Monday, July 28, 2008
Week 3 Predictions
Welcome back! So, after a dismal 4-4 record last week, it looks like I need to step it up a notch or two with respect to my picks. Now, any team entering this week with an 0-2 record HAS to win or they can kiss their season goodbye, as the wild card teams will most likely get into the playoffs w/ a record of 6-8 or 7-7. In other words, teams that start 0-3 are going to need to go AT LEAST 6-5 in the last 11 weeks of the season to make the playoffs - probably not going to happen. On the other side of the coin, teams with 1-1 records will be looking to stay above .500 and the 2-0 teams will be hoping a win combined w/ a loss from a team their tied with will vault them into #1 in their conference. So what is week 3 throwing at us?
-Monday Night-
7pm - United Pool (2-0) @ Pool Loverz (0-2)
Location: You Got Lucky
Last Week: United Pool def. True Pool Legends 4-3 / Cheapshotz def. Pool Loverz 6-1
Watch List: up_dandi452 & pz_infatuation_xxx
Outlook: Well this should be a quick match. As someone told me last week, the only thing that leaves any suspense for this match is whether UP can beat the record for the fastest 7-0'ing of an opponent in MLP history (apparently, the current record is something like 43 minutes). I just can't see a team with a Games W/L record of 1-13 through 2 matches giving a team that knocked off TPL and CZ in weeks #1 and #2 much trouble. I was on the bad end of the result in week 2 vs UP and have to say that their team showed a lot of character in coming back to win the match, after completely blowing an early 2-0 lead, which saw them fall behind 3-2 heading into game 6.
Prediction: 7-0 United Pool
7pm - Pool Legends (2-0) @ True Pool Legends (1-1)
Location: Blurry
Last Week: Pool Legends def. Devine Cuez 5-2 / United Pool def. True Pool Legends 4-3
Watch List: pl_sexxxy_luckydog71 & tpl_xlx_under_dog_xlx
Outlook: If TPL was 2-0, this would undoubtedly be my match of the week - but they're not -Why? Because Pommy can't bank :( They snuck by a below-average 8BS team in Week 1, and blew a 3-2 lead in Week 2 to UP. In short, this team is hurting and needs a resume-building victory here to get them back on the right track. In the other corner, PL have white-washed the competition through the first couple weeks of the season, and have drawn TPL at a perfect time. Jase is on my watch-list for PL for obvious reasons, as he's their captain and best player. Dec, on the otherhand, has been TPL's go-to player for game 1's early in this young season. If he puts TPL ahead they could well be on their way to a win. If they get behind the 8ball early, like they did against UP, that may force Ryan's hand into playing some of his late-game players earlier than expected. I see TPL finally proving their worth and scraping out the W.
Prediction: 4-3 True Pool Legends
-Tuesday Night-
***Match of the Week***
6pm - Poolfiction (2-0) @ Tourney Pool (2-0)
Location: Crossed Cues
Last Week: Poolfiction def. Dreampool 4-3 / Tourney Pool def. Pool Pals 4-3
Watch List: pfn_xlx_bpk_xlx & tp_deep_cerebro
Outlook: Week 3 and we get our first taste of what the NL Conference Finals should look like. PFN will have the likes of Jamie, James and Stu while TP will have Luis, Matt (superstaaaar) and Emmitt. At full-strength - I'd look for this match to go right down to the wire. Unfortunately, Ross and Trey are both no-shows for this match, putting a huge dent in TP's hopes. Now, in this battle of the lady captains, how does Lisa out-smart Kerry? In my opinion, she has to take advantage of home-table. She's missing key players and has to attack PFN's weaker players (i.e. the players I didnt just list). The "Big 3" are going to "get theres," but if you can upset at least one of them, you stand a chance. In her position, I think I'd throw my weaker players against those 3, hoping for a little luck and at least 1 win. PFN does have depth, and that's why I just don't see Luis/Matt/Emmitt going 3-0 against whoever they play. In the end, depth is going to decide this one, and TP won't be able to supply enough of it for this match.
