LOOKING AHEAD

I have won my second FNFT Championship.  I am happy.  When this thing started back in 1986, had I known it would survive for this long, I would have guessed I'd have ten of these by now.  But I have two.  Oh well.  And as happy as I am to have them, I'd give them back in an instant if I could know that FNFT was going to be around long enough for me to win another two - at the same pace I've won the first two.

I sincerely hope that everyone will be back to play FNFT next year.  Despite my failings as a fantasy football commissioner, my love for my role as FNFT Commissioner has never been greater.  2011 will mark the 25th season of FNFT.  Think about that.  Every year my goal is to make FNFT better than it was the year before.  I think - if things work the way I'm hoping - next year will be no exception.

I've had an idea swimming around in my head which I have told a couple of people about.  I'm going to unveil it to everyone right now.  To celebrate our silver anniversary, 2011 will be the creation of the:

FNFT Hall of Fame

We play the games just like real baseball does.  Now we will have a Hall of Fame just like real baseball does.

Before the draft next spring, I will distribute the detailed rules and initial FNFT Hall of Fame ballot.  We will vote on which players from the FNFT era are most deserving of induction.  Over the course of next season, I will write a thoroughly researched bio for each of the inductees in my typical grammatically imperfect and sometime humorous fashion and reveal them one-by-one as the season goes on.  They will live in infamy in a special section of the FNFT website and will also have a permanent physical display in bobblehead form which I will dust off for each draft.

We will have different rules for our Hall of Fame - because we can.  In order for a player to be inducted, he must be retired from Major League Baseball (no 5-year waiting period), have appeared on an FNFT roster at some point in his career and played a significant role in the league - however you, as a voter, want to define that.

The class of 2011 will include only three players and we will add one per year thereafter.  This will be a very exclusive club.  I will describe the voting and selection process sometime during the off-season. Voting will be done through secret ballot at the draft.  Be thinking of who you might vote for.

Speaking of the draft, Major League Baseball has altered their schedule for next season.  Opening Day is Thursday, March 31st,  which is actually kind of convenient for us.  That puts the date of the FNFT draft as

Saturday, March 26th, 2011

Let's go with that.

The FNFT website will be open for business all off-season as the baseball season never ends for me.  I will keep the 2010 stats updated and posted up until the draft.  I will also be working on some long planned enhancements to the FNFT roster system and History section of the website.

It has once again been my extreme pleasure serving you as Commissioner.  See you next season.

Tief

TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE - GAME 4

You know, I really need to wrap this thing up because I'm going to be up musky fishing this weekend.  Plus, I'm being distracted trying to keep my fantasy football team from winning a game.

Anyway, here are tonight's early returns:

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Buchholz	Bos	13	6th inning
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	7	6th inning
1B	AGonzalez	SD	0	late
2B	Kinsler	Tex	0	late
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	late
3B	Arod	NYY	2	6th inning
OF	Granderson	NYY	3	6th inning
OF	Cuddyer	Min	0	6th inning
OF	Matsui	LAA	0	late
DH	Davis	NYM	2	8th inning
			27
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	Scherzer	Ari	0	Wednesday
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0
C	McCann	Atl	0	6th inning
1B	Cabrera	Det	8	6th inning
2B	Raburn	Det	8	6th inning
SS	Infante	Atl	1	6th inning
3B	Zimmerman	Was	2	7th inning
OF	Werth	Phi	13	6th inning
OF	Markakis	Bal	0	6th inning
OF	Morrison	Fla	2	8th inning
DH	Dunn	Was	1	7th inning
			35

900pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Buchholz	Bos	15	done - could get L
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	7	8th inning
1B	AGonzalez	SD	0	late
2B	Kinsler	Tex	0	late
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	late
3B	Arod	NYY	4	8th inning
OF	Granderson	NYY	3	8th inning
OF	Cuddyer	Min	0	6th inning
OF	Matsui	LAA	0	late
DH	Davis	NYM	2	Final
			31
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	Scherzer	Ari	0	Wednesday
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0
RP3	Gregg	Tor	0
C	McCann	Atl	2	8th inning
1B	Cabrera	Det	9	9th inning
2B	Raburn	Det	8	9th inning
SS	Infante	Atl	1	8th inning
3B	Zimmerman	Was	2	8th inning
OF	Werth	Phi	16	8th inning
OF	Crisp	Oak	0	Did not start
OF	Morrison	Fla	2	Final
DH	Dunn	Was	3	8th inning
			43

I had Markakis in my S/L originally.  It should have been Crisp.

