In-N-Out Week 14

Glad I can finally produce some debate. Last week I gave my midseason predictions for the 64/60 Playoffs. I got a angered filled text complete with threats regarding my children should I not change them. I stood my ground, no harm done yet. Two Message Board post conveying others playoff predictions. One believed in the Factory the other did not. Regardless Todd agrees. For the first time perhaps this season this post served it's purpose. While some may disagree this blog is not here to convey my greatness. It's not here to serve Josh Coleman and his excellent analysis, solid ownership skill, and his 64/60 legacy. It's here to serve you. It's here to create buzz amongst the group. A venue to agree, disagree, piss off, piss on, honor, humor, humble, humiliate, the 64/60 Family. So while I type away at 2AM every Wednesday night it's good to know it doesn't go unnoticed. Thank you the four to five people who read it, it means the world.

* A little Swing and Swim update. July 13th, next Saturday for the Calenderly challenged, likely around 2PM. Confirmed attendees include but not limited to: Myself, William Jesse Ward, Dave Hobson, "The Nihilistic Navajo" James Hardy, and the better 2/3 of the McClung's(Matthew don't call me Anderew and Mike for those scoring at home). Given the list of potentials I feel a 4 on 4 best of ___ is a given. Please come out if you can I guarantee I good time will be had by all.

* 64/60 Football 2013 is up. Everyone should have been sent an invite if not please let me know. Should have enough for a 12 team league. I have received some feedback and per WJW request we will be simplifying the roster requirements this season and reverting to the standard 1 QB, 2 RB, 3WR, 1 TE, K and DEF I'll likely add 1 WR/RB/TE Flex play to make the starting roster and even 10. Given the limited roster spots the draft will likely revert from 20 rounds to the more traditional 15. As previously mentioned I'm up for scoring suggestions so if you would like any input please present it to me. If I like it we'll consider it If I don't I'll as always dismiss it. Draft day is looking like late August either the 24th or 31st. I will set a date no later than the Swing and Swim.

* MLB Trade Breakdown. I'll try to break down the fantasy implications of all the deadline deals either in free standing post or within the confines of the In-N-Out. The Cubs send Scott Feldman and Steve Clevenger to the Orioles for Jake Arrieta, Pedro Strop, and International signing money. From a real life standpoint I love the deal for the Cubs. Should Arrieta reach his onetime projected level he becomes a solid 3 should he improve only marginally he is a solid 5 under team control through 2017 pending service time minimums this season. This season he could be a spot start option down the stretch. Strop could pitch his way into Save chances once Gregg is moved. Likely will begin as a mop up/ low leverage situation play but has the K potential coveted from a late inning guy. Feldman's value likely takes a hit from the move to the AL, I would also venture to say Camden Yards will be less of a pitchers park than Wrigley during April and May. Already a sell high play in my opinion the move makes him spot start only moving forward.


* I completed one of my civil duties Sunday and cast my vote for the 2013 All Star Game. I take my privelage as a voter very seriously. I keep to one ballot and refrain from casting the all "homer" ballot. Here is the 2013 Josh Coleman All Star Ballot.

NL: C- Molina, 1B- Goldschmidt, 2B- Phillips, 3B-Wright, SS- Tulo, OF- Brown, CarGo, Gomez
AL: C- Mauer, 1B- Davis, 2B- Kipnis, 3B- M. Cabrera, SS- Peralta, OF- Jones, Trout, Ellsbury DH- Encarnacion


Game Recaps

BCFP 9 vs. 9irons 1. Another installment of this one-sided Civil War amongst the Coleman's. As if the constant ridicule within these post aren't enough GRC3 now must deal with this defeat. It must be difficult being over-shadowed by one's younger sibling. If it makes you feel better Richard your #1 in Pearl's eyes. While GRC3 has many shortcomings taking Fantasy Baseball losses hard isn't one of them. It's Wednesday and my guess is this loss ranks behind the forgettable Fish Sandwich for lunch on Monday, in terms of weekly misfortunes. Looking ahead, could this be the week the fortunes of these two squads start resembling what I have been claiming all season. The decisive win keeps the BCFP in the 4th spot and closes the gap to single digits from the top while also gaining some separation from the playoff fringe. For Richard the loss takes them out playoff, begins an official losing streak, and earns them a 15-31 mark for June.

