WK 6; 6 Spots for the Show

After wrapping up week 5 we head into the final stretch of the season. 10 teams are fighting for just 6 spots and the heat is on. The Eastern Division is neck and neck currently while the Western Division is pretty much set unless DS decides to step up. Key matches to watch for this week are MC/BNR and PFN/SPS. The rest of the matches are sure to have some intense games but this week seems to be somewhat dull.

-TOP DOGS BUMP HEADS-

MC (5-0) vs BNR (3-2), Monday@7pm, Room: Rack 'em

Ben and James seem to be doing a great job. Ant of course makes them look like superb captains but even so there is more to MC than just the reigning co-MVP. Zach has come out of no where with an impressive 5-0 record, look to see Ant, Zach, and Conor to over-power a strong BNR team that just hasn't had the best of luck this season.

Dina has taken a lot of heat for last weeks match. She doesn't care how she gets a win as long as it's a win. She supports her teammates wholeheartedly and will do anything to get a win when she feels it is deserved. Players like Joe and Jordy need to be on their A-game this week. I just don't think BNR has a strong enough to to match the stars that MC has.
Outcome: 4-2 MC

-WHA WHA WHAT?-

PDZ (0-5) vs SS (3-2), Tuesday@6pm, Room: Sad

PDZ has pretty much written off this season. They would need to win out to even contemplate making the playoffs. I didn't think they would be in the hunt this season but I did think they would scrounge up at least 1 win. That being said I think everyone knows DJ has underachieved as a captain thus far. DJ, Drew, and the rest of the no-names need to get this ship turned around. It sure wont happen against a strong SS team, don't expect miracles here.

SS is reeling from a tough loss to BNR last week. There was a lot of controversy in their last game and that loss stung quite deep. I think SS licks their wounds here and they come out with a bang! Shelle will put a strong enough team together to prevail here.

Outcome: 5-1 SS

-THE WASH-

SP (0-5) vs FR (3-2), Tuesday@6:30pm, Room: Adv Lng 3

SP is another team like PDZ except losing is becoming the norm for them. SP is on a -15 streak, yes I said it correctly, this is SP's ultimate low. This team shows with a solid crew they just cant string 4 wins together. Old school players like Pete need to step up and carry this team. I doubt it will happen this week though, the losing streak will stay intact week 6.

FR shouldn't have a problem this week vs 1 of the worst teams in the league. FR took on the only undefeated team last week and obviously didn't succeed. Ant just cant be stopped, Petey turns this losing streak around this week and nudges his team in position for a future playoff run.
Outcome: 5-1 FR

-CROSS-CLASH-

PFN (3-2) vs SPS (3-2), Tuesday@7pm, Room: Bad Times

Kerry is doing a well enough job this season. Her team has big names this season but it seems like no one can turn it on at the same time. Trey moved over from MC last week so maybe he can rub some of their good luck off on PFN. EPC > SPS, I think Kerry is aware her team has a easier challenge this week. SPS can be deceiving though, they steal a game or two and this match could go to game 7. Kerry needs Jamie, Mina, and Kalpz to play their best here and the match should end quickly.

Heather has done a great job this season. Her team is in the hunt and could temporarily hold a playoff spot if they win tonight. MC defeated BNR which would give the edge to SPS if they win. The eclipses for SPS need to pull off wins like they did last week. I think SPS can do it if they match up properly, Kerry likes to play her strong early which leaves a huge crack in their armor late in the game.
Outcome: 4-2 PFN

-ARE THEY GAME?-

DS (1-4) vs EPC (4-1), Wednesday@7pm, Room: AFIC

DS won their first game last week which injects some excitement into this crew. They did lose a player last week to a non-report, that might put some pressure on Chele. I think if Chele can bring Ash or Corey to this match it could possibly go to 7 games. I think EPC is a very solid team that has proven they are a threat but their big two rarely show and Chele seems to be having trouble finding someone else on the squad to step up and take control. Is DS up for this match? are they game enough? Home field might help DS here but I don't think they have enough power.

Jack you are cruising to the playoffs at this rate. I don't think you are scared of this match-up at all. Players like Cam, Jester, Uriel, and Jack pose a huge threat to DS. Jack picked up 2 wins against MC in PRO which turned some heads and made me think twice about playing him. If I was DS I would be conceding now, just kidding! EPC needs to keep the pressure on DS and before game 5 is done this match could be over.
Outcome: 5-1 EPC

Wk 5: Halfway Point

What a wild season 3 in WSOP. Who knew MC would be 4-0 at this point in the season? Who thought Jack would field a team every week or how about EPC leading the West? Who suspected PFN would take over for XPL? Who predicted DS would be sitting at the bottom of the Western pack? and who would have thought SPS would be in the hunt at the halfway mark? All these things I surely didn't for-see but this is what makes WSOP great. You never know what's going to happen. Looking at this upcoming week there are quite a few good matches. EPC/PFN should pack quite a punch along with MC/FR. The last great match to watch would be SS/BNR, I am curious which teams win these 3 key matches. I recommend watching these games along with the other matches in week 5.