100pm

Last update tonight...

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Buchholz	Bos	15	Final
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	7	Final
1B	AGonzalez	SD	4	3rd inning
2B	Kinsler	Tex	0	4th inning
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	4th inning
3B	Arod	NYY	4	Final
OF	Granderson	NYY	3	Final
OF	Cuddyer	Min	0	8th inning
OF	Matsui	LAA	1	4th inning
DH	Davis	NYM	2	Final
			36
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	Scherzer	Ari	0	Wednesday
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0	DNP
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0	DNP
RP3	Gregg	Tor	0	3 - Final
C	McCann	Atl	2	FInal
1B	Cabrera	Det	9	Final
2B	Raburn	Det	8	Final
SS	Infante	Atl	1	Final
3B	Zimmerman	Was	5	Final
OF	Werth	Phi	16	Final
OF	Crisp	Oak	0	Did not start
OF	Morrison	Fla	2	Final
DH	Dunn	Was	7	Final
			50

TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE

This is likely to be a very long post.  FNFT World Series baseball and election returns on the same night.  A good night to stay home.  Here we go...

630pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Wainwright	StL	0	7pm
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	0	Not starting
1B	AGonzalez	SD	0	930pm
2B	Kinsler	Tex	0	9pm
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	9pm
3B	Arod	NYY	0	0/1
OF	Granderson	NYY	2	1/1 2b
OF	Cuddyer	Min	0	Not starting
OF	Matsui	LAA	0	0/1
DH	Peralta	Det	0	7pm
			2
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	DHudson	Ari	4	1IP K
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0
RP3	Gregg	Tor	0
C	McCann	Atl	0	0/1
1B	Cabrera	Det	0	9pm
2B	Raburn	Det	0	9pm
SS	Infante	Atl	0	0/1
3B	Zimmerman	Was	0	0/0
OF	Werth	Phi	0	0/0
OF	Markakis	Bal	1	1/1
OF	Morrison	Fla	0	0/0
DH	Dunn	Was	0	0/0
			5

I'll try to post a similar update every 15 minutes or so and interject BS whenever I feel it appropriate.

Reports say Posada has a routine night off and will return to the lineup tomorrow (unless, of course, he's needed for a pinch hit strikeout later tonight.)

Michael Cuddyer is not in the starting lineup for the Twins despite hitting .467 with 5 HR and 12 RBI against the White Sox starting pitcher, Danks.  Don't know what's up with that.

Cuddyer is in fact playing.  (Thank you Twitter.)  At first base - that's why I didn't see him on the list.  Male pattern blindness.

No way I can do an update every 15 minutes.  It takes almost that long to fill out the stupid thing.

655pm

ADAM DUNN!!!  Two-run jack!  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout baby.

700pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Wainwright	StL	0	7pm
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	0	Not starting
1B	AGonzalez	SD	0	930pm
2B	Kinsler	Tex	0	9pm
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	9pm
3B	Arod	NYY	0	0/1
OF	Granderson	NYY	2	1/1 2b
OF	Cuddyer	Min	0	7pm
OF	Matsui	LAA	0	0/1
DH	Peralta	Det	0	7pm
			2
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	DHudson	Ari	8	2.2IP 2H 2K
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0
RP3	Gregg	Tor	0
C	McCann	Atl	0	0/1
1B	Cabrera	Det	0	9pm
2B	Raburn	Det	0	9pm
SS	Infante	Atl	0	0/1
3B	Zimmerman	Was	2	1/1 R
OF	Werth	Phi	1	0/0 BB
OF	Markakis	Bal	1	1/1
OF	Morrison	Fla	0	0/1
DH	Dunn	Was	10	1/1 R 2RBI HR
			22

Travis Wood has given up 2 runs through 3 innings. Looks like I picked the right pitcher.

I had the wrong start time for Detroit - game starts at 7.

Hudson is having a shakey 4th inning - 2 on 1 out.

725pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Wainwright	StL	0	7pm
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	0	Not starting
1B	AGonzalez	SD	0	930pm
2B	Kinsler	Tex	0	0/0
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	0/0
3B	Arod	NYY	4	1/2 R RBI
OF	Granderson	NYY	5	2/2 R 2-2b
OF	Cuddyer	Min	0	0/1
OF	Matsui	LAA	0	0/2
DH	Peralta	Det	0	0/0
			9
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	DHudson	Ari	11	4IP 3H BB 3K
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0
RP3	Gregg	Tor	0
C	McCann	Atl	1	1/2
1B	Cabrera	Det	0	0/1
2B	Raburn	Det	1	0/0 BB
SS	Infante	Atl	0	0/1
3B	Zimmerman	Was	3	2/2 R
OF	Werth	Phi	1	0/0 BB
OF	Markakis	Bal	1	1/2
OF	Morrison	Fla	1	0/1 R
DH	Dunn	Was	11	2/2 R 2RBI HR
			30

John is starting to get a little somthing going but I'm holding at about a 20 point lead.

Sucks about Ryan Grant, hey?

Wainwright 2 Ks in the 1st inning.

NICKY MARKAKIS - YARD!!!

Hudson is lights out - 2 more Ks.

ARod goes deep.

745pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Wainwright	StL	7	1.2IP H BB 4K
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	0	Not starting
1B	AGonzalez	SD	0	930pm
2B	Kinsler	Tex	0	0/0
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	0/1
3B	Arod	NYY	13	2/3 2R 2RBI HR
OF	Granderson	NYY	5	2/3 R 2-2b
OF	Cuddyer	Min	0	0/1
OF	Matsui	LAA	2	1/3 2b
DH	Peralta	Det	0	0/0
			27
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	DHudson	Ari	15	5IP 4H BB 5K
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0
RP3	Gregg	Tor	0
C	McCann	Atl	1	1/2
1B	Cabrera	Det	0	0/1
2B	Raburn	Det	1	0/0 BB
SS	Infante	Atl	0	0/2
3B	Zimmerman	Was	3	2/3 R
OF	Werth	Phi	1	0/1 BB
OF	Markakis	Bal	9	2/3 R RBI HR
OF	Morrison	Fla	1	0/2 R
DH	Dunn	Was	12	2/2 R 2RBI HR BB
			43

My niece just called.  She's working on some sort of school project and needed the starting lineup from Game 7 of the 1955 World Series.  She said she looked on line for over a half hour and could find it.  Then she figured she'd call me.  (Wonder why.)  I had it on my screen before she finished telling me what she needed.

The Dodgers beat the Yankees in the game 2-0.  Johnny Podres threw a shutout and Gil Hodges drove in both runs for The Bums.

800pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Wainwright	StL	4	3IP 3H 3ER BB 5K
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	0	Not starting
1B	AGonzalez	SD	0	0/1
2B	Kinsler	Tex	1	0/0 BB
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	0/1
3B	Arod	NYY	13	2/3 2R 2RBI HR
OF	Granderson	NYY	5	2/3 R 2-2b
OF	Cuddyer	Min	0	0/1
OF	Matsui	LAA	2	1/3 2b
DH	Peralta	Det	0	0/0
			25
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	DHudson	Ari	19	6IP 4H BB 6K
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0
RP3	Gregg	Tor	0
C	McCann	Atl	2	2/3
1B	Cabrera	Det	0	0/1
2B	Raburn	Det	1	0/0 BB
SS	Infante	Atl	0	0/3
3B	Zimmerman	Was	3	2/3 R
OF	Werth	Phi	1	0/1 BB
OF	Markakis	Bal	9	2/3 R RBI HR
OF	Morrison	Fla	1	0/2 R
DH	Dunn	Was	12	2/2 R 2RBI HR BB
			48

Hudson 1-2-3 in the 7th with 2 more Ks.

With 0.2% of precincts reporting, Ron Johnson has 78% of the vote for the GOP Senate primary.  He will win in a slaughter.

Walker up 54-42.

Wainwright has given up 5 runs on 9 hits - still in the 4th inning.  The night is going well.

Another 1-2-3 for Hudson.

830pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Wainwright	StL	-1	4IP 9H 5ER BB 7K
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	0	Not starting
1B	AGonzalez	SD	1	0/1 BB
2B	Kinsler	Tex	1	0/0 BB
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	0/1
3B	Arod	NYY	13	2/3 2R 2RBI HR
OF	Granderson	NYY	6	2/3 R 2-2b BB
OF	Cuddyer	Min	2	1/2 2b
OF	Matsui	LAA	2	1/3 2b
DH	Peralta	Det	1	0/1 RBI
			25
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	DHudson	Ari	27	8IP 4H BB 8K
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0
RP3	Gregg	Tor	0
C	McCann	Atl	2	2/3
1B	Cabrera	Det	0	0/2
2B	Raburn	Det	2	0/0 R BB
SS	Infante	Atl	0	0/3
3B	Zimmerman	Was	3	2/4 R
OF	Werth	Phi	2	0/2 RBI BB
OF	Markakis	Bal	9	2/4 R RBI HR
OF	Morrison	Fla	1	0/2 R
DH	Dunn	Was	12	2/2 R 2RBI HR BB
			58

Jake just emailed and asked for another invite to the fantasy football league. Did that. I AM HOPPIN' TONIGHT.

Hudson is done.  Reds have 2 on in 9th.  AZ up 3-0 - need to hold on so Hudson gets the W.

Fuck the D-Bags bullpen.

OK - great catch by Upton to finish the game.  Hudson finishes with 32 points.

Wainwright settling in.

Walker-Neumann race is zig-zagging between even and Walker up 10.  It's closer than I thought it would be.

I just killed a centipede.

Wainwright still pitching into the 8th.

920pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Wainwright	StL	8	Final (assuming L)
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	0	Not starting
1B	AGonzalez	SD	1	0/2 BB
2B	Kinsler	Tex	3	0/0 R 2BB
SS	Andrus	Tex	0	0/3
3B	Arod	NYY	13	2/4 2R 2RBI HR
OF	Granderson	NYY	7	2/4 2R 2-2b BB
OF	Cuddyer	Min	2	1/3 2b
OF	Matsui	LAA	3	Final
DH	Peralta	Det	1	0/1 RBI
			38
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	DHudson	Ari	32	Final
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0	dnp
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0
RP3	Gregg	Tor	0
C	McCann	Atl	2	Final
1B	Cabrera	Det	0	0/3
2B	Raburn	Det	2	0/0 R BB
SS	Infante	Atl	0	Final
3B	Zimmerman	Was	4	Final
OF	Werth	Phi	2	0/2 RBI BB
OF	Markakis	Bal	9	2/5 R RBI HR
OF	Morrison	Fla	3	1/3 R BB
DH	Dunn	Was	12	Final
			66

I don't see any way John wins this.

They just showed Jim Sundberg in the stands at the Rangers game. Holy fucking shit. The guy weighs about 300 pounds. He was stuffing his puss full of popcorn.

Walker up 52-45.

All these games are going slow.  It seems like Detroit and Texas have been playing for four hours.  Same for the Twins and Sox.

950pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Wainwright	StL	8	Final
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	0	Not starting
1B	AGonzalez	SD	1	0/3 BB
2B	Kinsler	Tex	7	1/2 R RBI 2BB
SS	Andrus	Tex	2	1/4 R
3B	Arod	NYY	13	2/5 2R 2RBI HR
OF	Granderson	NYY	7	2/5 2R 2-2b BB
OF	Cuddyer	Min	2	1/4 2b
OF	Matsui	LAA	3	Final
DH	Peralta	Det	1	0/3 RBI
			44
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	DHudson	Ari	32	Final
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0	dnp
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0	(4 - Final)
C	McCann	Atl	2	Final
1B	Cabrera	Det	0	0/4
2B	Raburn	Det	2	0/2 R BB
SS	Infante	Atl	0	Final
3B	Zimmerman	Was	4	Final
OF	Werth	Phi	2	Final
OF	Markakis	Bal	9	Final
OF	Morrison	Fla	3	Final
DH	Dunn	Was	12	Final
			66

Yankees win.  Yankees wins. Th-uuuuuuuuuuuh, YANKEES WIN!  10-innings.  Carl Crawford is thrown out trying to tag up from 2B and go to 3B to end the game.  What a butt-head.

Walker wins. Walker wins. Sc-aaaaaaaht WALKER WINS!

Wow - totally missed this!  Jorge Posada did play.  And hit a pinch hit home run the motherfucker.  That tightens things up quite a bit.  I'll have another update as soon as the Twins-Sox game is over.  Or maybe when the Tigers game is over.