Topps: Runs-BCFP 51, RBI- BCFP 57, AVG-BCFP .297, OPS-BCFP .885, SV-BCFP 9
O'Pee Chee: SB-9irons 2, SV-9irons 0
MVP: Kipnis .478/3/9/10/2/1.650


T.E.D. 9 vs. Mashers 2. While many may claim to be better when they have the proverbial chip on the shoulder, Jesse really would seem to be. After last weeks midseason playoff predictions left the Mashers asking what gives I expected to see a strong showing this week. Instead what I got is a perfect example of why I can't embrace this 2013 squad. The offensive talent is stellar, ownership is active and in tune with the day to day in's and out's, it's just that damn pitching I can't get over. Four straight weeks with ERA's north of 4.00, middling K and QS totals, and low Save totals to boot. Over the last month this team has produced two WHIP weeks and one K/9 week good enough to typically win a week. Bottom line the margin of for error is to slim in a league with such parity and with a team without much equity built up. Perhaps I'm giving some of the teams below the Mashers too much credit, after all only 4 teams in the league are playing .500 ball or better. Thus a 9 game lead with 9 to play for a team even I consider to be a .500 club could be all the equity they need. The win was much needed for Emanski who is one of the teams hovering below .500 that I like to make the playoffs. Back to back losses would have all but negated the 15-6 mark to begin June that had Emanski on the doorsteps of the 6th seed. When your chasing games any decisive win is good, when it comes against one of the names above you it's even better. While the Deathsquads pitching had a down week it was still good enough to best Ward 5-1, add in a stellar offensive week to combine with the Mashers struggles and the decisive win becomes the net.

Topps: Runs-Mashers 51
O' Pee Chee: SV-Mashers 0, K-Mashers 43, ERA-Mashers 4.36, QS-Mashers 5
MVP: Gio Gonzalez 2/1.35/1.13/11/7.43


The Takeover 8 vs. B'Ville Stars 3. Down and out and left for dead last week. I love seeing a team fight for the moral victories. With only his 3rd win of the season, I'm not about to circle the wagons of the Takeover and suggest a playoff push is possible. As I stated last week this team is done. However given the positive result in combination with more active ownership it would appear the Takeover has embraced the same mentality of previous ownerhip of this franchise, just don't finish last. 11.5 games separate the Takeover from the 11th spot, everything they have shown this season would suggest the hill may be too step but a more hands on approach would resolve a good % of the season long struggles and a more talented roster than sum could make this pursuit possible. The loss drops the Stars to 11th in the standings but still only 4.5 games from the 6th spot. All season long they've ranked higher in the Power Rankings then the on field results so I feel strongly that the talent is there. Injuries have effected the quality of roster but more than anything it's been the refusal to shake things up that has been the downfall. A deal was in place last week to overhaul the roster and infuse more depth. Hill, Sabathia, and Wheeler for Strasburg with yours truly. Agreed upon in principal, league approved, McClung wouldn't pull the trigger. In all fairness the deal wouldn't have made McClung better yet I extended a phone call to continue negotiations that may have improved his playoff chances yet I get crickets in return. From alienating a helping hand to refusing to part with replacement level injured players (Duda) for better alternatives, it's almost as if the Stars don't want to win. Perhaps another playoff defeat at the hands of the Factory would be too much for one to bear.

