The Top Ten: Week 13
Commentary: What a difference a week makes. In Week 11, only two franchises won $500. In Week 12, 13 of the 28 Funny Money franchises won at least $500. If you split your games or lost $500, you fell woefully behind this week. Babe and Bud Fox both won their wild card bets, but Bud was perfect for the week and Babe split. The playoff picture is murky out West, where we have a new leader and a group of four at the top. The wild card berths are up for grabs, with a gaggle of franchises on the bubble.
Before we get to The Top Ten this week, by popular demand, here are the franchises that still have their wild card bet available:
East: Karl Farbman; The People’s Champ; The Phoenix
North: Mr. DeBlasis; The Beard of Zeus; Yaz
South: Bayonnaise; Boss Hardigan; Don Mattingly; Rick Moranis; Will Cover
West: Gordon Bombay
Five weeks to go. Winter is coming.
(current total; last week’s ranking)
1. Karl Farbman ($2,800; 1)
Farbman keeps on rolling. He won all three of his bets last week and maintains his lead in the East and overall. With the league doing so well, he didn’t pull away, but didn’t let anyone catch up either.
2. Larisa Oleynik ($2,200; 3)
Larisa came back from a disappointing Week 11 to win $500 and stay atop of the North. She’s up by $800 on the rest of the division and only back $600 for the overall crown. Interesting that her two closest competitors in the North both still have their wild card bets.
3. Ron Mexico ($2,100; 4)
A big week for Ron as he wins $500 and takes over the lead in the West. Currently, he owns the tiebreaker (winning percentage) over Bud Fox. For now, he’s holding off the rest of the division and still has his sights set on the overall title.
4. Bud Fox ($2,100; 7)
The unorthodox $600-$200-$200 bet pays off for Bud Fox, as he wins all three and moves up the leaderboard. One or two more good weeks and the rookie will be a lock for the playoffs.
5. Blossom Russo ($2,000; 5)
Blossom throws her flowered hat into the mix in the West as well, winning $500 and just $100 back of the leader. She’s only $800 from the overall leader right now.
6. Gordon Bombay ($1,800; 2)
The good news is that Gordon won $100 in Week 12. The bad news is that the rest of his division excelled and he went from first to fourth. It’s worth noting that Gordon is the only franchise in the West that is yet to use his wild card bet. It might be too early to use this week, but he’s got it in his back pocket.
7. The Beard of Zeus ($1,400; 9)
The Beard won $500 and jumped back up to second in the North. He’s got a hold on one of the playoff berths if the season ended today, and still has his big bet on the shelf.
8. Yaz ($1,200; 6)
Yaz split his bets, but is still hanging around in the North. Historically (and given his age, there is a long history to reflect on) he thrives during the stretch run, so he’s definitely a dangerous franchise with five weeks left.
9. The Notorious A.B.T. ($1,200; 10)
A.B.T. bounced back and didn’t let Farbman get any farther away in the East. Notorious is still $1,600 behind, and would be the last man out if the playoffs started today. Week 13 will be crucial for his postseason chances.
10. The People’s Champ ($1,000; NR)
The Champ won $500 and stayed relevant in the East and in the playoff race. He’s still got his big bet left. Come on, Champ, get it over with. We all know it’s coming: $800 on the Giants this week.
Others receiving votes: Face; Will Cover; Babe; Waldo Geraldo Faldo
Dropped out: Will Cover