Prediction: 5-2 Poolfiction
***Upset of the Week***
7pm - Break and Run (0-2) @ Magic Pool (1-1)
Location: Advanced Lounge II
Last Week: Extreme Cues def. Break and Run 4-3 / Magic Pool def. Luckyshots 5-2
Watch List: bnr_kccwc1 & mp_dont_miss_2007
Outlook: So after an 0-2 start to my UOTW Picks, I'm bestowing my weekly jinx upon BNR. This time I think I might be on to something, though! MP's captain Jordan (xlx_skill_xlx) bolted to DC earlier in the week, leaving Jane to captain the team. Not only did MP lose their captain in all of this, they also lost their best (and most legitimate) shooter. BNR showed that they could play w/ my wildcard pick last week, coming back from 3-0 down, only to lose in game 7 to EC. While Dina and Co. will have to over-come MP's home-table advantage, I think they pass this test and avoid starting the season a disappointing 0-3. Look for some late-match heroics from kccwc1.
Prediction: 4-3 Break and Run
-Wednesday Night-
7pm - Luckyshots (0-2) @ Extreme Cues (2-0)
Location: Social Lounge VII
Last Week: Magic Pool def. Luckyshots 5-2 / Extreme Cues def. Break and Run 4-3
Watch List: ls_im_just_jeremy & ec_spin.tec.......errrr ec_sleepyman615
Outlook: Interesting match in my eyes. Last season's wildcard winner LS in a MUST-WIN situation against a team which lost their best player (Marky/spin.technician), after he defected back to PP earlier in the week. I probably over-rated LS in my pre-season league rankings, as they appear to have little-to-no depth at all. EC, on the other hand, are probably the most over-rated 2-0 team in MLP; the weakness of the NL should carry them through into the playoffs, though. In this match, I look for EC to squeak by in a close one; LS just hasn't impressed me thus far.
Prediction: 4-3 Extreme Cues
8pm - Devine Cuez (1-1) @ 8 Ball Scratch (0-2)
Location: And Far Away
Last Week: Pool Legends def. Devine Cuez 5-2 / Straightshots def. 8 Ball Scratch 6-1
Watch List: dc_lllvlllagiic & 8bs_omy_2ez
Outlook: Alright. So. After TPL defeated 8BS 4-3 in week 1, Paul told me to not underestimate them anymore. I noted that, and predicted them to upset SS last week. To reward this bold prediction, they show up w/ 5 people and get smoked 6-1. Never Again, Paul! I can't see this match being very interesting, but I do hope the kiddies from DC keep quiet this week, unlike last week versus PL! JT (the one doing most of the talking at that match) quit DC after Zach didn't play him (a decision that may have very well cost DC a perfect record heading into week 3); in his absense, DC brought in MP's captain Jordan (xlx_skill_xlx). I'm gunna have to say DC upgraded slightly w/ that move, but whether the newcomer plays in this match is yet to be known. I look for DC to roll in this one.
Prediction: 6-1 Devine Cuez
-Thursday Night -
8pm - Straightshots (1-1) @ Cheapshotz (1-1)
Location: Custard Pie
Last Week: Straightshots def. 8 Ball Scratch 6-1 / Cheapshotz def. Pool Loverz 6-1
Watch List: ss_x_tr1ppy_x & cz_fhm_champion
Outlook: Alright, I'm still not sold on SS yet. Get absolutely smoked by PL 7-0 and then turn around and dismantle a 5-player 8BS team 6-1 the following week. Consistancy people - I'm trying to predict here! Meh, doesn't really matter this week - nothing to say about this match except that if Ben loses his game I'm going to laugh in his face (Side Note: PZ Games W/L is 1-20...guess who that 1 win came against :D) lol CZ is going to be too much to handle on this evening.
Prediction: 6-1 Cheapshotz
8pm - Pool Pals (0-2) @ Dreampool (1-1)
Location: Advanced Lounge III
Last Week: Tourney Pool def. Pool Pals 4-3 / Poolfiction def. Dreampool 4-3
Watch List: pp_YOUNGFAME & dp_s_u_k_i_o_o
Outlook: Well, earlier this week, Ash was a douche (SHOCKER!) and withdrew from MLP before Kerry could box him, so that's one less player PP will have to worry about. PP is without a doubt the best 0-2 team in MLP, having lost two tough 4-3 decisions to EC and TP, and will only get better after adding Marky back to their roster. Moe will be captaining this match and looks to give PP their first win of the young season. DP, on the otherhand, is always a difficult league to predict matches for. They could show w/ a strong 7 and blow PP outta the water, or not show at all. I can see Pita and Co. winning 1 or 2 games, but PP should take this one down.
