt his peripherals, and some scrub starters with his ace being Javier Vazquez- and then all downhill from there. With Brandon Morrow healthy I'm back to 5 closers (I count Rafael Soriano and Scott Downs as 1 closer combined). I like my chances, and I expect to walk away with another win. Outlook: 6-4.
Recent Moves:
-4/26/2009: Dropped Randy Winn (OF - SF) for Nyjer Morgan (OF - PIT). Morgan looks like he's getting the green light a little more.
-5/9/2009: Dropped Carlos Gomez (OF - Min) for Juan Pierre (OF - LAD). Manny's suspension opened the door for Pierre, and that little man can run! Meanwhile, Gomez is batting in the dreaded 7/8 area- when he's actually getting play time.
-5/10/2009: Dropped Hiroki Kuroda (SP - LAD) for Brett Cecil (SP - TOR). As mentioned before, I'm taking a chance on a talented young guy. Inconsistency is expected, so I'll play the matchups.
