We’re entering the final two weeks of the fantasy league as we head towards the game’s conclusion on 30 September (the final day of the MLB regular season), at which point we’ll know the 2018 Fantasy Baseball UK champions of each of the Main, $5m and Limited Trade Games. There are also 30 divisional races to be won and one more Manager of the Month competition so dig in and get set for the finale! Scroll down for the August round-up from the game.
If you haven’t already, check out our post celebrating 15 seasons of Fantasy Baseball UK.
FBUK All-Star Team of the Month
Based on fantasy points accumulated, here’s the month’s top performers at each position:
* Austin Hedges and Yadier Molina (St. Louis Cardinals) scored the same number of points in August but Hedges did it in fewer games (24) than Molina (27).
Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez made his third appearance in an FBUK All-Star Team this season as he continues his bid for a rare MLB Triple Crown (winning the batting, home run and RBI titles). At the time of writing, Martinez is second in the Majors in batting average (.331) and home runs (41), and first overall in runs batted in (122).
Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz also earned his third FBUK All-Star spot of the season after adding another 10 saves in August to his season tally, which currently stands at 54. Diaz is nine away from setting a new record for most saves in a season (currently the record is 62, set by Los Angeles Angels’ Francisco Rodriquez in 2008). By reaching at least 50 saves, Diaz also won a bet with his manager, Scott Servais, that meant the Mariners skipper had to replicate Diaz’ distinctive haircut.
Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers) made his second consecutive appearance in the FBUK All-Star Team. As well as hitting .307 with 11 home runs during the month, Yelich went 6-for-6 and hit for the cycle on 30 August against the Cincinnati Reds. He also threw out a runner at home in the seventh inning to prevent the Reds tying the game.
Atlanta Braves rookie Ronald Acuna topped the fantasy points standings in August after amassing 252 points including a batting average of .336, on-base percentage of .405, 11 home runs, seven doubles and 21 RBI. As he is in his first season in the Majors, his fantasy league salary is still relatively low for a player having a strong season and so it is no wonder that he is on the rosters of nearly half the teams in the fantasy league (48%).
Fantasy Manager of the Month: September
It was double the pleasure for Wayne Mason in August, who not only won Manager of the Month with his fantasy team AZ Doublebacks but also had a second team, Multiple Scorgasms, finish as the third best team in terms of points earned between 1-31 August. That’s the first time a manager has had two teams in the top five in the Manager of the Month competition.
Fantasy league standings (top): up to 15 September
Three successive placings among the top five managers of the month from May to July saw Brian Hastie rise to the top of the Main Game standings with his team Boab’s Braves. Over the past month he has opened up a lead of close to 200 points over second placed Ludo Basse (Stantonomore).
In the $5m Game, Stuart Burnett (The 5 Million Dollar Men) remains in position for his first championship, although over the past month he has seen his lead reduced by around 100 points. Meanwhile, in the Limited Trade Game the gap between Keith Jeffery (Atlantic Crossing) and the rest of the pack has grown by about the same number of points. Both Stuart and Keith have led their respective leagues since April.
Thanks for playing, and good luck for the rest of the season!
Pretty delighted to win Manager of the Month for August. That’s the first time I’ve won that prize.
Keep up the good work, lads, your efforts result in FBUK being my favourite fantasy baseball site.
Glad to hear it, Wayne. Well done!