Prediction: 5-2 Pool Pals
And there ya have it. Currently, I'm sitting at a respectable 3-1 in match predictions this week (Once again, my upset of the week didn't pan out lol ). Good Luck to all leagues playing Thursday and Friday, I should be back tomorrow with my Special Post: Game #1 Importance. Take care all.
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Last Week : 4-4 Overall: 9-7
-Monday Night-
7pm - United Pool (2-0) @ Pool Loverz (0-2)
Location: You Got Lucky
Last Week: United Pool def. True Pool Legends 4-3 / Cheapshotz def. Pool Loverz 6-1
Watch List: up_dandi452 & pz_infatuation_xxx
Outlook: Well this should be a quick match. As someone told me last week, the only thing that leaves any suspense for this match is whether UP can beat the record for the fastest 7-0'ing of an opponent in MLP history (apparently, the current record is something like 43 minutes). I just can't see a team with a Games W/L record of 1-13 through 2 matches giving a team that knocked off TPL and CZ in weeks #1 and #2 much trouble. I was on the bad end of the result in week 2 vs UP and have to say that their team showed a lot of character in coming back to win the match, after completely blowing an early 2-0 lead, which saw them fall behind 3-2 heading into game 6.
Prediction: 7-0 United Pool
7pm - Pool Legends (2-0) @ True Pool Legends (1-1)
Location: Blurry
Last Week: Pool Legends def. Devine Cuez 5-2 / United Pool def. True Pool Legends 4-3
Watch List: pl_sexxxy_luckydog71 & tpl_xlx_under_dog_xlx
Outlook: If TPL was 2-0, this would undoubtedly be my match of the week - but they're not -Why? Because Pommy can't bank :( They snuck by a below-average 8BS team in Week 1, and blew a 3-2 lead in Week 2 to UP. In short, this team is hurting and needs a resume-building victory here to get them back on the right track. In the other corner, PL have white-washed the competition through the first couple weeks of the season, and have drawn TPL at a perfect time. Jase is on my watch-list for PL for obvious reasons, as he's their captain and best player. Dec, on the otherhand, has been TPL's go-to player for game 1's early in this young season. If he puts TPL ahead they could well be on their way to a win. If they get behind the 8ball early, like they did against UP, that may force Ryan's hand into playing some of his late-game players earlier than expected. I see TPL finally proving their worth and scraping out the W.
Prediction: 4-3 True Pool Legends
-Tuesday Night-
***Match of the Week***
6pm - Poolfiction (2-0) @ Tourney Pool (2-0)
Location: Crossed Cues
Last Week: Poolfiction def. Dreampool 4-3 / Tourney Pool def. Pool Pals 4-3
Watch List: pfn_xlx_bpk_xlx & tp_deep_cerebro
Outlook: Week 3 and we get our first taste of what the NL Conference Finals should look like. PFN will have the likes of Jamie, James and Stu while TP will have Luis, Matt (superstaaaar) and Emmitt. At full-strength - I'd look for this match to go right down to the wire. Unfortunately, Ross and Trey are both no-shows for this match, putting a huge dent in TP's hopes. Now, in this battle of the lady captains, how does Lisa out-smart Kerry? In my opinion, she has to take advantage of home-table. She's missing key players and has to attack PFN's weaker players (i.e. the players I didnt just list). The "Big 3" are going to "get theres," but if you can upset at least one of them, you stand a chance. In her position, I think I'd throw my weaker players against those 3, hoping for a little luck and at least 1 win. PFN does have depth, and that's why I just don't see Luis/Matt/Emmitt going 3-0 against whoever they play. In the end, depth is going to decide this one, and TP won't be able to supply enough of it for this match.
Prediction: 5-2 Poolfiction
***Upset of the Week***
7pm - Break and Run (0-2) @ Magic Pool (1-1)
Location: Advanced Lounge II
Last Week: Extreme Cues def. Break and Run 4-3 / Magic Pool def. Luckyshots 5-2
Watch List: bnr_kccwc1 & mp_dont_miss_2007
Outlook: So after an 0-2 start to my UOTW Picks, I'm bestowing my weekly jinx upon BNR. This time I think I might be on to something, though! MP's captain Jordan (xlx_skill_xlx) bolted to DC earlier in the week, leaving Jane to captain the team. Not only did MP lose their captain in all of this, they also lost their best (and most legitimate) shooter. BNR showed that they could play w/ my wildcard pick last week, coming back from 3-0 down, only to lose in game 7 to EC. While Dina and Co. will have to over-come MP's home-table advantage, I think they pass this test and avoid starting the season a disappointing 0-3. Look for some late-match heroics from kccwc1.
