Fantasy Baseball Weekly: A New Challenger Emerges
- Mitchell Hurtubise
- May 11
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
For weeks, it felt like Mike McClymont was in complete control of this league.
That’s no longer the case.
Heading into the heart of the schedule, the standings have shifted just enough to turn this into a full-blown race at the top. If the latest results are any indication, we’re in for a finish that won’t be predictable.
The Top Tier: A Three-Man Race Takes Shape
Mike McClymont still holds first place at 48-29-7 with ace Paul Skenes and sluggers Matt Olson and Kazuma Okamoto leading the charrge, but the margin is razor thin.
Right behind him at just half a game back is Josh Goodings, who may have delivered the most impressive performance of the season. A perfect 10-2-0 week vaulted him to 50-32-2, tying for the best win total in the league and sending a clear message: he’s not chasing anymore, he’s arriving.
Mitchell Hurtubise sits right alongside him at 49-31-4, also just 0.5 GB, after a dominant 8-3-1 week. Quietly, consistently, Hurtubise has built one of the most complete teams in the league and now finds himself firmly in the title hunt. Newly IL'd player Taj Bradley will be a loss to his formidable rotation. The rest of his arms will surely be able to bear the load.
And don’t forget Jason Fishpool.
At 46-29-9, just one game back, Fishpool posted a league-best 11-0-1 week. An absolute statement! If there was ever a warning shot to the rest of the league, that was it.
Four teams. One game separating them. This is what a playoff race is supposed to look like!
Falling Back, or Just Waiting? McLeod Slips
A few weeks ago, Dave McLeod looked like a lock near the top.
Now, at 44-37-3, he’s dropped to fifth and the gap is growing. A 2-10-0 week is the kind of stumble that can shift an entire season. The question now: is this a temporary dip, or the beginning of a slide?
Surging and Steady: Gerosavas Making a Push
Ty Gerosavas is quietly putting together one of the more interesting runs in the league.
Now sitting at 41-37-6, he’s climbed into sixth after a strong 10-2-0 week. He’s still 7.5 games back, but if the top tier starts trading blows, there’s room for a late push.
Percy Thomas (39-40-5) remains in the mix but hasn’t quite found consistency, going 7-3-2 last week was good, but not enough to close ground.
The Middle: Where Seasons Hang in the Balance
Andrew Westlaken (37-39-8) is in a tough spot. A brutal 0-11-1 week has him slipping to eighth, and suddenly, he’s looking up at a crowded middle tier.
Jarrod Culver (36-41-7) and Braeden Price (35-41-8) are right there, both trying to stay relevant as the standings tighten.
Meanwhile, Luke Todd (35-43-6) might be one of the most dangerous lower-seeded teams right now after a 9-2-1 week. If that momentum holds, he could disrupt plenty of playoff hopes.
Bottom of the Table: Still Swinging
The records may not show it, but there’s still fight here:
Tucker McSwain (30-46-8) continues to grind
Tyler Evans (32-49-3) is searching for consistency
Austin Patrick (25-53-6) sits in last, but a 7-4-1 week shows he’s far from checked out. he will be looking to manage his already underperforming pitching staff after losing back to back AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to the IL for at least a month.
These teams might not be in the title race but they will absolutely influence it.
Matchups of the Week: Where the Standings Could Flip
Mitchell Hurtubise (49-31-4) vs. Mike McClymont (48-29-7)
It doesn’t get bigger than this. Two of the top three, separated by fractions. First place could change hands depending on how this one plays out.
Josh Goodings (50-32-2) vs. Tucker McSwain (30-46-8)
On paper, this looks lopsided but Goodings is coming off a massive week. The challenge now? Back it up and keep your foot on the gas.
Jason Fishpool (46-29-9) vs. Percy Thomas (39-40-5)
Fishpool is red-hot after an 11-win week. Thomas is solid but inconsistent and dealing with a revolving door injured list with big hitters Addison Barger and Alejandro Kirk not contributing due to injuries. If Fishpool keeps rolling, he may leap into first.
Dave McLeod (44-37-3) vs. Luke Todd (35-43-6)
This one suddenly feels dangerous for McLeod. Todd is trending up, and McLeod is coming off a brutal week. Upset alert.
Ty Gerosavas (41-37-6) vs. Braeden Price (35-41-8)
A chance for Gerosavas to keep climbing. The team his coming into its own. And for Price, its a chance to prove he still belongs in the mix.
Final Word
The gap is gone.
What was once a comfortable lead for Mike McClymont is now a four-man battle at the top, with momentum swinging wildly week to week.
Goodings is surging. Hurtubise is steady. Fishpool is exploding. And McClymont? Still standing but feeling the heat with a big matchup this week agains 3rd place Mitchell Hurtubise.
With half a game separating the top three, every category, every win, every Sunday night stat correction suddenly matters a whole lot more.
Welcome to the stretch run!
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