The 2012 Strat-O-Master League Chat Room

Keep on doing what you're doing. I like it !

Gary

Thanks Gary for the supporting comment. I appreciate it.

EAST NEWS FROM LAST NIGHT:

The Pollard Kangaroos, after a 2-5 start, have won 7 of their last 8 and lead their division by 1 game over the 5th Avenue Green Team. Meanwhile, Eastbound and Down have lost 5 of their last 6 dropping to 3rd place in the division.

Mike Fiers of the Kangaroos is now 3-0. Purchased for $2.78M, the Kangaroos are getting a lot for their money. After looking at his card, I can see why he was so cheap. I just can't see why he's doing so well.

In contrast, Eastbound and Down's Gio Gonazalez cost $6.75M. He's 1-3. Go figure.

CENTRAL NEWS FROM LAST NIGHT:

The BOSTON BEES swept the last place District Arsenal and maintained their grip on first place with a 10-5 record - tied for best in the league with the NKP Zorros of the West Division. Just before the season started, I noted that the BEES made a shrewd trade with Eastbound and Down getting Curtis Granderson ($4.76M) for Jason Heyward ($8.25M). It seems like a lopsided trade on its face - but considering Granderson's card and the ballpark he plays in - it was a good move.

After we questioned why the Ballwin KAW's had such a poor record - despite having an apparent good draft and a high payroll, they are now playing well. Since stumbling out of the gate at 2-7, they've won 5 out of 6 and are 1 game below the .500 mark. kgmains - KAW's owner - is a master strategist after all.

WEST NEWS FROM LAST NIGHT:

After winning 8 straight and giving up only 16 runs during that span, the first place NKP Zorros met the second place ARIZONA DESERT. The DESERT won 2 out of 3 and are now just 1 game out of first. In that series, 3 NKP players were injured - each for 10 games. The injured players have a combined salary of $18.77M. That's good news for the Zorros next 3 opponents. The Zorros - at 10-5 - are still tied with the BOSTON BEES for the best record in the league. But, considering those injuries, that may not be for long.

The Havana Cigaros exploded for 38 runs and 49 hits in their 3 game series with the Pittsburg Cubs Nats A's 2. That's an average of 12.67 runs and 16.33 hits per game! In game 2, Havana crushed Pittsburg by a score of 20-3 banging out 24 hits for good measure. I guess that was pay back for when Pittsburg scored 15 runs against the Cigaros back in game 8 of the season. The 3 game sweep put the Cigaros back in the chase for the West Division lead as they are now only 3 games out.

Sunday, 10-05-14:

Nice job last night by the Ballwin KAW's Gators, the ARIZONA DESERT and the Pittsburg Cubs Nats A's 2 as they all swept their opponents.

THE EAST:

Eastbound and Down got back on track by taking 2 out of 3 and now have their sights on reclaiming first place from the hot Pollard Kangaroos. I'll try to help edub1969 out, as I play the Kangaroos tonight. But after taking a look at their roster, it's going to be tough.

THE CENTRAL:

The Ballwin KAW's Gators, once a door mat, are now above .500 and only 1 game out in the Central. The Gator's salary cap shrunk to $638,000 when they picked up Elvis Andrus ($7.91M) who was waived by the NKP Zorros. Also in the Central, the Small Ball Wonders moved into a first place tie with the BOSTON BEES by beating them 2 out of 3.

THE WEST:

The Pittsburg Cubs Nats A's 2 put a Z on the forehead of the NKP Zorros and bumped them out of first place. Prior to the sweep, Pittsburg was tied with the The District Arsenal for the worst record in the league. Now at 7-11 - and with a sweep of a first place team under their belt - src5104 has regained his "master strategist" status. Also in the West, The ARIZONA DESERT swept the Havana Cigaros taking over first place from the faltering Zorros.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Tonight marks the end of week 1 and begins the start of inter-division play. First place teams from the Central and the West provide the featured matchup as the 12-6 ARIZONA DESERT host the 11-7 BOSTON BEES. Going into tonight, ARIZONA has the best record in the league.

Lastly, as these games are played, something noteworthy occurs almost every night. However, I don't have the time to review the details of all the games. As such, if anything interesting happens concerning your team - or any other team - whether it be during a series - or something unrelated to the playing of a game - share it with us in this room. Or, if you're not comfortable or interested in writing in a public forum, drop me a note in my in-box. I'll relay the information here and make sure you get the credit for bringing it to my attention.

I'm hopeful tonight that Mike Fiers can turn the Zorros into Zeros, and silence akw8319 and any other critics!

Silence me he did using smoke and mirrors to beat my $6.58M starter - who was 3-1 going into the game.

How come in Game 18 in the 8th inning, my LHP Wright gave up a 5-7 homerun against LHB Choo when the card specifically does not designate it as a homerun? My team is the Havana Cigaros. Why am I constantly getting ripped off by the computer manager, whether its strategically or actually? Perhaps Strat-O-Matic needs to lower the price to about $8 per team with this quality of computer simulation...

Mr. Tongue, I'd say that the Strat-O-Gods are trying to do you a favor. Why would you have Wesley Wright on your roster I the first place? You've got over $36M to spend. You don't get to take it with you when the season is over.

Seriously now, you're completely correct. I'd take it up with HAL if I were you. Seriously.