J.J. Hardy was the player of the game in the Twins game according to the broadcast team.

Tigers-Rangers game is in the 9th.  Peralta batting.

1020pm

JOHN - ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?
SP	Wainwright	StL	8	Final
RP1	Wilson	SF	0
RP2	Capps	Min	0	dnp
RP3	Aardsma	Sea	0
C	Posada	NYY	8	Final
1B	AGonzalez	SD	1	0/3 BB
2B	Kinsler	Tex	8	Final
SS	Andrus	Tex	4	Final
3B	Arod	NYY	13	Final
OF	Granderson	NYY	7	Final
OF	Cuddyer	Min	2	Final
OF	Matsui	LAA	3	Final
DH	Peralta	Det	1	Final
			55
TIEF - CHIEF BENDERS
SP	DHudson	Ari	32	Final
RP1	Wagner	Atl	0	dnp
RP2	Lyon	Hou	0	(4 - Final)
C	McCann	Atl	2	Final
1B	Cabrera	Det	0	Final
2B	Raburn	Det	2	Final
SS	Infante	Atl	0	Final
3B	Zimmerman	Was	4	Final
OF	Werth	Phi	2	Final
OF	Markakis	Bal	9	Final
OF	Morrison	Fla	3	Final
DH	Dunn	Was	12	Final
			66

Adrian Gonzalez will be up to bat in a couple of minutes - his last AB.

He's being walked intentionally.

OK, I think I'll wrap it up.  Gonzalez gets another point so it's Tief 66, John 56.  We each get a RP - that's it (unless the Padres game goes extras and Gonzalez bats again).  I'm not going to wait up to see if Wilson or Aardsma go later tonight.  I get 4 from Lyon if Wagner doesn't pitch.  It ain't over, but I like where I'm sittin'.

Scott Walker wins.

Ron Johnson wins.

Tief probably wins.

It's a...

Good Night!

SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE

I know.  I'm supposed to be entering the football rosters instead of this.  I'll get to it.

855pm
So, Max Scherzer gets lit up in the 6th inning and finishes with a grand total of 2 points.  He could still get the win which would give him 5.  The score right now is Tief 45, John 37.  It will be 48-37 if Detroit hangs on for the win.  King Felix takes the mound in just a few minutes.

1030pm
Alright - I've got all of the football rosters entered.  I've also got Game 1 of the World Series in the bag (probably).  Detroit wound up losing their game so Scherzer finishes with only 2 points.  But - King Felix only gets 4 points and could drop to 2 if he gets the loss.  That puts the score at Tief 45, John 41 and maybe 45-39.  Unless Josh Hamilton comes off the bench to do some damage, I've got Game 1.

WEEKEND UPDATE

I just want to be sure that everyone understands the playoff schedule for this weekend.  There are two games - one spanning Friday and Saturday, and the other spanning Sunday and Monday.  All Major League teams are scheduled to play all four days.  You can have separate lineups for the two games and make a separate pickup for each of the two games.  I will post a notice on the website when you can start making lineup changes for the Sunday game - probably when I get home from work on Friday.

John leads his series with Avery 2 - 0.  He has his ace Adam Wainwright pitching Friday night against the Reds.  All of Avery's healthy pitchers pitched on either Tuesday or Wednesday.  He does not currently have a pitcher for Friday.  Is Chris Smith available?

Hicks and I are tied 1 - 1.  Hicks will get Roy Halliday on Saturday.  I will probably choose Daniel Hudson of Arizona, although I'm still studying the issue.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE

700pm - Just finished a bowl of homemade apple sauce.  Max Scherzer is bout to take the mound.  I'm in the playoffs.  I love fall.

705pm - Set up the important game first:
Hicks - 42.  Only two players to watch.  B Molina is starting.  Also get Papelbon or +5 from Lidge.
Tief - 27.  Max Scherzer is about to get going; got it on MLB-TV.  McCann (ATL) is starting and is 0-for-1.  Also get Wagner (ATL), Gregg (TOR), or +9 from Venters.
Won't know about any of the RPs until later.

710pm - Detroit is playing in Minnesota (where it is not snowing, by the way) so Tigers bat first.