Prediction: 4-3 Break and Run
-Wednesday Night-
7pm - Luckyshots (0-2) @ Extreme Cues (2-0)
Location: Social Lounge VII
Last Week: Magic Pool def. Luckyshots 5-2 / Extreme Cues def. Break and Run 4-3
Watch List: ls_im_just_jeremy & ec_spin.tec.......errrr ec_sleepyman615
Outlook: Interesting match in my eyes. Last season's wildcard winner LS in a MUST-WIN situation against a team which lost their best player (Marky/spin.technician), after he defected back to PP earlier in the week. I probably over-rated LS in my pre-season league rankings, as they appear to have little-to-no depth at all. EC, on the other hand, are probably the most over-rated 2-0 team in MLP; the weakness of the NL should carry them through into the playoffs, though. In this match, I look for EC to squeak by in a close one; LS just hasn't impressed me thus far.
Prediction: 4-3 Extreme Cues
8pm - Devine Cuez (1-1) @ 8 Ball Scratch (0-2)
Location: And Far Away
Last Week: Pool Legends def. Devine Cuez 5-2 / Straightshots def. 8 Ball Scratch 6-1
Watch List: dc_lllvlllagiic & 8bs_omy_2ez
Outlook: Alright. So. After TPL defeated 8BS 4-3 in week 1, Paul told me to not underestimate them anymore. I noted that, and predicted them to upset SS last week. To reward this bold prediction, they show up w/ 5 people and get smoked 6-1. Never Again, Paul! I can't see this match being very interesting, but I do hope the kiddies from DC keep quiet this week, unlike last week versus PL! JT (the one doing most of the talking at that match) quit DC after Zach didn't play him (a decision that may have very well cost DC a perfect record heading into week 3); in his absense, DC brought in MP's captain Jordan (xlx_skill_xlx). I'm gunna have to say DC upgraded slightly w/ that move, but whether the newcomer plays in this match is yet to be known. I look for DC to roll in this one.
Prediction: 6-1 Devine Cuez
-Thursday Night -
8pm - Straightshots (1-1) @ Cheapshotz (1-1)
Location: Custard Pie
Last Week: Straightshots def. 8 Ball Scratch 6-1 / Cheapshotz def. Pool Loverz 6-1
Watch List: ss_x_tr1ppy_x & cz_fhm_champion
Outlook: Alright, I'm still not sold on SS yet. Get absolutely smoked by PL 7-0 and then turn around and dismantle a 5-player 8BS team 6-1 the following week. Consistancy people - I'm trying to predict here! Meh, doesn't really matter this week - nothing to say about this match except that if Ben loses his game I'm going to laugh in his face (Side Note: PZ Games W/L is 1-20...guess who that 1 win came against :D) lol CZ is going to be too much to handle on this evening.
Prediction: 6-1 Cheapshotz
8pm - Pool Pals (0-2) @ Dreampool (1-1)
Location: Advanced Lounge III
Last Week: Tourney Pool def. Pool Pals 4-3 / Poolfiction def. Dreampool 4-3
Watch List: pp_YOUNGFAME & dp_s_u_k_i_o_o
Outlook: Well, earlier this week, Ash was a douche (SHOCKER!) and withdrew from MLP before Kerry could box him, so that's one less player PP will have to worry about. PP is without a doubt the best 0-2 team in MLP, having lost two tough 4-3 decisions to EC and TP, and will only get better after adding Marky back to their roster. Moe will be captaining this match and looks to give PP their first win of the young season. DP, on the otherhand, is always a difficult league to predict matches for. They could show w/ a strong 7 and blow PP outta the water, or not show at all. I can see Pita and Co. winning 1 or 2 games, but PP should take this one down.
Prediction: 5-2 Pool Pals
And there ya have it. Currently, I'm sitting at a respectable 3-1 in match predictions this week (Once again, my upset of the week didn't pan out lol ). Good Luck to all leagues playing Thursday and Friday, I should be back tomorrow with my Special Post: Game #1 Importance. Take care all.
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Last Week : 4-4 Overall: 9-7