Monday, 10-06-14:

THE END OF WEEK 1:

Week 1 of the 2012 Strat-O-Master League has ended. The Pollard Kangaroos (13-8), the BOSTON BEES (14-7) and the ARIZONA DESERT (12-9) lead their respective divisions. But the 3rd place team in each division is only 3 games or less behind the front runners.

LAST NIGHT:

In the battle of capital lettered teams, the BOSTON BEES swept the ARIZONA DESERT in a match up featuring the Central and West Division leaders. BOSTON - now at 14-7 - has the best record in the league after week 1.

The 5th Avenue Green Team swept the beleaguered District Arsenal. The Arsenal have now lost 14 in a row. tsylvester22's "master strategist" status is in jeopardy. Not really. He has not quit. See the trade news below.

TRADE NEWS:

In the first trade since the night before the season opener, the 9-12 Havana Cigaros sent Zack Greinke $5.23M and Justin Upton $5.8M to the 4-17 District Arsenal for A.J. Burnett $3.69M and Melky Cabrera $7.92M. Greinke was 1-4 for the Cigaros while Burnett was 0-3 for the Arsenal. Hopefully, this trade will provide a spark to ignite the Arsenal.

PARDON ME:

After taking a shot at the "so-so" pitching card of Pollard Kangaroos' starter Mike Fiers, he promptly beat me last night 5-2 and is now 4-0. I'm not going to cite my injury riddled lineup as an excuse, but it is what it is. His next scheduled start is against the District Arsenal. Some guys get all the breaks.

TONIGHT'S FEATURED MATCHUPS:

The East Divison's tough Eastbound and Down team (11-10) meet the 1st place Central Division's BOSTON BEES (14-7). Although Eastbound and Down is only in 3rd place - and is decimated with injuries to key players, this should be a good one.

Central Division's battling Ballwin KAW's Gators (11-10) square off with the East Division's 5th Avenue Green Team (12-9). Both teams have their sights on 1st place in their respective divisions.

Tuesday, 10-07-14:

LAST NIGHT:

Eastbound and Down, while on the road, swept the BOSTON BEES, thereby knocking the BEES out of 1st place in the Central and moving the Eastbound team from 3rd place to 1st place in the East. As noted yesterday, this was a featured match up. 2 games were decided by 1 run. Eastbound scored 6 times in the 9th inning to win game 1 by a score of 10-6. In game 2, Travis Snider homered in the 9th to win that game for the Down. The Down are now 7-2 in their last 9 games.

The Havana Cigaros swept the powerful Pollard Kangaroos. The wins moved the Cigaros into a 2nd place tie in the West - now only 2 games out of 1st. The Kangaroos were "kicked" out of 1st place in the East and must now clean the Cigaros' ashes out of their pouches.

While on the road, the Baldwin KAW's held the 5th Avenue Green Team to a total of 6 runs in their series sweep. The surging KAW's have swept 3 of their last 5 series and are 12-3 in that span. The Green Team are now 12-12 in the East, while the KAW's moved into a 1st place tie in the Central with the BOSTON BEES.

TRANSACTION ACTIVITY:

Since yesterday, the District Arsenal, the Havana Cigaros and the Pittsburg Cubs Nats A's 2 have been busy in the trade and free agent markets.

In the latest trade, the Arsenal sent Adrian Gonzalez ($6.33M/.198 AVG/2 HR) and James Shields ($3.95M/0-3/7.04 ERA) to Pittsburg for Freddie Freeman ($5.87M/.229 AVG/5 HR) and Mat Latos ($3.58M/2-4/5.14 ERA).

INJURY ISSUES:

Eastbound and Down have 4 players injured who have a salary total of $19.87M. The NKP Zorros have 5 players injured with a total salary of $22.98M. Eastbound has continued to play well in spite of their injuries. The Zorros have not.

STRANGE HAPPENING:

Golden Tongue, owner of the Havana Cigaros, reports that in the 8th inning of game 18, while Havana was in the field, the computer rolled a 5-7, which should have resulted in the hitter getting either a triple (1-4) or a single (5-20). However, the computer awarded the hitter a home run. Any advice on what to do?

PAYBACK:

When Golden Tongue made his posting in this forum last night about the computer error mentioned above, FALCON29 responded with some advice. He also made a playful disparaging remark concerning the composition of the Tongue's team roster. It seems like the Tongue got the last laugh, as the Havana Cigaros swept the Pollard Kangaroos on their "ashes".

ALMOST NO-HITTER:

In game 2 of the NKP Zorros/misslonlyhearts nate's west series, Yovani Gallardo needed 1 more out to pitch a no-hitter. However, Andre Ethier spoiled the no-no by smacking a single to break it up. It was a solid hit on a 2-6 roll. Gallardo ended up with a 1 hitter as nate's west won the game 5-0.

Going into the game, Gallardo had an 0-3 record with an 8.21 ERA - giving up an average of 1.39 hits PER INNING. Are the Zorros that bad, or do we have another Mike Fiers in the making.

TONIGHT'S FEATURED MATCHUP:

Off to a slow start, and somewhat inconsistent since the season began, the Havana Cigaros are starting to heat up. Last night they swept the Pollard Kangaroos - who were at the time in 1st place at 13-8. Tonight they face the 1st place BOSTON BEES who are 14-10. The Cigaros have been making some moves in recent days. Are they for real? A good showing tonight might be an indicator that they are.