730pm - Scherzer is ON.  2 IP, 3 K, the rest eggs.  19 pitches - 16 or them for strikes.  This is going well.

735pm - In the other game, Angel Pagan is not in the lineup for the Mets and Avery.  Injury report says he has a strained wrist and is day-to-day.  Avery need to make up a 62 point deficit.  Even if Jimenez throws a no-hitter, it may not be enough.

745pm - Brian McCann is sucking.  0-for-2 with a HBP. Molina is 0-for-1 so no damage there.  Another K for Scherzer.

750pm - First base runner off Scherzer is J.J. Hardy who reaches on an error by the RF; otherwise he strikes out the side.  3IP, 6K - 15 points.  Brings me to 42 and in a virtual tie with Hicks.

755pm - Still nothing from either catcher.  Tigers aren't getting Scherzer any runs.  Game is still 0-0.

800pm - The grass in Target Field almost looks like artificial turf.  Must be that snow pack that keeps it so nice.

810pm - 3up3down for Scherzer.  No-hitter through 4.

820pm - Atlanta is leading 4-0 in the 8th.  Wondering if Wagner will get in.  I hope not.  Baldy is underway in SFO.  Can't watch that - got to watch Max.

Double by Delmon Young breaks up Scherzer's no-hitter.  I knew that would happen.

Another hit.  First and third - no outs.

Awesome catch by Austin Jackson in CF.  Doubles runner off first, but a run scores.

Another great catch - inning over.  Scherzer 19 pts.  Tief 46, Hicks 42.

830pm - The game in SFO is Jimenez against Lincecum.  Wow - I didn't realize that.  Jimenez gave up nothing in the 1st.

835pm - Billy Wagner is in the game for the Braves in a save situation.  MLB.TV is in 4 games at once mode.  Wagner gets a ground out.

840pm - McCann picked up a walk and Wagner a save.  I get the 9 points from my reliever anyway.  [Check Scherzer...]  Scherzer with 19 but could get the loss.  6 IP - I'm sure he'll be back out for the 7th.  Let's see... that puts me at 56.  A 14 point lead.  I still need Scherzer to finish clean.

845pm - Jimenez 2 IP, 2 K.

850pm - Just realized that Jerry Hairston did not play for John.  His 87 will stand at that.

855pm - Scherzer 1 hit, 1 K in 7th.  Tief 59, Hicks 42.

Jimenez 3 IP, 4 K.

900pm - A guy on COL just hit a home run so Jimenez is covered for the win if he... you know... keeps going like he is.

905pm - Still waiting to see if Papelbon gets int he game for Hicks.  Boston is up by 4 in the 8th.

Just heard on the Royals broadcast that Jason Kendall will need surgery for a torn rotator cuff and will likely miss all of next season.

910pm - Jimenez 4 IP, 6 K.

Still watching the Texas game.  Molina will get one more AB for Hicks.

Ryan Franklin pitched for Avery and got only 1 point.  He needs Valverde to go.  Detroit is down 1 in the 8th with a guy on first and no outs.

915pm - Jimenez has given up a base hit.  The no-hitter is gone, as probably are Avery's chances to beat John.

925pm - Jimenez has given up a walk and another hit which scored a run.  It's over.  John will win Game 2 and take a 2-0 series lead.

Meanwhile...
Scherzer 8 3 1 1 1 9 = 27 pts.  Tief 64, Hicks 42

930pm - Papelbon is in for Hicks.  This is his only chance.  It is a save situation, but even if he strikes out the side, that's only 15.  It would leave Hicks 7 points back.  Things are looking good in Tiefville.

935pm - In the Boston game, the home plate ump got hit with a foul ball square in the nuts.  He's down.

He's walking off the field with help but had to stop a couple of times to catch his balance.

940pm - Wow.  Scherzer is out for the 9th.  Game tied 1-1.  First guy grounded out.  Second guy grounded out.  Thome in to PH.

945pm - Thome singles and Mauer flies out.  3 more points for Scherzer, plus 2 for the RQS.  Meanwhile, Papelbon got the save but only 1 K.  10 points by my count.  Tief 67, Hicks 52.  Benji Molina was out in the 8th for Texas.  He's all Hicks has left.  I suppose the game could go to extra innings and he'd bat again, but even if he did and hit a grand slam, I'd still have this one in the bag.

I'm shutting her down.  Good night.