(I decided to break this into two posts because it's long).
Entering the final week, the Dewey Decimators held a 76.5 to 71 point lead over The Benedictines. But the standings looked somewhat volatile, particularly in wins:
Billy Almon Brown Graduate Wins
Sunday, September 27, 2009
| Team | Wins | Points | Starts Left |
| Batteries | 71 | 10 | 2 |
| Jables | 70 | 9 | 12 |
| Decimators | 69 | 8 | 3 |
| JSC's | 68 | 6.5 | 5 |
| Glanvillage | 68 | 6.5 | 4 |
| Benedictines | 67 | 5 | 7 |
| Gueros | 66 | 4 | 3 |
The Jables probably don't belong on this chart despite their ranking in the category; even with Ian Snell and Brandon McCarthy canceling each other out they had 11 opportunities to grab a win.
In retrospect, I'm surprised that my league didn't even entertain the possibility of this upset taking place. The Benedictines had five starters, and Jeff Niemann was definitely going twice. Justin Verlander was going twice only if the final game of the regular season meant something. But even if it didn't, they had three more opportunities than the Decimators to get a win.
The Decimators were only carrying Zack Greinke, John Lackey and Andy Pettitte. They even had carried an essential dead spot, leaving Mark Rzepczynski sitting on the team despite the fact that he had been shut down after his final start on September 1. Why? Because the Decimators were a mere 0.04 ahead of the second place team in ERA and 0.004 behind that same team in WHIP. Picking up Aaron Laffey or Chad Gaudin to try and pick up an iffy win to blow an ERA or WHIP point didn't seem like it was worth it.
The Decimators also entered the week in a stolen base tie with the Towers, 128-128.
Monday, September 28, 2009
| Team | Wins | Points | Starts Left |
| Batteries | 71 | 10 | 2 |
| Jables | 70 | 9 | 11 |
| Decimators | 69 | 7.5 | 3 |
| Glanvillage | 69 | 7.5 | 3 |
| JSC's | 68 | 6 | 5 |
| Benedictines | 67 | 4.5 | 6 |
| Gueros | 67 | 4.5 | 2 |
Niemann gets blown out for The Benedictines and the Orioles and John Danks beat the Indians, taking 1/2 point away from The Benedictines. Meanwhile, Ervin Santana steals 1/2 point away from The Decimators. The Decimators lose 1/2 point in SB thanks to Freddy Guzman. But they're still up 75.5 to 70.5 with six days left.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
| Team | Wins | Points | Starts Left |
| Batteries | 71 | 9.5 | 2 |
| Jables | 71 | 9.5 | 8 |
| Decimators | 69 | 7.5 | 3 |
| Glanvillage | 69 | 7.5 | 2 |
| JSC's | 68 | 5.5 | 4 |
| Benedictines | 68 | 5.5 | 5 |
| Gueros | 67 | 4 | 2 |
Justin Verlander beats the Twins in the nightcap on Tuesday, while Rick Porcello loses on the front end for Glanvillage. Trevor Cahill is overmatched against Felix, and after holding his own for four innings unravels in the 5th. The Benedictines pick up a point, but are still down 75.5 to 71.5. Kevin Youkilis steals another base for the Towers, leaving the Decimators two back in SB.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
| Team | Wins | Points | Starts Left |
| Batteries | 71 | 9 | 1 |
| JSC's | 70 | 8 | 2 |
| Glanvillage | 69 | 6.5 | 1 |
| Decimators | 69 | 6.5 | 3 |
| Benedictines | 68 | 5 | 4 |
| Gueros | 67 | 4 | 2 |
I could keep the Jables on the chart, but they're pretty much going to be off the screen going forward. Eddie Bonine and Roy Halladay both win, putting them two up on the Batteries and out of reach the rest of the way.
Jamie Shields and Brandon Morrow allow the JSC's to leapfrog both Glanvillage People and The Decimators. But since the JSC's were tied with the Benedictines, the lead only drops to 3 1/2 points, 74.5-71. Joba Chamberlain - who the Benedictines had picked up for the final week - gets blown out.
Something you may or may not have noticed is that The Decimators haven't had a single one of their starters go yet. Every one else's opportunities for wins have dwindled, while The Decimators still have three opportunities to win.
Meanwhile, the Tigers win over the Twins puts them three up with four left. They can clinch on Thursday afternoon, and that would ice Verlander for the Benedictines (in all likelihood). All in all, The Decimators still have to be feeling good about their chances.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
| Team | Wins | Points | Starts Left |
| Batteries | 71 | 8.5 | 1 |
| JSC's | 71 | 8.5 | 1 |
| Glanvillage | 69 | 6 | 1 |
| Decimators | 69 | 6 | 2 |
| Benedictines | 69 | 6 | 3 |
| Gueros | 67 | 4 | 2 |
John Lackey pitches two innings for the Decimators and departs. Meanwhile, Jon Lester lasts long enough in his play-off tune up for the Benedictines to win.
Scott Baker picks up a win for the JSC's that's good and bad for the Decimators. It's good because it puts some space between the JSC's and The Benedictines, but bad because it keeps the Twins alive and the hope of a Sunday Justin Verlander start alive as well.
Still, the Lester win is good for a 1 1/2 point swing, and moves the Benedictines closer. It's now 74-72, and while time is obviously running out, there's a narrow window for The Benedictines to squeeze through for the title.
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