-WHO WANTS 1ST MORE?-

EPC (3-1) vs PFN (3-1), Monday@6pm, Room: Banditos

Jack has done a great job thus far this season. Key wins against PDZ, DS, and SP could inflate Jacks hopes in this match. I don't think Jack has faced a challenge like PFN yet. If you look back at last week FR was defeated by PFN. FR was the only team to beat Jack so if PFN beat FR, one could only conclude PFN will defeat EPC. Please note, Jack added Uriel after week 1 so that will surely be a factor in the final outcome against PFN. I believe that Uriel and home field is still not enough for Jack to beat Kerry.

PFN (formerly known as XPL) has handled most of their matches this season. PFN has only lost to the defending champs, SS. Kerry has a strong lineup through and through, I think that will be the X-factor. If Kerry losses this match it will put a big dent in her plans to take over the West. She will get a 2nd chance week 9 though which will be a far more interesting match later in the season. The team that wins this match will be sitting atop the Western Division WK 6.
Outcome: 4-2 PFN

-EAST'S BEASTS vs WEST'S BEST-

MC (4-0) vs FR (3-1), Monday@7:30pm, Room: Rack 'em

Ben seems to have taken over in MC solely the last couple weeks. Look to see something along those lines again this week. Ben has done a superb job running this team. Ant and the Nerd have done enough to be our last Season 3 undefeated team. I suspect MC is in for a challenge this week though, FR fell just short against PFN and I think Petey will have something to prove this week. I will have to tip my hat to MC though this week. MC has shown with 5 players have the time this season and still won their matches. That is a scary fact for FR especially if MC can bring a full lineup.

FR has done a great job this season. They are surely going to make the playoffs, yes I am calling it a slam dunk, after pathetic showings from SP and DS this season FR is a favorite here. I think Petey wants more than a playoff spot though. He wants to prove that Freedom is a threat to all the leagues in WSOP. Matt, Petey, Adam, and Travis are all superb players that will give MC a run for their money. I believe Dan will be the X-factor here though, he is 2-0 so far this season and Petey will need to lean on him early to get a key advantage. Maybe James, Trey, or Ben fail an early run and Dan mops up again like week 4. I wouldn't put it past FR to pull out a win here I just cant help but side with the 4-0 team.
Outcome: 4-2 MC

-BATTLE OF THE LOSERS-

DS (0-4) vs SP (0-4), Tuesday@6pm, Room: A Face In the Crowd

This match isn't relevant on any playoff implications but it will be intriguing to see which loser will get their first win this season in WSOP. DS has under performed all season partially because Corey hasn't been able to make very many matches as well as Ashton. These guys have some good players but they are not regularly in the lineup and that could cost them here. Chele just because you guys made it to finals last season I am giving you the nod, or could it be because SP is -14?

-14 you say? That is correct, SP is on a wicked down turn since joining WSOP last season. They badly need this victory and they deserve it, they just wont be getting it. I love how resilient SP is, they show with a full team every week they just aren't good enough to pickup 4 wins. 4 wins are clearly a lot harder than they look. Bev should look at MC's strategy and duplicate it, if only there were more Ants in this world.
Outcome: 4-2 DS

-EASTERN SHAKEDOWN-

SS (3-1) vs BNR (2-2), Wednesday@6pm, Room: All Mixed Up

Shelle has done a great job this season. The only defeat SS has suffered was against MC. I think SS takes the edge here. Jon, Nahn, Mike, and Nish all need big games here. I think SS has the potential to win but if you look at their list of players they have been spreading the games around to everyone. Jon has yet to pickup a win but the potential is always there. You have to respect SS, they are the defending champs. Home field could be enough to sway this in SS' favor.

Dina on the other hand has had a rocky season. Losing games to EPC and MC (both currently at the top of their respective divisions after WK 5 matches) could have put a dent in BNR's self esteem. Losing those same games just MIGHT have lit a fire under Dina's team. I think if her big boys play lights out Dina could win this match. Jim, Jordy, and Joe need to show here. This match is hard to gauge without knowing exactly who is going to show up. Like I have said previously I am giving the nod to the defending champs here but I wouldn't be surprised if BNR pulled this out and put the East in a possible 3-way tie for 2nd place.
Outcome: 4-3 SS

Wk 4: Time to Make a Move

I am very excited about this upcoming week. I suspect you have seen, but, if you haven't PFN is back in WSOP. PFN took XPL's spot after XPL died. Has that really changed the field? Not one bit, in inter leagues XPL has pretty much all the players PFN uses so I suspect Kerry will field the exact same team she ran with XPL. I just don't understand why she went to XPL in the first place all the players spent the time and energy to get eligible only to hop back to PFN, will that cause some tension in their ranks? We will find out this week. There are some interesting divisional matches Wk 4, PFN vs FR and SPS vs SS stand out the most to me. These teams are holding playoff spots 1/3rd of the way through the season and these outcomes could be crucial for the bottom dwellers.

