I was wholly prepared to write my team’s obituary this week. After two frustratingly, mediocre weeks against Evan and Hunter which ended in two ties, I thought my season had ended. I began to entertain offers for my Aces ready to look forward to next year. Yet by the grace of the Fantasy Gods, my team exploded on Sunday while Cameron’s imploded. With Jacob’s strong showing as well, the last few weeks will come down to the wire. Will Ronak AND Evan both miss the playoffs? I sure hope so.
I’m Sorry Emmett
I would like to apologize to my good friend and fellow Gauntleteer, Emmett Schindler. A few weeks ago, I asked a seemingly harmless question to Emmett, yet it seemed to have struck a nerve. I realized this was a buildup of inadvertent shots I’ve taken at Emmett along the entire year.
First, in my preseason ranking I disrespected this man, saying his team would implode and finish last. His team defied all my expectations and has performed impressively throughout the year.
Second, I’ve taken slight digs at him for selling Verlander too soon while his team was still middle of the pack. Middle of the pack, however, will get you nowhere in the Gauntlet, and the $22 he received is the most this year money traded for a pitcher.
Third, I foolishly asked him why he was selling when only a few games back, yet selling in his position is completely rational. I forget not all Gauntleteers are like Evan and I.
For the Gauntlet as a whole, Emmett is likely the Gauntlet’s most well rounded player. Unlike most of us with hockey, Emmett is above average in every sport, and he probably has more football championships than most of the Gauntlet combined.
At times, I equate a lack of GroupMe activity with a lack of intensity when that’s not the case. Not all GM’s crave the spotlight or constantly bitch about their teams. In the Gauntlet, Emmett is the silent, but deadly type.
Trade Talk
Finally, onto some actual content. For the second half of July, zero trades were made. ZERO. Evan, what are you doing? Are you just going to sit idly by while Jacob and I boot you from the playoffs? You too Ronak. At least you made a trade August 1st.
Which hasn’t worked out too well. Cameron sends Pineda to Ronak for Bundy and $2 in next year money. Pineda promptly went on the DL because of course he did.
I became active in the trade market once again, as I try to make my 6th “last push” move into the playoffs. I gave Cameron Kingery, Peacock, and $8 this year, $6 next year for Donaldson and Paddock. Hopefully, Paddock can give me 5-6 solid starts down the stretch. More likely than not, he’ll get shut down tomorrow.
Matchup 15
Ronalds Lobos tied Brennan Huff 6-6
Disgusting. The Lobos take the season series 10-13-1.
Mr. Conway Twitty crushed Cheap Players Available NOW 9-2-1
Emmett wins the season series 13-8-3.
Team Chippy dominated The Bounceback Braves 9-2-1
Taylor sweeps the season series 16-7-1.
2019-20 Gauntlet Champ squeaks by Governor Clark 7-5
First time Adam lost a majority of hitting categories in a while. Adam sweeps the season series 17-7.
Vlad the Impaler tops Xan Pham 8-4
Sean takes the season series 14-10.
Kirby’s Keebler Cookies beat Threat Level Midnight 8-4
Ronak sweeps the season series 15-8-1.
Matchup 16
Brennan Huff tied Governor Clark 5-5-2
Fuck. I take the season series 13-8-3.
Ronalds Lobos obliterated Cheap Players Available Now 11-1
Evan sweeps the season series 17-5-2.
The Bounceback Braves topped Mr. Conway Twitty 8-4
Emmett squeaks out with the season series 12-11-1.
Xan Pham cruised by Team Chippy 9-2-1
Xan Pham takes the season series 14-9-1.
2019-20 Gauntlet Champion crushed Threat Level Midnight 9-2-1
Adam sweeps the season series 18-4-2.
Vlad the Impaler ate Kirby’s Keebler Cookies 8-4
Sean sweeps the season series 15-9.
Matchup 17
Cheap Players Available NOW tops The Bounceback Braves 6-5-1
In what may be a three way battle for last place, Sam’s pitiful squad could only manage to gain half a game on Jake. Sam currently holds an 8.5 game lead for last which will be difficult to overcome. Jake still takes the season serious 15-8-1.
Governor Clark STUNS Ronalds Lobos 10-2
I definitely can say I did not see this one coming. Nelson Cruz has been on an absolute tear the past two weeks, and Hunter’s pitching has held up well. While in 11th place now, a solid last few weeks and consolation bracket would keep Hunter in overall Gauntlet contention. Hunter squeaks away with the season series win 12-11-1.
Team Chippy splits Kirby’s Keebler Cookies 6-6
For both teams, this result is disappointing. A big win could have vaulted Taylor back into playoff contention, but his offense let him down once again. Ronak can’t tread water much longer as both Jacob and I have gained significant ground over the past two weeks. Ronak still takes the season series 14-9-1.
Vlad the Impaler dominates 2019-20 Gauntlet Champion 10-2
For the first time all season, Adam has looked vulnerable in back to back weeks. While still strongly holding onto the one seed, he’ll need to get healthy going into playoffs. For Sean, he pulled ahead of both Ronak and Evan which is a big deal in what is shaping up to be an interesting race. Sean takes the season series 15-9.
Xan Pham cruises by Mr. Conway Twitty 9-2-1
A big win for Jacob this week catapulted him to the 5th spot. While injuries continue to plague his team (don’t invest in Yankees), he still has a solid shot to make the playoffs. Jacob takes the season series 13-9-2.
Brennan Huff obliterates Threat Level Midnight 11-1
Like I mentioned early, I though my season was over. A solid day all around for me was the difference as I managed to take all the close categories by the slimmest of margins. After not beating Cameron in any of our Roto leagues, or managing to take a matchup from him last year, this win is a big moral victory for a formerly one-sided rivalry. With this win, mine and Cameron playoff odds flipped. With all his pickups, Cameron could have been a contender if he chose to, yet he decided selling was more prudent. He made out quite nicely this baseball season, and we will see if he can turn that into success in other sports this year as well as next. I squeak out the season series 12-10-2.
Matchup 18 Key Matchups
Brennan Huff vs. Vlad the Impaler
Ronalds Lobos vs. Threat Level Midnight
Matchup 19 Key Matchups
Vlad the Impaler vs. Ronalds Lobos
Matchup 20 Key Matchups
Xan Pham vs. Kirby’s Keebler Cookies
Matchup 21 Key Matchups
2019-20 Gauntlet Champion vs. Xan Pham
Vlad the Impaler vs. Threat Level Midnight
Still Lurking
Team Chippy plays 2019-20 Gauntlet Champion, myself, and Ronalds Lobos in the next three weeks. A big surge could put him back in contention, or he spoil someones playoff hopes.
Possible Spoilers
Mr. Conway Twitter plays four teams in contention over the next four weeks: Kirby’s Keebler Cookies, 2019-20 Gauntlet Champion, myself, and Ronalds Lobos. Just taking 4-5 categories could cause one of us (except Adam) to miss the playoffs.
One Month Remaining
Enjoy the last month of the regular season! Trade deadline is August 20th at 12 pm. Non-playoff teams remember, you’ll still have a consolation bracket that is an extension of the regular season. All games are meaningful for overall Gauntlet Standings.
The Fantasy Gauntlet 