Monday, February 28, 2005
Monday Night
Breakers Alley @ Break and Run - Yes the Breakers Battle Royal...except if I remember right this is the first time they've ever met, and barring some miracle the only time redhot will captain against them, he's considerring giving it up as captain after this season. Also after my little "analysis" of BNR's lineup, well red changed it up just to spite me. Bad move early though.
Game 1: BA_soccer_punk36 vs. BNR_capwhanda - That's right, not badalnighter this time around. Typical back n forth game really let's just fast forward to the end cuz I dunno if I have school tomorrow...or actually today and it's 1:40 A freakin M. Blah. capwhanda gives soccer ball in hand, which is illegal in soccer, 3 solids left, makes the first 2 easily, the third...hits the right lip of the bottom middle.....GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! OK enough soccer references. 8 easily goes as well. Get excited BA fans because...this looked like UNC vs. Virginia...both times.
Game 2: BA_stealth_killer vs. BNR_emerald_eidolon - A Yankee hater that emerald. They would safety for a little while before emerald went for it. After 5 stripes, stuck with nothing simple, and can't find a way to make either of the other 2 stripes. The silent one had a go at the relatively easy run, and by all rights it should be 2-0...Unless he botches it. Left a mile away from the 8, 8 on the bottom rail with no line out of it, he botched it. So eidolon, gets to the 8, no trouble, Excited Evildoers love Emerald Eidolon. Ph how I've waited to think of something stupid from the Emerald Nuts commercials. 1-1.
Game 3: BA_occhoppers698 vs. BNR_badalnighter - THERE'S Vince, mr. instant win. Some good safeties in this game off and on, mixed with some equally nice shooting from the chopper fanatic, but when he got to 1 ball left...No leave on the 8. Gotta cuebank left to top right pocket. 8 isn't far awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy oi. Vince gets to 1 ball after that, pressuring cut into the bottom middle, but he's in-Vince-able. This could easily have been 3-0 Breakers Alley, instead it's 2-1 BNR their first only and last lead of the night as beatdown part 3 finished.
Game 4: BA_truebluebaby3 vs. BNR_kellyhero2003 - True went for the run right off the bat. But when she got to where she had no shot at all, just a simple safety. After a couple shots, kelly had but one option, safety. She executed it perfectly. Kelly, ball in hand, another safety this one ugly compared to the last though. True able to knock down the 3 cross-table to the bottom left. Again no real shot though for true, this time she takes a stab at a combo. ...No. kellyhero the superhero tonight after that, BNR running into the wind with this one, it's now 3-1 BNR.
Game 5: BA_sexydevil20052000 vs. BNR_redhot_2oo3 - Well just screw it all up David. Red putting himself in game 5, Theike take notice. Late in this one after redhot wasn't able to finish his run or hold off the devil with safeties, she got to two solids. But, unlucky with the position for her final ball. The ensuing bank attempt...Well, she made it...the cueball. Redman finishes his 2 stripes, 8, 4-1, wnder_y would win game 6, and game 7 ended on a timer. Said soccer_punk in the early goings of the match, it's hard to get a full team every week because a lot of people in BA hate safeties. Well, I'll certainly step up and commend him for the effort. What BNR did with hanging up the lineup, it may work against a big league like PF when they meet them this season, to get a couple wins. But that match with PF is in Advanced Lounge, so they're really gonna need to work hard and maybe go back to Vince playing first, and experiment with the middle of the order.
8BallRunners @ CueKeepers - Yep, jumping all around the schedule. This one though just...wasn't close. Trouble4some lost his game early, assuming the games are all reported in order, JohnnyJock was the guy knocking him off. But then 8BR just turned on the jets. They won the next game, next 2, 3, 4, 5, hell they just swept the final 6. 6-1 8BR the final there, copenhagen, runningwild, and mspoolpro half of the winners and this one like I said was just a total blowout. Hopefully for 8BR this is the jump-start they need to get back into contention for the AL Atlantic Title. They certainly weren't out of it really to begin with because of that big tie at 1-1, which they were the only team not part of it at 0-2.