-ONE SIDED-

MC (3-0) vs PDZ (0-3), Monday@7pm, Room: Rack'em

MC has been amazing so far this season. Ben and James have done a swell job captaining so far this season. The players they have just keep winning. I don't envy PDZ, this week they have big shoes to fill. This match will be fairly simple, MC starts off with a early lead and they win the match early. I just don't think PDZ has the firepower here. This is like the USA vs Jamaica, a bunch of stoners that will be punked around the whole match.

PDZ has put up a fight all season I will give them that much. they just haven't had things go their way yet. Could they win this week against MC? Yes, sure anyone can get lucky but will it happen? No, lets be practical here this is a 0-3 team going against an undefeated team with arguably one of the most clutch players in ypool currently. I would put my money on MC all night long.
Outcome: 5-1 MC

-CRUNCH TIME-

BNR (1-2) vs DS (0-3), Mon@7pm, Room: Welcome to the Jungle

BNR finally picked up a win last week. They are back on their horses running off to another playoff appearance, or are they? it's really to soon to tell where BNR will end up. I think if Dina can win this week she has a good shot at retaking a top 3 spot. I suspect a reshuffling after this week in the East. This cross-divisional clash has a lot of implications BNR needs Joe, Croz, and Jordy to play lights out.

DS has just been digging a deeper grave each week. They lost some key players last season and are feeling it now. IF DS cant get Corey involved more they likely will be having a lame duck season 3. Not one player on DS' lineup has a winning record besides Ash who hasn't been seen since week 1. DS needs someone to step-up, take control, and carry this team. This is crunch time, can you turn this season around?
Outcome: 4-2 BNR

-Under Achievers vs Over Achievers-

SP (0-3) vs EPC (2-1), Tuesday@6pm, Room: Adv Lounge 3

SP has been far from amazing and are currently on a -13 streak if you add up last season and this. Any sane man would not predict them to win this match. They haven't been horrible this season they just cant get a W. This isn't a surprise though because as stated before they seem to be really good at losing here in WSOP and not much else.

EPC shouldn't have a problem tonight. Jack should rock SP's socks off here. Cam, Uriel and company will handle SP. The only thing EPC needs to worry about is if they can or cant bring a full team. Jack will show with enough to handle SP. Lay the hammer down Jack, prove that your team is worth consideration in the playoffs.
Outcome: 4-2 EPC

-Eastern Showdown-

SPS (2-1) vs SS (2-1), Tuesday@7pm, Room: Sweet Jane

SPS ran by Heather has been superb all of this season. I think this clash will be close and there will be plenty of tension between the teams. Heather wants this game and I think she will have her team playing very carefully. This match will run down to the wire, I just don't know if SPS can hold up against SS' strength.

Shelle has Jon and company. This team is solid the only hiccup was against MC who turns out to be the same to SPS hiccuped against. This match will be an interesting indicator as to who is surely going to make the playoffs and who still might or might not miss out. SS has the upper hand at the moment. The records show a tie between these teams but I just think that the edge goes to SS.
Outcome: 4-2 SS

-Western Showdown-

PFN (2-1) vs FR (3-0), Wednesday@6pm, Room: Bad Times

Kerry might have been XPL at one point but she has always been PFN through and through. This team is scary, I wouldn't expect anything less than greatness when associating any team with PFN. They have made the playoffs every season since WSOP was established. I suspect she will have her normal XPL crew plus Brent possibly more. I am curious to see who Kerry decides to play against their Western Division foe. This will be 2 tough matches in a row for PFN. Could the loss to SS effect Kerry's strategies here? There are so many questions and not enough time for answers. Let's see how this match pans out I suspect it could go either way.

Petey took control of FR solely this season and look at the start he has. FR is sitting at the top looking down with a undefeated 3-0 record. The players Petey can call are limited but most are very good. Travis is a very solid shooter, Matt is good as well (it would be nice to see some kind of humbleness out of Matt), and you cant forget about Petey the captain who will not want to lose to PFN. There is a lot of history between these two teams and I am intrigued to see how Petey calls his players. I think home field for PFN will be the X-factor.
Outcome:4-3 XPL errr PFN

Wk 3: A cut above the rest...

