There is, a lot of action. Lot. Of. Action.
This is shaping up to be a really fun last week of the season. The end of last week was wild - as late in the week as Saturday, Sean has an 8-2 lead on Russ, I had a 6-4 lead on Greg, John has a 6-4 lead over Pflanz. That, as we know, is now how it ended. Russ came back to hang onto his final playoff spot, Greg came back to get closer to Sean as he dropped against Russ, and Pflanz came back to make up for Russ coming back to stay relevant! Phew, I got sweaty again just reliving it!
There are implications in (almost) every matchup this week. I'm going to follow our league more than the real MLB cause we're cooler. Ok:
Ryu Serious?! vs. Bo Knows
Here's a doozy. Now mathematically (technically not really but like, he literally can't make the playoffs) eliminated from playoff contention, Dan gets one last week to showcase the talent he should've traded weeks ago. If Pflanz happens to miss the playoffs, he will go back and calculate all of his stats had he acquired some of Dan's pitching to prove to us it is Dan's fault he didn't make the playoffs.
Prediction: 5-5. Cause, who cares.
Which brings us nicely to...
All Betts are Off vs. Kenta Believe it
Sunday brought Greg close enough to second place that he can now smell it, and it smells like a nice stress-free week and an extra $150 in his pocket. He has reason to get the clubhouse fired up, but worst he can do this year is third. Pflanz on the other hand is William Wallacing his team in the locker room right now, begging his pitching to wake up and understand the difference between a real game and batting practice. He trails Russ by 2.5 games - he's going to need a massive week to make that up.
Prediction: Greg wins 5-4-1
Crazy thing is, Pflanz also has to beat this guy...
Buehler's Day Off vs. MC
Mark is also 2.5 games out of the coveted last playoff spot, which has to be extremely disappointing since he was facing the worst team in the league last week. Has a bit of a bigger challenge ahead of him as Eric sits comfy in the 4th seed, and looks to stay there. Still DeGrom-less, Mark is going to try to beat the odds here and sneak into the playoff. But again, still needs some help.
Prediction: Eric wins 6-3-1
Because they only controls half of what happens here...
Neverending Stoooory! vs. Something Witty
I control the other!! Muahahaha. Well, kinda. Actually Russ controls the other... He's in a win and you're in driver's seat situation, with a team coming off an emotional weekend rally that, let's just call it what it is guys, has the best player in baseball right now on a tear. His other shortstop should regain his taste and smell soon and start contributing (hopefully for his real life team also) as they battle to hold onto Octo... Late September baseball.
Prediction: Russ wins 6-2-2
Russ has his eyes on more than just staying alive though...
The Young Guns vs. Bohm's Away
Fresh off pissing Mark off, Richie looks to John D to see if he can help his bro leap frog him into the fifth seed. And hey, John only has a game lead on Russ, which only gives him a 3.5 game lead from the two times tied for seventh so like, all kinds of crazy shit could happen. John got away with awful pitching numbers last week and his offense seems to think they're already in the playoffs... Man this is so fun.
Prediction: John wins 7-2-1
And after all that crazy talk, the matchup of the week has zero playoff implications whatsoever...
Polark Power vs. Cole World
In the first year that we amend the pay structure to include payouts for regular season standings, the league gives the people what they want. Sean and Eddie face-off in a $200 matchup to end the year, and it's awesome. It's kind of like the year in real baseball where two teams got booted out of the playoffs on the last day of the season (can't remember which ones......) and it was so awesome that the MLB decided to force it to happen every year by adding an extra wild card team and a one game playoff. This is the matchup for the season crown, and honestly one I might follow more than my own.
Prediction: Sean wins 5-4-1
Good luck to all of those vying for playoff spots, and congratulations to those who already have one. But for all intents and purposes, they playoffs start now.
Happy baseball!
