This would have been posted yesterday, but my computer decided to lose everything I had already written. So, sorry.
o1. Happy Shirt — There’s no surprise Happy Shirt made it to the last weekend of the season. Only once since (at least) 2008 has the team not been in the championship game, when it lost to eventual champions Terrebonne Po’ Boys (then Star Bar Barracudas) in 2011. Since 2009, however, it hasn’t won the title, losing to Los Matadores (2010), Wildman Attack Force (2012), and the Terrebonne Po’ Boys (2013). Rumor has it this could be the squad’s last season, so consider it extra motivation—as if it doesn’t have enough.
Channel 6 played Happy Shirt close in Game of the Week, 9-6, and I expect it to again in the Elite Eight. Happy Shirt is just too good, though. I’m guessing we’ll see a similar score, regardless.
Runs / Allowed / Spread
54 / 1 / 53
o2. Wildman Attack Force — The best defensive team in the league starts the final week against the Bad News Bagels, the fifth-best defensive team. After a disappointing loss in the Elite Eight last year against the Goats, the Attack Force looks to make the championship game again—its second in three seasons. With the possibility of three games in 100° weather, it ultimately becomes a game of attrition after a while, and Wildman has the benefit of an eighteen-person roster with which to work.
Bad News Bagels played Wildman in week four during a rainout. Wildman won 5-0 in 5 innings. On dirt, the game will be very different.
Runs / Allowed / Spread
28 / 2 / 26
o5. Hurtz Donut D-Holes — The Hurtz Donut D-Holes are one win away from its preseason goal of reaching the Final Four, but the pesky Los Matadores won’t go away easily, especially now that it’s mostly healthy. The D-Holes, though, have an experienced roster top-to-bottom and have already played several final four-caliber teams. I’m willing to bet that same roster will be pulling for Channel 6 over Happy Shirt. Who wouldn’t?
Runs / Allowed / Spread
27 / 7 / 20
o6. Red Lyon — Red Lyon took it easy against Taco Tuesday, winning 7-1, and had a close game against the Rockets, 8-7. I don’t remember the last time Red Lyon advanced past the Elite Eight. Two years ago it won the one-off 9th place Reasonably Awesome Championship. If any team will struggle playing three consecutive games it’s Red Lyon. If it can discipline itself and cool it on the High Lifes, Red Lyon has a shot of reaching its first Final Four in a while. It faces the super-hot Chalmersiz first, though, a team that’s already knocked out the defending champion in the second round—something that hasn’t happened in at six years.
Runs / Allowed / Spread
15 / 8 / 7
o7. Bad News Bagels — The Bad News Bagels, by all means, have had a successful season. Its reached its first Elite Eight, have consistently been in the top 10 statistically, and have only lost three games. The rematch it wanted all season has happened, too—against Wildman Attack Force. This time on dirt . . . and with sunshine. As the away-team, expect the Bagels to try and strike first, but Wildman’s defense hasn’t allowed more than 8 runs all season.
Runs / Allowed / Spread
22 / 8 / 14
o8. Channel 6 — Channel 6 has a chance to make history. If it can beat Happy Shirt, it would be the first time Happy Shirt wouldn’t reach the Final Four in what feels like a decade. It would also earn its first Final Four bid. Getting there won’t be easy, because, as everyone is probably aware by now, Happy Shirt hasn’t missed the championship game since 2011. Channel 6 played it close in Game of the Week, though, and has a legitimate shot and knocking off the winningest team in KVKL history.
Runs / Allowed / Spread
24 / 9 / 15
13. Los Matadores — Los Matadores had a tough draw in division play, knocking it down to Rank Pool 4 where it went 2-1. It has an equally tough draw in the tournament, facing a good, experienced Hurtz Donut D-Holes team first, and then either Happy Shirt or Channel 6. Los Matadores have played Happy Shirt in the tournament in all but one year since its inception (2011) and have defeated it only once—in the 2010 championship game. That team was very different from what it is now, though, with drastic personnel changes over the seasons. This current squad, however, is awfully good when it isn’t hurt—and it doesn’t seem to be that hurt these days, having not lost since week 9 against Das Boot (8-7).
Runs / Allowed / Spread
22 / 8 / 14
14. Mario Chalmersiz — The lowest-ranked team left in the tournament, the Mario Chalmersiz face an experienced and fast Red Lyon team. It also hasn’t lost since week 8 to Los Matadores (7-6). Ending the regular season with a win over Das Boot in Game of the Week has given this team momentum, and knocking out the defending champs, the Terrebonne Po’ Boys, in the second round has only boosted that tenfold. If it can get past Red Lyon, it would be the lowest seed to reach the Final Four in I don’t know how long, but that won’t be easy. Facing either the wiry Bad News Bagels or defensive-minded Wildman Attack Force in the next round could prove a real challenge.
Runs / Allowed / Spread
15 / 7 / 8