I want to first off reflect on another great week in WSOP. There were some key matches I predicted wrong that have shaken things up a bit. The two matches in particular were EPC's thumping of PDZ and SPS' game 7 victory over BNR. I didn't think either of these teams had it in them but Jack and Heather proved me wrong. After week 2 we have separated 4 big dogs from the rest. The 4 I am speaking of are MC, SPS, FR, and XPL. XPL has looked very strong thus far and I suspect it to continue. FR has also been playing pretty well, they had a rough time showing week 1 but I think if we give Petey enough time he will prove it was a fluke. MC is another solid team that most likely will take the East this season if they keep doing what they are doing. The final team in the top 4 is SPS, Heather has put together a team that somehow some way pulls off wins. They don't have any big names but SPS has proven through 2 games they don't need big names. Looking ahead to week 3 there are some key matches one of which being SPS vs MC. Look out for a good clash between SS and XPL as well, followed up by an interesting match between SP and FR. There are some more matches obviously, those listed above are ones I feel to be the best match ups in week 3.

-EASTERN BUMS-

PDZ (0-2) vs BNR (0-2), Monday@7pm, Room: And Far Away

Both of these teams have yet to meet their expectations this season. I say this because neither have picked up a win. PDZ has had two rough weeks in a row. DJ just doesn't have a team strong enough to contend with the competition in WSOP. His team looked good until the 3rd game of week 1, that's when they jumped on the losing wagon. I hope PDZ turns this around and fast. DJ crack the whip brother, get your players on form. BNR is packed with weapons so come up with a game plan here don't poke and hope.

BNR is a complete and utter disappointment thus far this season. They could have won week 2. One could even say they should have won but played below their normal level. SPS does have a solid team, don't get me wrong but with the names BNR brings to the table they should not have lost. Joe needs to win those tiebreakers, look to see him rebound strong this week. I suspect all of BNR will rebound here. I am going to give the nod to BNR another week in a row, don't do me wrong.
Outcome: 4-2 BNR

-CROSS-CLASH-

SS (1-1) vs XPL (2-0), Tuesday@7pm, Room: All Mixed Up

Shelle was put in her place last week against MC but will it happen again this week? SS needs great games from Dave, Jon, and Jason. Dave has played solid so far this season and will surely need to continue that this week against XPL. SS has an above-average team that will hold their own with any league. Shelle proved last week that SS wont go down without a fight. SS was in their MC match til the game 6 loss. The key here is how well SS does early. XPL starts out strong and finishes weak so IF Shelle can get some early wins it might be enough to carry her through this week.

Kerry you seem to bring winners to the table every season. How do you get them to flock to you? I suppose we will never know that answer. I wish I knew her tricks, I have always wanted to be a winner :). Note that even though Shelle has home field I am still favoring XPL here. XPL has one more victory this season and they also have players like Jamie, Brian, Mina, and Jeremy. IF I was SS I would throw in the towel now, save the humiliation for someone else... jk. This will be the match of the week solely on the quality of players both teams bring to this match up.
Outcome: 4-3 XPL

-FORMIDABLE FOES VS
LAST SEASONS CINDERELLAS-

EPC (1-1) vs DS (0-2), Wed@6:30pm, Room: Banditos

EPC is right on track after a XPL loss this week. IF they can pickup a win here they will take the early season edge on XPL. Looking back on EPC's schedule you can see they haven't had to play much competition but this week will be a change. DS hasn't put up a W but Chele and Chuck surely have to turn things around at some point. Jack needs to take the early lead and with players like Cam and Uriel to close Jack's EPC team is a formidable foe.

Chele your team needs to get their ducks in a row. After 2 very tough defeats DS is sitting in the gutter with no where to turn. Last season was a Cinderella story but this season has started off quite differently. I am very curious to see who plays. Corey needs to be here if they want to have a shot. DS needs amazing games from James, Chuck, and Roy. Those 3 guys have underperformed right out of the gates and if they don't start picking up wins this team is going to have their worst record to date in WSOP.
Outcome: 4-2 EPC

-UNDEFEATED-

SPS (2-0) vs MC (2-0), Thursday@7pm, Room: Sweet Jane

This is hands down the match of the week. I know I will speak for everyone when I say that no one would have expected SPS to start season 2 off with two solid wins. They haven't played the teams MC has but you cant count SPS out after two solid victories. I suspect this match to go to game 6 before we know the victor. Heather needs to keep up her great captaining, she has called her players at just the right moments and they haven't let her down. IF Heather wants to win this match she needs b.soccer to keep up his MVP tear.

I knew that no one expected SPS to be sharing the top spot after week 2 but everyone should have expected MC to be. They won against BNR (the same team SPS beat in a extra game) and SS who are the defending champs. That being said I think that MC has the advantage here. Ant and Saf will be the X-factors here. They are both on fire in WSOP and if they keep up t heir winning ways MC could be the defending champs next season, lets hope I jinxed them lol.
Outcome: 4-2 MC