OFF THE WALL
HALFWAY HOME
​​​​
The end of Week 14 marks the halfway point in the 2025 season. It is a good time to take stock of your team and plan out the stretch run.
​
Like any long regular season, baseball has its ebbs and flows. To help illustrate these changes, Full Slate has divided the season into quarters and created a chart to show where teams are at the close of Week 14, broken into the first quarter - Weeks 1-7 - an the second quarter - Weeks 8-14.
​
These charts have been posted on each league's web page.
In some cases, the order of standing has not changed much, in others it is clear to see that some teams have begun to heat up, while others have cooled down.
​
In the coming weeks, look for new charts showing the difference in standings from last season to this season.
​
Also look for the Big Board to return after Week 15 results have been posted.
​
Disclaimer - these charts have all been generated by hand. While every effort has been taken to ensure their accuracy, it is entirely possible that they contain errors.
ARSON SQUAD?
​​​
Over the years, MLB has had many names and monikers for the awards it handed out to the best relief pitchers each season.
Initially referred to as "Firemen" for "putting out fires"​​ and saving the game, to the Rolaids Relief Man for settling down the situation.​
​
But it's difficult remembering a season where so many of the "Firemen" actually fueled the fire rather than putting it out.
​
As Week 5 of the season draws to a close, here are some of the instigators, in no particular order. The first ERA shows their recent dominant seasons, and the second shows their 2025 ERA:
​
Edwin Diaz - 2.64 to 4.91
David Bednar - 2.25 to 5.40
Raisel Iglesias - 2.65 to 6.00
Ryan Walker - 2.48 to 6.52
Emmanuel Clase - 1.67 to 7.84
Devin Williams - 1.70 to 11.25
Jordan Romano - 2.063 to 13.50
​
This list represents nearly 1/4 of all the current closers.
​
While it doesn't mean that managers should jettison these guys for the next-in-line set-up guys, it does indicate that you should probably NOT be putting them at the top of your Relief Rotation until they show signs of turning things around.
​
But at the same time, you may want to be looking at the "closers in waiting" and elevating them in your bullpen.​