There is one team that may be folding for the upcoming season, so ideally if that happens we can fold another team so we are back to an even number. So, if you are considering merging teams (as I’ve heard in a few cases) or you are a Captain and are having second thoughts let me know and we’ll happily go down to a lean, mean 42 teams. Thanks
Sure the Draft League playoffs start tonight. That’s exciting stuff, pitting some of BoPo’s best against each other in a showdown for cash and glory. The thing is BoPo is so close and so fast approaching that Draft League loyalties, while not exactly being pulled, are a little weakened. Some team will pull it together and get real tight over the next two weeks on a big run, but will anyone even remember? Quick, name the 2011 Draft Champs? It’s odd because it’s really a battle of great teams but its finals are subsumed by the building BoPo hysteria every year. BoPo is coming, people. That said the team that pulls this off will remember it, and it counts as one of four Bayside Major titles each year. Only the six folks who win are still alive to capture the first ever Bayside Grand Slam (Draft, BoPo, Mens/Womens Doubles (happening), King/Queenshit). Several have done two in a year. As of yet no one has reached three though, so even that would be notable and grant some serious bragging rights. Anyway, enough rambling intro.
Forgive the “actual sports page” vibe of these writeups, it’s just where my head’s at
Play-In Game
Clam Hands Mafia (4-6) -1 vs The Bustas (4-6): These two managed to eke out postseason bids over the other four 4-6 teams due to their high averages. In this league the difference between the all the teams is pretty negligible, so though these teams have an extra step to take they enter the night knowing they are each capable of a run to the semis. The Clam Hands had to sit and watch in week 10 and didn’t clinch their spot until Precious missed a strike in the 10th frame of the last game. They are psyched to be in, and will roll a formidable lineup. Cheddar obviously anchors the team and was one of a group of 6 bowlers that really distanced themselves at the top this season. Leadoff man Cookie is a team-first guy who really want to win. Steff Infection or Sasha would prvide an extremely solid score leaving Dill as the wildcard. He’s capable of giant scores and has had playoff success. On the other side Busta has the ability to dominate on any given night. He’ll roll South Paw, the Cape Elizabeth lefty who has burst onto the scene this fall with a power hook and a sweet stache. Beaujolais has already been through multiple playoff games in the last month and won a title. His wildcard is Nurple (unless Bijou shows up?) who just signed with UREA! So that’s my one point spread, Dill over Nurple.
Sweet 16
#5 In-N-Out (6-4) -2 vs Play-In Winner (5-6): BIAS ALERT! BIAS ALERT! Yeah, even without knowing the opponent. In-N-Out enters confident. They have six BoPo titles, 2 Draft titles and 1 Kingshit between them. McQueen alone has 4 majors. They have gotten by without much of a season from Hungus, but McQueen and Hungus just played in a money tourney in Waterville to practice for this one. Space Farmer has been strong all season picking up the slack with Hungus scuffling. The Dude has come on of late with The Berserk and provides great depth. Captain Slow Roll finished sixth among women with more than a couple games. She’s drafted a team with a chance to make a deep run.
#6 Touch Me Ralphie (5-5) -2 vs #11 Shatner Face (5-5): I had this at -3 until I saw Shifter’s beard today. Have you seen that thing? It’s stupendous. That is Shatner Face. I have no idea how Shatner Face got into the playoffs with down seasons forom Hot Sauce and Walter and Shifter gone most of the time. Yet they found ways to win, thanks in a huge way to Xander Rolle. I’m not sure how he did it but he put up a great average and carried his team when they need it. Now they’re here and they have as a good a shot as anyone. Touch Me has got a team that I picked early on for a finals run, though, so tough draw. When Captain Ralphie rolls well these guys can be the best squad in the league. They have interchangeable #1s with E-Minor and Dwayne Luther, and if you average those guys’ normal facial expressions it’s a smirk. They’ve got a rejuvenated Booth playing like it’s 2009. Then they’ve got the ultimate hype and energy guy in Rick Vaughn, and a solid 2nd woman in Wen Diesel. It’s a potent combination. They just need to keep E happy.
#10 Lazercats (5-5) -1 vs #7 Preemptive Strikes (5-5): These are pretty evenly matched teams, but as I was saying to someone at the lanes tonight “when in doubt, go with Bama”. Bama is the top bowler going in this one and has the potential every match for a 700 series. T-$ hasn’t found it all year and I’m not sure there’s time left, but a down T-$ is not bad. Then they have Gutterslut who has perhaps been their most consistent roller. T-Square also drafted a traditionally clutch roller in Rufio. The Strikes are an interesting mix. Pauly and Tango are pretty intense rollers, though in different styles. Tango had a monster season finishing in the top 10. The big surprise has been Ishmael who has been hot down the stretch. That won’t be enough against the big guns of the Lazercats I’m afraid.
