Wins

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 4:58 am

I like wins. There I said it. It's out of the closet.

While others grouse about what a stupid category it is, I like it.

Yesterday, Kyle Davies got lit up and won. Same with Carlos Zambrano.

In the meantime, John Danks, Max Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, and Ervin Santana were all pitching well enough to win, but would not receive the W.

When we draft a pitcher, we are looking for a guy who can get as many outs as possible. In our case, preferably through a strike out. The pitcher, himself, is merely trying to win the game. Outs are the key for him as well, only with quicker outs being optimum. Strike outs are key for us, gravy for him.

Before the season begins, we study pitchers statistics. His k rate, his k/bb ratio, whatever statistics that make us comfortable in the selection of that pitcher. It is something we can control. Or, at least think we can control. It gives us, at the least, peace of mind that the E.R.A., WHIP, and K's should fall within our guidelines.

Wins are more about team, the starters defense, and bullpen. Taking us to another plane. Without wins, pitchers like Britton, Romero, and Jordan Zimmerman climb rankings boards. If any of these three, or others, pitched for the Yankees, they could see a bump of as much as 5-10 rounds.

Wins are the great equalizer. But, still just one category. Not enough to, say, take AJ Burnett too early, but, admit it, Burnett even without good peripherals is on our minds come draft time.

Writers are not experts. And when one squawks on ESPN or CBS that wins are unfair and should be tossed, it ticks me.

Sure, they're right, it is unfair. But baseball is unfair. The other day, Michael Young was robbed of a three run homer, then later, ducksnorted a ball for a run scoring double.

Is that fair? No, it's baseball. It's the game. And fantasy is our game. We are much better off having Wins as a category than quality starts or some other statistic that merely accentuates the peripheral stats we chase now.

Wins cannot be pigeonholed and that ticks some writers off. CC Sabathia by all rights should have 2-3 wins right now. He has zero. Tough. Live with it. Just like the guy who selected Zambrano and got two wins and has to live with his 6.11/1.58

On game day, we live and die with our pitcher.

The most important thing in both the fantasy players and the pitchers mind, is the W.

As the game is played, the fantasy player starts looking at the peripherals, the K's, WHIP, and E.R.A., while the pitcher keeps focusing on the brass ring, the win.

Wins and saves are part of what sets fantasy baseball apart from fantasy football and fledgling fantasy sports. It MATTERS who wins the game.

Fortunately, Wins are entrenched in fantasy baseball. While writers rail about the inadequecies of the Win category, they fail to mention the beauty of it. The one category that puts you in the same frame of mind as the nine players taking the field for your pitcher's game.

Writers can take pot shots. It's easier to complain about perceived unfairness, then to enjoy the beauty of the category.

It's too bad, somebody should tell them that it is like most other games.

It all comes down to the W.

[ April 14, 2011, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:18 am

I like difficult categories. It gives me something to work on and get good at while others complain. Same with batting average.

I do hate stolen bases. I'm no good at stolen bases.

Paul Gromek · Post by **Paul Gromek** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:19 am

what about the always unpredictable "bullpen win"? Kind of like finding 5 bucks in your jeans pocket.

Jose Valverde picked up two wins for his owners in two days

Navel Lint · Post by **Navel Lint** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 5:40 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Wins and saves are part of what sets fantasy baseball apart from fantasy football and fledgling fantasy sports. It MATTERS who wins the game.

These two sentences; a statement really, buried three quarters of the way into what some of the under-informed and unappreciative might see as just another ‘bla-bla’ post by Dan are the reasons I and many other continue to read what he writes. They sum up our game. It explains why a majority of us are baseball fans first and fantasy baseball fans second.

Dan,

I’m not the first to say this and in fact I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, thanks for keeping the message board going.

rockitsauce · Post by **rockitsauce** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:24 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

ducksnorted a ball for a run scoring double.

[/QB]ah, the old ducksnort....haven't heard that phrase since, uh....I've never heard that phrase!

I agree w/out Dan this MB would be FAR less entertaining!

viper · Post by **viper** » Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:08 am

Dan

For a variety of reasons, I do not have any NFBC teams this year. I'm just playing in my four local leagues. But I still read the message boards. And every time I get here, I looks for something by you. Please don't stop. It truly adds to my fantasy baseball experience.

Mike