Absolute Finest @ Beer Ball Masters - Another one not even close but it would get scary for the visitors. AF began it all with a 3-0 run. In that run BBM's captain Scott (c0rrupter) added in the comment to his loss against goodbye_sober_dayz: "will ask for cam next time". Typical Scott. Guy's already got enough strikes on him. Tracey has him on a very short leash at this point. 1 more mistake and he's gone as captain and replaced, one could logically expect a little box time given for the aimer accusation, but none as of now. And if he even dares to say it wasn't an aimer accusation then he should just be boxed anyways. Maybe each member of MLP will get a free pass should they decide to accuse or otherwise disrespect Scott. Stand in line take a number. As for the intelligent 6 players for BBM, Don and The_Reaper2 would take games 4 and 5, but it would be derek in game 6, beating out clogz. Clogz left frustrated. Aaron-no1 would beat AF's Griff_80 in game 7, but all for stats. Absolute Finest come in and beat BBM 4-3, but it wasn't even close halfway. Kudos to AF for going into another league's room, and really making a statement that week 1 was a warm-up, and they're a serious big-time league this season. BBM on the other hand, their struggles may very well continue, if Scott doesn't quit acting like a jackoff in interleagues. MLP Admins are serious about captains and really he should consider himself lucky to even be allowed to re-join MLP as the captain. Not only Scott though, but this team needs to figure out who's playing when and prepare a lot better for their matches. Throw in the fact that tonight Ivey was still 0-0 in tourneys. If BBM is gonna be a serious team this season they need him to get those 10 tourney games. Otherwise they could easily finish as many as 3 games out of playoff contention. Is it panic time for BBM? Not yet but it's starting to get a little scary over in Beer Lovers and we're just in week 3.
Best match of the night though by far, BritPool @ DreamPool - This game featured perhaps one of the best clutch run-outs you may ever see in MLP this season. But there were games before that.
Game 1: DP_xx_m_j_r_xx vs. BP_BP8ball - MJR in a rush during this match as he had to leave soon after. Unfortunately DP pretty much had to settle for him because they didn't have 7 other players. Again that depth factor, and it cost them. Mannie would not get the run, he'd miss out by 1 stripe, giving BP8ball ball in hand. And this Brit just doesn't disappoint. Judging by the fact that he had to settle for a combo when he got down to 2 solids, although it was a cakewalk, I'd say that this run was made up shot by shot, and even despite that it looked beautiful. That stuff's a lot easier to do in game 1, and BP impressively off to a 1-0 lead.
Game 2: DP_jack.boss vs. BP_BP1981 - Another BP rare, pretty good work. Jack was pretty much in the driver's seat for the entire game until he couldn't clean the table up after getting down to a few balls remaining, and he couldn't seem to break his stripes away. 1981 played this match about perfectly when he was at the obvious disadvantage. Then his final safety was just brilliant. He made jack bank the cue left rail, and hit the stripe-solid combo to get another safety. He made the solid legally, but left a gimme. BP jumped at the oppurtunity, and BritPoolers are up 2-0.
Game 3: DP_bokey_hata vs. BP_slavko74 - I didn't see the early goings here, but again I saw DP's player in control, jackal-dx (bokey) running, makes a difficult string of shots I do have to give him credit because none of the shots he made before getting to the 8 were gimmes by any stretch of the imagination, but unfortunately for him he got stuck just above the 8, no path to the top right, only chance really is a cuebank off the left side, which barely goes to nail the 8 bottom right. But what I think happened is he got a little too nervous about fouling, missed the 8, and slavko would get a shot. He opted to go for a fairly simple combo shot first, but missed it completely. However, he did get the lucky leave, as the 4ball rolled into position to block any shot on the 8. After a safety, and counter by slavko, bokey wound up short and off the mark on his contact attempt, and slavko would go to work again. But, he'd play it safe not wanting to be the first BP loss with 2 solids to go. Bokey made contact easily and spread the balls out a little. The next shot by slavko was really smart. He had 2 solids between the cue and the 8, could easily tap. Instead he goes for what was pretty much an impossible shot, knowing that a make was just an added bonus. If he missed, it's a good safety. Hata would have the chance to end it though. Off the right rail, 8ball is right by the bottom left, gets a piece of the bottom rail, but still misses the mark. Slavko by now thinking OK enough is enough, he's getting too close. Slavko just finished up, would you believe me if I said at this point BP was 3 for 3 in this match? Well, they were.
