On Pace: Season Projections based on April

If all teams keep up their current pace, this is what the season will pan out to look like:

Current Standings

American League
East
(3)Tampa Bay - 92-70 (+8)
(2)Boston - 84-78 (-4)
(1)Toronto - 82-80 (-13)
(4)Baltimore - 81-81 (-2)
(5)New York - 78-84 (+3)

Central
(1)Chicago - 99-63 (-9)
(3)Cleveland - 86-76 (+16)
(5)Detroit - 74-88 (+22)
(2)Minnesota - 72-90 (-2)
(4)Kansas City - 60-102 (-8)

West
(1)Oakland - 100-62 (+5)
(2)Los Angeles - 92-70 (+2)
(3)Seattle - 84-78 (-3)
(4)Texas - 57-105 (-8)


National League
East
(1)Atlanta - 95-67 (-10)
(2)New York - 89-73 (-14)
(3)Philadelphia - 87-75 (+5)
(4)Florida - 82-80 (+9)
(5)Washington - 59-103 (+7)

Central
(1)Chicago - 104-58 (+4)
(2)St. Louis - 98-64 (-1)
(3)Milwaukee - 88-74 (-5)
(5)Houston - 80-82 (+13)
(4)Cincinnati - 75-87 (+3)
(6)Pittsburgh - 59-103 (+3)

West
(1)Arizona - 114-48 (-6)
(2)Los Angeles - 90-72 (+6)
(3)Colorado - 65-97 (-7)
(4)San Diego - 56-106 (-7)
(5)San Francisco - 55-107 (-2)

Biggest Movers:
Up - Detroit (+22), Cleveland (+16), Houston (+13)
Down - New York Mets (-14), Toronto (-13), Atlanta (-10)

*Wins may not total 2430 (30*162/2) due to rounding
**Projections based on current record as well as Bill James' Pythagorean Expectation

On Pace: Season Projections After 3 Weeks

If all teams keep up their current pace, this is what the season will pan out to look like:

Current Standings

American League
East
(Last Week - 1)Toronto - 95-67 (-8)
(4)Boston - 88-74 (+11)
(2)Tampa Bay - 84-78 (-14)
(3)Baltimore - 83-79 (-2)
(5)New York - 75-87 (+7)

Central
(1)Chicago - 108-54 (+2)
(3)Minnesota - 74-88 (-6)
(4)Cleveland - 70-92 (-3)
(2)Kansas City - 68-94 (-26)
(5)Detroit - 52-110 (+24)

West
(1)Oakland - 95-67 (+1)
(2)Los Angeles - 90-72 (+7)
(3)Seattle - 87-75 (+5)
(4)Texas - 65-97 (-7)


National League
East
(1)Atlanta - 105-57 (+8)
(2)New York - 103-59 (+8)
(3)Philadelphia - 82-80 (+5)
(4)Florida - 73-89 (+6)
(5)Washington - 52-110 (-6)

Central
(4)Chicago - 100-62 (+19)
(1)St. Louis - 99-63 (-2)
(2)Milwaukee - 93-69 (-5)
(3)Cincinnati - 72-90 (-11)
(6)Houston - 67-95 (-10)
(5)Pittsburgh - 56-106 (-23)

West
(1)Arizona - 120-42 (+2)
(2)Los Angeles - 84-78 (-4)
(4)Colorado - 72-90 (+15)
(3)San Diego - 63-99 (-11)
(5)San Francisco - 53-109 (+3)

Biggest Movers:
Up - Detroit (+24), Chicago (+19)
Down - Kansas City (-26), Pittsburgh (-23)

*Wins may not total 2430 (30*162/2) due to rounding
**Projections based on current record as well as Bill James' Pythagorean Expectation

I Shook Hands With Johnny Depp!!!

Ok this is totally non-sports related, but totally kick-ass!

Johnny Depp and Christian Bale are starring in a new movie, Public Enemies. They are filming in the downtown of my hometown which is awesome. So yesterday I went downtown to check out the set. I didn't realize they would be filming that day but I saw a crowd of people and went over. (***SPOILER ALERT***)They said they just shot a scene in which there was a gun shootout by the Walgreen Drug Store(***ok not so much, but now I have something to watch for!***).

