I'm currently sitting atop my league (12 team, Head-2-Head Yahoo League), with a 8 game lead over the second place team.
Offense: A+
First, here is my lineup:
C Ivan Rodriguez (DET)
1B Mark Teixeira (ATL)
2B Robinson Cano (NYY)
SS Hanley Ramirez (FLA)
3B Evan Longoria (TB)
OF Josh Hamilton (TEX)
OF Carlos Quentin (CHW)
OF Ryan Braun (MIL)
Util Xavier Nady (PIT)
BN Rick Ankiel (STL)
BN Mark DeRosa (CHC)
My lineup can flatout mash. I had originally had Troy Tulowtizki at SS, but I traded him away along with Jake Peavy and Fausto Carmona for Hanley Ramirez, Aaron Harang, and Chen Ming Wang. Rick Ankiel, Xavier Nady, Carlos Quentin, and Evan Longoria were all WW pickups. I drafted Josh Hamilton in the second to last round of my draft.
I easily lead my league in Home Runs, RBIs, and OPS.
Ivan Rodriguez has been serviceable at catcher, but I have been looking to upgrade with all of the spare offense I have.
My only concerns thus far have been Mark Teixeira and Robinson Cano. Both are notioriously slow starters, and hopefully will play up to their traditional levels in the second half. Teixeira has shown flashes of excellence, but has hardly been consistent. Cano has been a similar case.
Pitching: B
First, my pitchers:
SP Edinson Volquez (CIN)
SP Josh Beckett (BOS)
SP Aaron Harang (CIN)
SP Erik Bedard (SEA)
SP Jon Lester (BOS)
SP Chen Ming Wang (NYY)
SP Johnny Cueto (CIN)
SP/RP Jonathan Sanchez (SFO)
RP Billy Wagner (NYM)
First of all, the positives: Edinson Volquez, Jon Lester, Jonathan Sanchez, and Josh Beckett have all been fantastic. Sanchez has been a most pleasant surprise, ranking in the top 5 in the NL in Ks, while Jon Lester has been excellent as well (especially in his no hitter). Edinson Volquez, obviously, has been dominant, and Josh Beckett has been his usual self.
Now for the negatives: Aaron Harang, Erik Bedard, and Chen Ming Wang. Harang has been by far the biggest problem on my pitching staff, which was completely unexpected. I have considered dropping him several times, but have reconsidered due to hopes that he will regain his form. Chen Ming Wang pitched well early in the season, then trailed off drastically before getting injured. Erik Bedard has hardly been dominant, and is now injured.
I recently picked Cueto up after Clayton Kershaw was sent back to the Minors; he has been improving as of late, so I hope that he will help strengthen my staff.
Overall Grade: A-
I know that my offense will continue to mash for the second half. If my pitching can rebound a bit, then I feel like my team can easily finish first in my league, and that a Championship is not out of the question.
So how are you guys doing?
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Originally Posted by chettt
