Contest - week three.

Alex Rodriguez, shown here on card number 19 of the 2002 MLB Showdown All-Star set, was the big bopper for Texas this week as the MLB Showdown team defeated the Mets 5-6. Alex went 2-for-5 with both hits being home runs. One point if you predicted the Showdown Rangers team to win.

The Strat-O-Matic game was once again a basic level game and was more of a pitcher's duel than the Showdown game. Tommy Hunter managed to out pitch Johan Santana as Texas pulled out a 2-0 win. Julio Borbon hit a pinch hit home run in the 8th inning to put the game on ice for the Rangers. One point if you predicted the Strat-O-Matic Rangers to win.

The MLB Showdown Rangers once again won the scoring battle. This time 5-2. One point if you predicted the Showdown Rangers to score more runs.

I am finding it interesting that the more I play Strat-O-Matic the simpler MLB Showdown seems. Not that Strat is complicated, I am still playing the basic level. More that Showdown lacks the detail that Strat has. For example, Frank Francisco closed out this week's win. He did commit an error though that allowed a base runner. That would never have happened in Showdown. I would rather have the possibility as it is more realistic and true to the actual game.

Ok, on to the next game. This week the Rangers will host the Phillies in Texas. Remember to get your guesses in early as to how you think the MLB Showdown and Strat-O-Matic Rangers will fare and which will score the most runs. This week will mark the midway point in the contest. Four more games to play after that. If you haven't been entering the contest now is the time to start.

For details on how this contest works please see this post.