Aces Only Association:

2025, Week 18

Written by Cory Puffett
Published July 27, 2025

For the 19th time in Aces Only history, we had no lucky winners or unlucky losers. The top four scoring teams all won their matchups, led by the three managers who have already locked up playoff spots: Rich, Stephen, and Cory Puffett.

That's not to say one manager won't leave Week 18 feeling a bit unlucky. Alex and Sam finished the week fourth and fifth in scoring, respectively. Not only that, the gap between them was miniscule.

Theirs was the 10th matchup in league history to be decided by one point or less, and it truly came down to the wire. Each manager had a shortstop and a relief pitcher in Sunday night's matchup between the Mets and Giants in Oracle Park. Willy Adames scored 0.80 points for Alex while Francisco Lindor cost Sam 0.45 points, and the matchup swung toward Alex, leaving Sam still locked in a tight battle for the AOA's final playoff spot.

Players of the Week

Catcher - Willson Contreras, 13.10 points (Rich Blorstad)

1st Baseman - Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 12.75 points (Sean Kennedy)

2nd Baseman - Ketel Marte, 5.70 points (Stephen April)

3rd Baseman - Matt Chapman, 11.90 points (Rich Blorstad)

Shortstop - Willy Adames, 10.75 points (Alex Mayo)

OF - Kyle Stowers, 10.35 points (Cory Puffett)

UTIL - Kyle Schwarber, 11.55 points (Sean Kennedy)

SP - Paul Skenes, 21.60 points (Eric Meyer)

RP - Edwin Diaz, 17.05 points (Cory Frontin)

Kyle Schwarber was the only repeat Player of the Week from Week 17, continuing his post-All Star Break hot streak.

Edwin Diaz had an incredible week, making four relief appearances in Cory Frontin's loss. His 17.05 points were the most any reliever has record in a week this season and only trails two non-starting pitcher: Pete Alonso scored 18.15 points for Eric in Week 11 and Cal Raleigh scored 17.15 for Stephen in Week 13. Overall, Diaz ranks 38th among all single-week performers in 2025.

Game of the Week: Rich Blorstad (111.30) vs Sean Kennedy (95.30)

All-time H2H: Rich leads series tied 4-3

Would it have made a difference if Sean had maxed out his pitcher starts as Rich did, and equaled his opponent with one more relief appearance? Perhaps. It’s hard to say, because the pitching gap was so extensive.

Rich earned 28 more points from his pitching staff than Sean did in this matchup, and it wasn’t just because of the volume. The gap in ERA was substantial, and though neither had a particularly good WHIP, the gap there was not small, either.

As a result, Sean’s squad blew an offensive advantage of nearly 12 points, leaving their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

Rich, meanwhile, becomes the 35th manager in AOA history to lead the league in scoring while winning the game of the week.

Rich's top scorer: Willson Contreras, 13.10 points (7 games)

Sean's top scorer: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 12.75 points (7 games)

Stephen April (105.35) vs Eric Meyer (79.65)

All-time H2H: Stephen leads series 6-1

Stephen's top scorer: Brandon Woodruff, 11.10 points (1 start)

Eric's top scorer: Paul Skenes, 21.60 points (2 starts)

Cory Frontin (87.00) vs Cory Puffett (101.60)

All-time H2H: Cory P leads series 16-2

Cory F's top scorer: Edwin Diaz, 17.05 points (4 relief appearances)

Cory P's top scorer: Cristopher Sanchez, 14.35 points (1 start)

Sam Martin (97.40) vs Alex Mayo (98.30)

All-time H2H: Sam leads series 12-2

Sam's top scorer: Maikel Garcia, 11.10 points (6 games)

Alex's top scorer: Willy Adames, 10.75 points (6 games)

We had no movement in this week's power rankings.

Cory Puffett leads the power rankings for an AOA-record 47th time.

Cory Frontin, meanwhile, is at the bottom of the power rankings for the 32nd time in his career.

Note: MLB issues stat corrections up to 7 days after games. These corrections will be applied to games, including those that have been completed, but these articles will not necessarily be updated with those stat corrections.

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