I waited to see if they would continue filming but rumors spread that they were done for the night. It was cold, the sun was going down, and I was wearing shorts so I began to walk around to check out more of the set. I ended up stopping near our library, and watched people walk by with equipment used for filming and taking it back to the trailers. One lady came by and asked me if she could cross the street. I did not think so because I thought it was part of the set, but that the worst that could happen was that some very large security man would tackle her to the ground but it's ok because it's a film set so they have the best people to deal with her injuries.

She then informed me that if i walked about a half-block down the other direction Johnny Depp was shaking hands and actually shook hers. I was shocked because I never expected to see him since I just was there to see the set. I couldn't figure out where he was at because there were quite a few people lined up along the street blocking the way. Luckily I'm tall and there was a section of the crowd with about 30 or 40 cameras in the air. I knew he was going down the line so I found a thinner spot of people and caught a glimpse of him in his awesome hat and sunglasses, and even the most expensive coat I'd ever seen anyone wear.

As he walked by, I was positioned as such that I could only stick out my left hand to shake his. This turned out to be beneficial for me, however, because he went in right handed and that doesn't work. Therefore, he brought his left hand up as well and shook mine with BOTH hands! That was pretty exciting in itself.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera, a pen, or anything for him to autograph since it was unplanned, and I think I was too starstruck to say anything though if I did, apparantly he was responding. People seemed very well-behaved much to my surprise, however, it seems like a one time deal, like he won't do it again, because now that he has once, people will flock there the next time they film. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

As I mentioned, I did not have a camera, however many people did. A few were smart enough to upload their pictures to public photo sites so I could steal them and post them uncredited below:

Lady's and Gentlemen, Mr. Johnny Depp

Don't be afraid of the guy in shades, oh no

Before: The Exclusive Company

After: Walgreen Drugs

Before: New Moon Cafe

After: Skalsa Restaurant

The Sheboygan Press has a nice little video of the Depp appearance. I am not in it, but I am somewhere in that line of people!

On Pace: Season Projections After Two Weeks

If all teams keep up their current pace, this is what the season will pan out to look like:

Current Standings

American League
East
Toronto - 103-59
Tampa Bay - 98-64
Baltimore - 85-77
Boston - 77-85
New York - 68-94

Central
Chicago - 106-56
Kansas City - 94-68
Minnesota - 80-82
Cleveland - 73-89
Detroit - 28-134

West
Oakland - 94-68
Los Angeles - 83-79
Seattle - 82-80
Texas - 72-90

National League
East
Atlanta - 97-65
New York - 95-67
Philadelphia - 77-85
Florida - 67-95
Washington - 58-104

Central
St. Louis - 101-61
Milwaukee - 98-64
Cincinnati - 83-79
Chicago - 81-81
Pittsburgh - 79-83
Houston - 77-85

West
Arizona - 118-44
Los Angeles - 86-76
San Diego - 74-88
Colorado - 57-105
San Francisco - 50-112

*Wins don't total 2430 (81*30) due to rounding
**Projections based on current record as well as Bill James' Pythagorean Expectation

Need 4 Speed - Fantasy Baseball Steals

Stolen bases can be a weak category for many fantasy baseball managers. If you missed out on Jose Reyes, Hanley Ramirez, Carl Crawford, etc, don't worry! There are still options available!

Juan Pierre(99.8% owned): DEAL THIS GUY! He's averaged 60 stolen bases in the last 3 seasons but his time as a regular starter is over. Find somebody who owned him the year before and trade him an an inflated rate. Then pick up one of the following 3 guys!

Carlos Gomez(16.5%): This guy is the definition of fast. He just might be the fastest guy in the AL. In A and AA from '05 to '06, he swiped 105 bases. Had an impressive debut going 2-3 with 2 runs and 2 stolen bases. Batting leadoff, he should have an OBP of .330 or higher and his manager is very aggressive. Gomez should total over 35 steals this year with a potential for 90 or more runs scored.

Cameron Maybin(21.7%): Stole 52 bases in 185 minor league games and slugged .559 in spring. I was shocked when they sent him down to start the season. But when he gets called up watch out! He will run often under Gonzalez in Florida.


Lastings Milledge(71.3%): Hurry, his time as a free agent in your league is limited. People are noticing the talent and taking action! Had 5 SB in spring in just 14 games; also batted .340 with 9 RBI and 10 runs. He is starting in centerfield and currently batting second. He went undrafted in many leagues and is one of the top candidates for a breakout season. Get him on your team before it's too late!