Game 4: DP_bryan_the_almighty_jew vs. BP_Thunder098 - Jai not at this match by the way he wouldn't show until game 7. So unless he and Jan were talking about who to call, I'll just give Jan some big credit right now for the way she handled it all. They safetied quite a bit, but after bryan was able to roll the cue off the 4 and hit a piece of cake 8-1 combo into the top middle, it was elementary my dear Watson. Hey hey do that Hebrew thing! Bryan's gonna have everyone at the next barmitzvah, because he put together a nice run down 3-0 to really put a jolt into this DreamPool team. It was all, they, needed. Not a moment too soon either the lead is now 3-1.
Game 5: DP_impressive_tyrant vs. BP_river_blake - Not panic time for BP yet. But they certainly wouldn't mind if blake could just kill any comeback bid. Tyrant a reserve who had just signed up in MLP, oh his name would be so true. They would safety a bit but it took blake a little time before he started potting tyrant's balls to try and cut down the safety chances. By the time the tyrant was done, with all the safeties, and I'll add the word productive before safeties, because just about every time he played one he had a purpose and it kept the game moving forward. Just an overall great performance under pressure, he may be starting next week with the lack of depth DreamPool has. Especially when he's just made this match 3-2 and didn't show one sign of being rattled, coming in as a reserve down 3-1. Great performance I can't say it enough and I can't even begin to say it enough for this next guy.
Game 6: DP_KillerSix vs. BP_oldlady_with_attitude - The old lady would get stripes, but the first safety she tried...just a pixel short. Ball in hand for Pascal and the rule of thumb is late in a match, don't run unless you're 100% sure. The confidence Pascal had to step up and run the table, and how smooth each shot was, he was never in trouble, always calm and steady. Power was perfect, each shot dead on the money, english was enough to make PO's Chris start chanting "w3t". If I get the chance to edit this out of the whole match tape I'll send it to anybody who asks, because this is probably the best run under that kind of pressure you may see all season plus playoffs. I won't bother saying a lot because I mean...It was just perfect and even that's an understatement. Pascal culd lose the rest of his games this season and have my vote for all-star. That's how good it was. 3-3 we're tied after a 3-0 defecit.
Game 7: DP_Super_Mario_64_ vs. BP_mind_da_pool - Cue up the Super Mario Brothers music. Jai wouldn't mind running to win, but he missed the 10 which had no line from it. Luigi's brother legally dropped one of Jai's stripes, got ball in hand, did it again, and again. Jai with the desperation cuebank, off the bottom rail going for the 10 top left, no good. mario would make a few shots, then play a very effective safety. Even if he made the very possible cuebank, the 8 was hopeless. Later, Mario down to 3, ends up very close to his 7, so instead of risking a cut shot he has to make a very difficult shot, ball just off the top rail, passing the top middle, to the upper left. Nail that, and then somehow leave a shot on the 7. His shot was just barely soft enough to leave a path past the 8, I'm still not sure it didn't pass through a pixel of it that's how close it was. 7 goes though, then 8, DreamPool caps off an amazing, stunning 4-3 victory after going down 3-0. Every bit of credit for outstanding play this week already goes to Mario, Bryan, Tyrant, and yes Pascal. DreamPool if they get a solid lineup, and continue to expand their depth, they could make a run at the Central Division Title. BritPool though, don't let the 1-2 record fool you they have been outright impressive this season. A dramatic change from last season. This is a team you will see playing in early June make no mistake about it.
Tonight was dull save for that DP-BP match. BritPool really came out gunning, and took advantage of every mistake DreamPool's players made in those first 3 matches. Then, it was like a light switch. Instant turnaround after bryan won that 4th game, and DreamPool was practically flawless thereafter. A very great effort from both teams, cya in June. And I'll see the rest of you in about...12 hours when I get working on Tuesday's picks.
