Last divisional games wrap up this week. The DBL nation focuses on the very confused Midwest where anyone can win. Any team can get a secured spot in the playoffs, any team can miss it. Any team can win the division. This division has always been known as the leaderless anything goes division and this year is no different. Should be fun. Each division could be won this week. A Skylarks win. A Gold win. An Empire win. But the Midwest is a completely different tangled web.
#4 (5-3) @ (6-2) #2The first matchup between these Western teams proved to be worth the billing in a 3 set match win for the Gold. Both teams are still highly ranked but reeling from losses last week. The Phactory needs to end this skid before playoff time comes so they don't end up in the Play-In blackhole. The Gold have pretty much clinched playoffs but could win the division outright with a win here. I say the Pharoahs are ready to rev up again and the Gold are still questioning themselves after a confusing loss to the Dragonfish.
Prediction: PHA
All Time: PHA- 8 GOLD- 16
First matchup in week 4 was a really messy affair. The Margays played ok, and the Seadogs played very well. Now, the Margays cannot afford to play ok, so I tihnk we will see a swift defeat of the home team. The Margays can't let this playoff oppurtunity slip away.
Prediction: MAR
All Time: MAR- 9 SEA- 14
#3 (5-3) @ (2-6) This game could easily spell disaster for the Cat's who are in the lead of trying to avoid the Play-In. The Toros are always great on paper, but that 10-1 loss says the real story. I think the Cat's will get back on a roll and finish out the season with W's.
Prediction: CATS
All Time: CATS- 17 TOR- 9
MidWeek MidWest
(4-4) @ (5-3) #8
The Reapers have a history of ending the Interceptors win streaks. In the playoffs last year they ended INT's perfect season. This season in week 2, they ended the Interceptors 12 game regular season win streak. Now, the stakes aren't so high for a streak, but it is still very high for the Playoffs. With a win and a Scarlet Ember loss, the Interceptors could win the division crown. The Reapers need to shake a surprising 3 game skid as they hope to simply make the playoffs that they are projected to win by some. The have quite a task with the Interceptors and Skylarks in their way.
Prediction: INT
All Time: REP- 13 INT- 16
(4-4) @ (5-3) #5
The Scarlet Ember have fallen twice since their win in Chicago sent them to #1 in the league. They have split every division series this season, so according to that law they will lose. But the Scarlet Ember probably have the best chemistry to talent ratio in the league. And they are more talented than the Gremlins. The Gremlins never give up, they keep finding themselves year after year in 4-4, 3-5, situations this late in the season. This time they hope to pull through and remarkably make the playoffs. I think the Scarlet Ember are just a little too strong this year though.
Prediction: SE
All Time: GRE- 11 SE- 13
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#7 (5-3) @ (3-5)
The Dizzy Devils can't seem to find their potential. The Empire just keep winning, 4 of 5 last games. It seems that DD are more talented but this team is all over the place. Aleksandr is having a renaissance season and he is getting great support from his team. I see an easy pickings.
Prediction: EMP
All Time: EMP- 16 DD- 11
#6 (5-3) @ (1-7)
The Diamonds really are an elite team. Many people don't see it when they play, but this team is probably better than the team that made it to the Conference round last year. The Silverbacks are completely not the team that made the Play-In last year. This should be a cake walk, the Diamonds are pretty much on fire right now.
Prediction: DIA
All Time: DIA- 13 SB- 12
The first game in week 5 was a suprise tough match. The Dragonfish have to be feeling themselves right now, "bring us the next #1!". But Paolo and friends are no match for the talent on this team. The Skylarks have oddly been under stated this year probably because everyone knows they are a threat, a serious scary unbeatable monster. The Cat's gained more fame than the Skylarks just for stealing a win from them. But I think, in retrospect, everyone will call this the year of the Skylarks, a bit incorrectly. A win, gets them that division title and probably a secure #1 seed.
Prediction: SKY
All Time: DF- 13 SKY- 14