Topps: WHIP-Takeover 1.06, K-Stars 81, QS-Stars 8
O'Pee Chee: HR-Stars 6, RBI-Stars 28, SB-Stars 2, OPS- Stars .658, SV-Stars 0
MVP: Stephen Fife 2/1.98/.80/8/5.27


Seal Team 41129 7 vs. BC PEDophiles 5. All losses aren't created equal. Loss 7 to 5 against Walls or the Hat's you convince yourself it was damage control. A 7-5 setback to this installment of the 41129 can be seen in no other way than a disappointment. Trust me I'm all to familiar. The pains and struggles of the PED's have been joyfully documented throughout the season and while this is not rock bottom a 13-22 mark against his three biggest rivals over a three week period is certainly heading toward it. Luckily for the PED's it's looking as if .500 will make the playoffs. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times too much detail and too much talent for this team to miss out of the playoffs given the overall balance of the league. While watching Bopp struggle is a passion of mine this baseball season has been even sweeter. Typically Bopp's struggles comes while jogging the bases in wiffle ball games or conjuring up stories about sexual escapades in Student Centers across America. While those failures are enjoyable it lacks the personal anguish associated with Bopp's fantasy baseball struggles. Everyone including Bopp knows his athletic career is a disappointment, everyone knows his tales of adventure are make believe. But Fantasy Baseball is Bopp's game and his track record and legit legacy are now being tarnished as is his coveted Yahoo profile. While Bopp is loathing in self pity, Ev Lemaster has to be feeling good. Going Back to Back with his to biggest detractors and climbing another step in the ladder of the playoffs perhaps. At 11 games under .500 it's not been a good season but 4.5 back from 6th is all that matters. A 29-28 mark over Bopp, Jesse and myself combined with a roster filled primarily with under 30 players and a who's who of young prospects it's been a good year for Lemaster regardless of standing.

Topps: SB-41129 10, AVG-41129 .297
O'Pee Chee: HR-41129 6, SV-41129 0, WHIP-PED's 1.47
MVP: Puig .464/1/6/4/2/1.197


Walls Of Jericho 6 vs. Marshall Maniacs 5. Six straight victories leaves Bowe once again atop the 64/60 universe, along with RTW of course. Hard to believe this team netted one win over the first seven weeks of the season. Is this a troubling trend of peaks and valleys? Or simply a case of solid steady numbers producing different outcomes? Without going into in depth research I would venture to say the pitching has remained excellent all season while the offense has picked up considerably during the winning streak. CarGo hasn't been a MVP all season while Stanton, Zimmerman, and Craig all have rebounded after slow starts. While Bowe may have netted just one win over the first seven weeks thanks to his pitching his biggest margin of defeat was 4-7. How Good is your bad has earned Walls a seat at the head of the table as we begin the push for the playoffs. While one must marvel at the consistency you must also question just how sturdy that tightrope to ultimate success truly is. For the Maniacs take comfort in moral victories. You've got 1 win the last 9 contest and for 7 days you hung in their with the best the league has to offer. Sure it must be painful seeing another name in the spot you held for nearly half the season. Over time things tend to sort themselves out and you my friend are still in the pile. Will you be 4th or 9th? While that remains to be seen, keep doing what you've been doing all season. While I constantly jab you in all fairness your exactly what a good owner should be, constantly in pursuit of that perfect roster. While your constant tweaking and lack of patience can be problematic at times you have managed to take a C roster and produce B level results. That was a compliment, you may want to copy and paste for perseverance.

Topps: HR-Walls 16, K/9-Walls 9.71, K-Maniacs 81
O'Pee Chee: SB-Maniacs 2, QS-Maniacs 5
MVP: Cliff Lee 2/3.00/1.07/17/10.20


