Nick G. has taken me to small claims court, over the improper use of "Weeknuts". Looking to avoid a lengthy legal (and physical) battle, I've opted to be the better man, and let him have his precious name. In return, he's promising a quarterly edition of Weeknuts. We'll see.
As for "The Weekly Wombat"...well, it's a weak name. I just haven't had time to think of something as perfect as "Weeknuts" and "High and Tight". High standards to live up to.
As for what's happening in the Wombat world, through 2 weeks we have a few undefeated teams - The MoonSchatz in the AL, and the Two Starts and Time Consumers in the NL. Tough luck has come to the Sitting Ducks on the other end, who are 11-2-1 in the breakdown, but ended up with a tie this week instead of the W.
Through 2 weeks the top rated players in each league according to CBS are:
AWL:
1. Blake Snell
2. Matt Shoemaker
3. Domingo Santana
4. Khris Davis
5. Jose Berrios
NWL:
1. Cody Bellinger
2. Anthony Rendon
3. German Marquez
4. Christian Yelich
5. Pete Alonso
Shoemaker and Santana are clearly playing the best ball of their life, and Alonso probably won't quite keep this up. That said, it's still an interesting look at season expectations vs. what has actually happened so far in the MLB season.
Dong of the Week:
LAUNCH ANGGGGLLEEE.
My god. I've likely said the same to all of you already, but look at that swing - it's smooth as hell AND violent. Pete Alonso's crushed splash ball was faster off the bat, and Juan Soto had his own monster dong this week, but I gotta go with my boy here.
Transaction of the Week:
4/14/19 1:16 PM ET
Tommy Johns: Kevin Gausman SP | ATL - Traded from Killer Pandas
Killer Pandas: Jesse Winker RF | CIN - Traded from Tommy Johns
1 for 1 swaps are rare in Wombat, and I like this one for both teams. Jon is somewhat selling high on Gausman, and buying low on Winker, who had a rough start before recently turning things around. In theory, sell high/buy low is always a great thing. Catch is it actually needs to keep up. Gausman in the NL has proven to be decent, to sometimes even good. For Nick G. it's a move that could really bolster his bench, and a good spot starter. If Winker lives up to his pre season potential, then Jon got a hell of an outfielder. I give this deal 5 out of 5 Wombats.
Weekly MVP's:
Tough choice in the AWL this week, with Austin Meadows, Blake Snell, Jose Altuve, and Roberto Osuna all making a strong case. I'm going with Meadows, as his team won, and Roberto Osuna is a trash human being. In the NWL, Cody Bellinger almost went back to back with this award, but I think Acuña has a better case here.
AWL:
Week 1: Mike Clevinger - Kingslayers - 12 INN, 2 HA, 4 BBI, 22 K, 0.500 WHIP, W
Week 2: Austin Meadows - Ham Sandwiches - 12-22, 0.545 BA, 2 2B, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 6 R, SB, 5 BB
NWL:
Week 1: Cody Bellinger - Time Consumers - 20-44, 0.455 BA, 2 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 17 R, SB, 3 BB, CS
Week 2: Ronald Acuña - Fuzzy Kiwis - 12-22, 0.545 BA, 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R, SB, 4 BB
Dan's Culture Recommendation of the Week:
I've decided to enlighten you philistines, with a weekly dose of culture. I'll be recommending movies, TV, food, books, travel locales, all of it. Being the renaissance man I am, no one else is better suited for the job. As for this week's recommendation - I'm going with American Vandal, a TV show centered around penis drawings and explosive diarrhea.
Netflix is the home of American Vandal, a two season series, each season lasting 8 episodes. Shot in the style of a mockumentary, it's an amazing look at high school, (young) millennial culture, and I'd even argue the justice system, in a lighter way at least. It's shocking how much depth there is to a show that literally is about finding out who did elaborate high school pranks. If you're not sold, at least check out the trailers.
Still unsure? Listen to what fellow GM Zach Bolton had to say about the show:
"It's easily the best show of the last decade. If Erica and I have another kid, we're naming it after one of the show's protagonist. Seriously. I actually said all of this."
*Zach didn't actually say any of this.
Games of the Week:
AWL: Moonschatz @ Kingslayers
The AWL's only undefeated team attempts to separate even more from the rest of the division. No word yet on Monday morning if Trout is likely to play this week or not, so Jon is going to need some big performances out of his remaining non-injured stars.
NWL: Fuzzy Kiwis @ Two Starts
These division rivals face off for the first time this year, right after some...intense...trade talks. Yeah, I'll use that word.
(Bran is an asshole)