TOUT Wars (17 team, Mixed)
By Perry Van Hook
Well I finally got Votto back into the lineup, but losing Beltre at the same time was a double blow – he had started hitting better and it means I have to play Melvin Mora and hope for a turnaround, or play the valuable but still part time Willy Aybar whom I added a few weeks ago because he could be a MI or CI substitute if needed.
Currently the lineup is:
CÂ – Pierzynski and Y. Molina
CI – Votto, Mora, and Atkins
MI – A. Ramirez, Barmes, and J. Lopez
OF – Ellsbury, N. Cruz, Werth, Juan Rivera, and Dye
UT – Spilborghs (this week with Rockies at home for seven)
Reserve – L. Scott and Willy Aybar
The offense has climbed to 65 points now, fourth in the league, with
BA=.2796 for 15 points; HR=137 for 14 points; RUNS=501 for 10 points; RBI=516 for 10 points; and SB=102 for 16 points
On the pitching side I now have 57.5 points (now sixth) with
ERA=3.93 for 13 points; K=578 for 9 points; S=25 for 7 points; W=48 for 13.5 points; and WHIP=1.28 for 15 points
SP – Carpenter, Hanson, Zimmermann, Washburn, Nieve, Mazzaro, and Blackburn
RP – Broxton and MacDougal
Reserve – Lowe and Saunders (wish I had been that smart a week ago)
While the pitching points have only gone up a point (losing two points in WHIP), I think the stats are better positioned to gain more points in most all categories. Hanson has been worth the wait, and hopefully that will continue in Coors this week.
TOUT differs in many ways from other expert leagues and the recent rule changes have put the emphasis on the individual writer/analyst, and not the site where they are currently working. When there is a vacancy, there is a nomination process, followed by a vetting by a committee and finally a vote. I was glad to have been voted in this year to start with a couple of other newbies in the Mixed League. (If you survive and are “promoted†it is to the AL or NL only leagues). Information about all three of the leagues and the participants as well as articles and comments can be found at the league website (https://www.toutwars.com/).
Here are the TOUT standings after Week 13:
Rank      Team         Points
1) Â Â Â Jason Pliml, MDCÂ Â Â Â Â Â 132.0
2)   Chris Liss, Rotowire      130.0
3)   Perry Van Hook, FB.com   122.5
4)   J.P. Kastner, CreativeSports   103.0
5)   Michael Salfino, SNY.tv    98.0
6)Â Â Â Paul Petera, HQÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â 92.0
7)   David Gonos, OpenSports    90.5
8)Â Â Â Eric Karabell, ESPNÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â 90.0
9)   Andy Behrens, Yahoo.com    88.0
9)   Alex Patton, pattonandco    88.0
11)    Larry Schechter, Shrink    86.5
12)Â Â Â Brendan Roberts, ESPNÂ Â Â Â 84.0
13)Â Â Â Eric Mack, CBSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â 80.5
14)   Alex Cushing, mlb.com    74.5
15)Â Â Â Doug Dennis, HQÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â 66.5
16)   John Hoyos, rotojunkie    66.0
17)Â Â Â Will Carroll, BPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â 38.0
For a complete look at Van Hook’s expert league review, click HERE