Monday Picks and Tour 'Did You Know?'
Breakers Alley @ Break and Run Finally, each league doesn't have to play a big-name league. Both leagues though have handled themselves very nicely so far in the season, with a pair of 4-3 results, and 1-1 records apiece...and we all know the deal with bnr's 1 loss. For those who don't, ask around. Now, I know it kinda sucks to go against BA 3 times in a row when they actually have done good so far, but BNR's order of play is gonna be the key in this match. That and of course, if Revolves Ballroom lags like it has a lot lately, BNR's used to it, Breakers Alley...aren't. I think if it lags, BNR wins 6-1. If not, 4-3 or 5-2. Either way they win this match because redhot has got a really good order lined up. With Vince, one of their strongest shooters, playing first, it gives the middle of the lineup a lot more comfort, and confidence knowing they're not playing with the match on their shoulders. Assuming all that of course if he wins.
Absolute Finest @ BeerBallers Heh...This ould be good. AF 2-0, BBM 1-1. Now, in all fairness to bbm, their loss came after they had won, thanks to me. But really it would've been a different story in the bnr match as well, with Ivey ineligible in that match. Then there's AF who for all intents and purposes probably should've lost to BA, but the Breakers didn't have a player who understood the game at all or the situation, and that's their problem. Any other league, they're 1-1. So, the win against TourneyPool I think they really needed, to show that they deserve to be 2-0 and it was quite an impressive win. BeerBallers I get the feeling will struggle a bit in this match. Clogz will need to come up huge, Scott's gonna need to play and he probably has to captain the whole match. If I'm BBM I also want towelie to show up in this match. I can tell you from experience that when he's in a groove, he can be a game 6 or 7 player. BBM though like I said will struggle, and I think the Finest boys and girls take it 4-3.
BritPool @ DreamPool The match I'm supposedly gonna be banned from. Ha. Good luck. Anyways, despite my uh...let's say disagreements with BritPool, you can't ignore the fact that they're 1-1, and really fought hard in their loss to CueKeepers last week. I mean...there's a 7-way tie in the Atlantic for the lead...poor 8br... 6 of the 7 are 7/7, if this keeps up it could be a very tight race to the playoffs especially for that #4 spot. That's months away though so for now, let's look at this match. DreamPool has the better team I mean how can I ignore that fact? BritPool wins the battle of depth however and that's where DreamPool would have their problems possibly. If everybody on their normal team shows up to play and Pascal does his job as a captain this week, making sure they're all eligible, they'll win this match. I said off here it'd be 5-2, but I'm leaning closer now to 4-3. And in any match the last thing you wanna do is let a player get DQed, and give the other boys a freebie. Some of you saw what happened with Florida vs. South Carolina this weekend. I still can't decide on a score, I guess I'll say 5-2 either way DreamPool should win this, but with just 9 players, they need everyone on their team to show. Otherwise, they may get a matchup they don't exactly want, and BritPool could be waiting to pounce on the oppurtunity to punish them. Again I'll say 5-2 DP but they need their team there. Oh and I'll be there. :)
8allRunners @ Cuekeepers You know every season there's a team that loses every match until you pick them to lose. 8BR I believe is that team. 5/9, that's a 5-2 loss and the 4-3 where BritPool had them barbecued and devoured after 5 games. This is not what 8BR is capable of. They have players who can get wins and should be getting wins. Instead those players are getting knocked up, butchered, insert harsh word here. I'm gonna pick them to lose this match because CueKeepers I think are a fairly strong team this season, 4-3, but do not be surprised 1 bit if these guys finally wake up, get that pitchfork in the ass, and start running wild. No that's not a crack at runningwildhorse's name, before you ask.
Again my little BLT Did You Know which I posted in the shoutbox because that tour last night, though I was all for running it, obviously didn't go extremely well. Some people may ask for an asterisk by the points, but here it is anyways. Did You Know that PoolFighters are the only league to lead going into a week, and put up 0 points?*
Best of luck to everyone, and especially that aimer Brandi over in CKP cuz her trial ran out =P lol kidding :p take it easy folks :\
