Week 2 Real Rankings

• Several very close games this week, with one particularly dominant week by Jason.  How dominant was it? Well, consider that there were only five instances when a team’s Real Ranking was below 3.0 for a week last. That’s five times out of 294 data points, or 1.7%. While OBP and SB left much to be desired, One Nut was first in R, HR, RBI, K, ERA, and QS, while finishing second in WHIP. It’s one thing when you nail the cumulative stats due to an inordinate amount of double starts (93 Ks, 11 QS), but it’s another thing when the rate category are superior as well (1.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP). Meanwhile, the 15 HRs matched Gibby’s week 1 output.
• Unfortunately, Jason’s prowess resulted in Shomphe’s unfair demise. Chris had a few rough spots, but a 5.8 Real Ranking is deserving of much more than two wins. After an unlucky first week, you’ll see a laughably out-of-whack Real Ranking (3^rd) vs. Actual Standings (14^th). Despite nice output, the newly named Thor’s Hammered ran into two incredible tough matchups with Sexual Napalm and One Nut, who both were tops in their respective Real Rankings that week. Unfortunate as it may be, this is what makes the Real Rankings useful. At this point, staying the course is probably the best way to go. This stuff typically evens out eventually.
• On the other side of the fairness spectrum, it is quite clear that my squad is the biggest group of frauds through two weeks.  The Revenge have benefited from barely outperforming a couple of tough luck opponents and sit at second in the standings, while the Real Rankings suggest they should be somewhere near the bottom. There will be no such luck this week, with Gibby’s squad coming into town.
• Flawed as it may be, my team is a good example where the Real Rankings can be a bit flawed. Punting S+H has a much more dire effect on the Real Ranking (14^th placed ranking) than it does on the Actual Standings (one category lost).
• Tough start for Mr. Watson and the Brokeback Moundmen. In this case, the rankings are affirming the other. Right now, pitching is the biggest issue with an average line of 53 K, 5.03 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 3 QS, and 6 S+H. You’d expect at least Harvey, Severino, and Cole to start pitching better, while Cashner and Buchholz just might be starting a tough season. Too early to tell and still plenty of talent here.
• Not for nothing, but so far the top three in the Actual Standings are consistent with the pre-draft rankings, including myself, Gibby, and Dave. Big matchup this week with Napalm taking on the Revenge.