Free Hat 6 vs. HGH+ Factory 6. What else did you really expect from these two social dignitaries. Both enjoy a nice Scotch with there evening paper, good laughs with mindless chatter, and taking what the world has to give and running with it(Nate literally, Todd figuratively I would suppose unless he has begun a training regiment). Outside of a tan and SAT scores these two are clones. Therefore it's fitting they end in a 6-6 draw. Both teams struggled on offense. The Hat's bad is just better taking 4 of 2. The HGH+ really dealt this week posting good ratio's(outside to the season long struggle with K/9)and of course benefitting from the closer heavy roster netting a 4-2 advantage. It's only fitting these two go to battle over the course of 7 days yet both end up no worse off than when it started, a gentlemen's fight if I've ever seen one. After a nice 4 week stretch brought the HGH+ into the playoff conversation it's been a rather lackluster 22-25 mark over the last month. For the Hat's the split capps off a 19-23 month that has seen his strong hold atop the standings slip into a two way tie. As stated last week I like both teams to make a playoff appearance this season. Both have talented rosters just composed differently. Todd has more Star Power and can be more dynamic. Nate's roster has much more balance from top to bottom. I'm happy for both owners that this friendly affair is now over with. For the remainder of the season neither will have to worry with being civil and respectful of their opposition as the pursuit for the playoffs begins.

Topps: SB-HGH+ 10, ERA-HGH+ 2.47, QS-Hats 8
O'Pee Chee: HR-HGH+ 6, RBI-HGH+ 28, AVG-HGH+ .245, QS-HGH+ 5
MVP: Miguel Cabrera .417/5/7/7/0/1.565





Power Rankings Offense Pitching Total

1. Free Hat 54.5 54.5 109
2. Maniacs 45 46.5 91.5
3. Mashers 67 22.5 89.5
4. W.O.J. 37 51 88
5. HGH+ 51 36.5 87.5
6. BCFP 27.5 53 80.5
7. T.E.D. 28.5 51.5 80
8. Stars 39 37 76
9. 9irons 32 35 67
10. PED's 27.5 37 64.5
11. Takeover 37.5 14.5 52
12. 41129ers 21.5 29 50.5

Topps: Runs- Mashers, HR- Maniacs, RBI- Mashers, SB- Mashers, AVG- Takeover, OPS- Free Hat, SV- BCFP, K- Free Hat, ERA- Hat, WHIP- Walls, K/9- Walls, QS- Hat


O Pee Chee: Runs- 9irons, HR- Takeover, RBI- Takeover, SB- Maniac, AVG- PED/41129ers, OPS- 41129ers, SV- 9irons, K- Takeover, ERA- 41129ers, WHIP- Stars, K/9- Takeover, QS- Takeover









Pickup Of The Week- Evan Gattis, Free Hat. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times, the point of adding FA talent is to make your team better. While I remain skeptical on what type of production Gattis will bring from this point forward, if he can produce at even 1/2 of his past level, it will be a huge upgrade at the C position for the Hat's. It's been an excellent year for the Hat's from an offensive standpoint yet C has been a black hole from day one. When you take the approach of punting a position you typically expect less than stellar results. While the numbers have been pedestrian it's gotten to the point AB's have become a challenge. While Gattis may not help in that pursuit his numbers should be an upgrade over the current cast of characters.


Head Scratcher Of The Week- Argumentative 9irons release Carlos Marmol. I wanted to be proven wrong. I wanted to believe that GRC3 had this master plan. I wanted to believe all my past criticism could be shoved back in my face as the 9irons plan fell into place. After all Aaron Hill was dropped in favor of Marmol as was Kenley Jansen. Countless roster improvement's have been available over the last three months yet Marmol has held his place on the active 9irons roster. After a seemingly endless attack upon his management decision perhaps I was wrong. Maybe GRC3 had knowledge unbeknownst to 64/60 Nation and the entire Chicago Cubs organization. Perhaps GRC3 had foreseen Marmol's release by the Cubs. Perhaps he envisioned a scenario of Marmol latching on with someone, heading to AAA for two weeks and working his way from mop up duty to the Closers role. Finally during the 9irons playoff drive Marmol would lead all of baseball with 20 Saves over the final month of the season and carrying the category as GRC3 won his 2nd title. That had to be it. How else could you explain some of the roster decisions over the last two months. Given all this new information please explain to me how Marmol could be released for a spot starter in the midst of another Civil War blowout????????????????????? Jr. Before you race to pick up Marmol just know this was meant as a joke and while not impossible, it's very unlikely Marmol has any value outside of his immediate family moving forward in 2013.