The N8Dogg Challenge - 30 Teams/30 Players

I proposed a challenge to Joey D and he accepted so now we will both take it on. My challenge was since there are 30 baseball teams, construct a team of 29 players and a manager using just one player (or manager) from each team. The basic roster is C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, RF, CF, DH, then 6 bench spots (a backup catcher, and 5 IF/OF). The pitching consists of a 5 SP rotation, 1 CL, and a whopping 8 relievers. And one team must provide a manager instead of a player. Players can only play a position if they have played it currently or in the past (for instance, Ryan Braun, a left fielder, could technically be used at 3B since he played there in 2007), and minor leaguers can only be used if they have been called up once already, or are highly projected to be called up before September.
I will post my team hopefully by tomorrow, and I can't wait to see Joey D's as well!

Runs Accounted For Update

We now officially have a formula for RAF!! It is (R+RBI)/2. You can read more about it here and I will do an Introduction rewrite tomorrow. This is uber-exciting so stay tuned for more RAF news!

How Good is Fukudome?

13 G, 24 H, 51 AB, .417 AVG, 9 HR, 17 RBI, 12 R, 1.716 OPS

Not that good. Maybe this good though:

115 G, 102 H, 373 AB, .273 AVG, 16 HR, 47 RBI, 50 R, .806 OPS

Above are two lines from the same batter in the same season. Chris Shelton of the Detroit Tigers (at the time) hit a whopping 9 HRs in his first 13 games in 2006, only the 4th ever to do that, and first in the AL. However, at the end of the season, he only hit 7 more HRs in 102 more games, and dropped his average 144 points.

OK, so Fukudome really isn't as bad as Shelton, but he isn't the league MVP just because he hit one home run in one game. Shelton is a great reason why you should never judge a book by its cover.

I watched the game yesterday and I was pissed when he hit that homer. And I saw the crowd go berserk, which they had every right to do. However, Fukudome gave the crowd a curtain call. For what? HE DIDN'T WIN THEM THE GAME. Was it a welcome to the Cubs curtain call? I thought it was unnecessary by all means. It's ONE game, he's not the Cubs savior. At least not yet. So I want to let all Cubs fans know something right now. It's very important and I think they really need to know:

Watch out! Fukudome is good. He's great and you are very lucky to have him on your team. I would not be surprised to see him start in the All-Star game (over Corey Hart, of course). However, if there is one thing you can never do, it is take a player and lift him onto your shoulders and give him All-Star treatment until he absolutely deserves it. Do you think the Tigers fans thought Shelton was the answer to their prayers? You bet! But he sucked; absolutely sucked in 2006. And I'm not saying Fukudome will fall that low, but it is a terrible idea to judge somebody by how they play in one game. I have talked to MORE than one Cubs fan, and they all seem to disregard the option of holding off on the Fukudome obsession. I don't know how many Brewers fans were high on Bill Hall last year after his 35 HR season, even Ned Yost batted him cleanup to start the season. He ended up in the 8-hole and batted .254 with 14 HRs. The Cubs dished out a ton of cash for this guy so honestly I really hope he works for you(, just not when you play the Brewers!)

Fukudome is going to be great this season, but he won't put up a 3-run home run in the ninth when you are down 3 probably ever again. And if he does, let me know, I probably won't care though. Remember, Gagne threw 7 straight balls, then two BP fastballs anybody could have jacked. Once pitchers start facing this guy, they will learn how to pitch to him and he won't go 3-3 every game.

Bottom line: Cubs fans, don't get ahead of yourselves. It's always great to be able to expect a player to perform well. But what if he doesn't? I'm not saying he won't. I'm just saying it COULD happen. Something to think about and to look back on once he doesn't live up to your .300, 30, 100, 100 expectations. Which he by all means could...


On another note, I heard the Sara Bareilles' Love Song song today...THREE FREAKING TIMES in about 2 hours. Can that song be played any more? Doesn't she have any other stuff that sounds good. I feel bad for her because she seems like a great singer but this one song will get labeled as all she is and she might not make it further than this. Another one-hit wonder victim.

But who cares about that when Suppan takes on Lilly tomorrow at 1:20 CT. This should be an interesting matchup considering Suppan will NEVER return to 2006 form and Lilly is all 2007 plus more and is in no way going to have an off year, don't even think about it. Or at least all the "experts" say that. Whatever, I don't listen to them. I guess they say the Nationals are supposed to lose a game this season. HOGWASH!!

Oh, and Runs Accounted For is up and running. Full speed ahead. Check it out!!!