#9 Imminent Threats (5-5) -1 vs #8 Dick’s Pick’s Vol. III (5-5): Game of the round. These are two excellent teams that I’d pick over most of the others rolling tonight. The Threats are paced by Jerk, and despite his down season by his standards would you be surprised if he averaged 210 in the playoffs? He’s got great backup in former bowling instructor, soon to be Gun of Brighton Jon “MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNN” Moon” and the ol’ Cap himself has been tossing 200s on the regular. Nugget enters her first BoPo associated playoff with a scary intensity and an assassin’s steady hand. That concentration will be firmly tested by Dick’s band of merry men. Dick created the best environment for success for himself by surrounding himself with the calming influences of Roadhouse, Bowldemort, and Dick’s own wife Coucou. Savvy drafting. He’ll still get his team some shots, but that’ll just be followed by a round of awkward giggles and then complete focus on the lanes. This as a close one. Bowloff potential: moderate to severe!
Quarterfinals
#5 In-N-Out (6-4) -1 vs #4 HHH (6-4): Do I need to rebroadcast it? BIAS ALERT! BIAS ALERT! These teams had a classic batle in the INO’s season opener with Cheese taking down Hungus in the final frame for an 8-7 win. That was the regular season. It won’t happen here. Mr. Stiffy has been putting up some big games lately, and Hexy and Skittles are game for the fight, but as I mentioned above I think In-N-Out is primed to roll.
#6 Touch Me Ralphie (5-5) -1 vs #3 Wet Bandits (7-3): Strange pick here, as Stevie Strikes flat out dominated the league this season. Valley Girl has been just as dominant on the other side of the gender ledger. I just don’t trust their surrounding cast entirely. Herk needs to step up big time as the Captain for this team to advance, because Probie and Samsquampch are two of the most erratic bowlers in the league and could roll 220 or 71, literally.
#2 SODA (7-3) -1 vs #7 Lazercats (5-5): The first (and only) top 4 seed I’m picking to advance. Diesel has proven to be a pretty strong playoff bowler and he’s ably backed by the Yay boys. Coco Lopez has seen it all and been to Finals, and this team seems to really enjoy winning. I’ll take them to edge the Lazercats who maybe wear out a bit by game 6.
#8 Imminent Threats (5-5) -1 vs #1 Blurred Lanes (7-3): Sure Natro seems to have bounced back from his case of Beer-foot (he bowled in the Biz playoffs Tuesday), and perhaps the Dentist will be fine not having bowled in a couple weeks, but it’s hard to go with the team with question marks for both of their top 2. Maybe Jewdy has one of those odd big Jewdy night and maybe McStriker dominates Nugget, but I don’t like so many uncertainties. I’ll go with the 2013 Top Dawg, The Bowling Instructor, and The Guy Who Is Here Every Day.
#30 Guacabowle (Division TBD) – Last Season: 8-4: Guacabowle showed the improvement everyone expected in 2013 after they put a playoff scare into eventual champs The Walkaways in 2012. Sparetime and Bonita have kept it going with Draft League seasons and they are still as nice as ever. I’m pretty sure their other guys have gotten some reps in Restaurant League so they should come out of the gate firing.
#29 Roll Another (Division – Thursday B) – Last Season 6-6: It’s getting pretty cliche for me to talk about how Roll Another has been in the league for 7 years but noone knows who they are still. People recognize the names, Uncle Buck, The Package, Chupacapbra, but struggle to put names to faces. Last year was the classic Roll season, quietly going exactly .500. I think they’ll do it again.
#28 DGUTS (Division – Tuesday B) – Last Season: 4-8: D-GUTS is made up almost entirely of the roster of Media League team WJAB. The Big Jab has defied expectations to reach the Media Finals again this season, so maybe they could be a little feisty in BoPo this year. Old Thumper has been rolling well in Draft and should start the season as the DGUTS #1, taking some pressure off Cap’n Collection (or conversely adding pressure on him to reclaim his top spot). These guys practice, and that alone moves them up these rankings.
#27 Wrecking Balls (Division – Tuesday B) – Last Season: 7-5: The Wreck is moving to Tuesday night to play on the same night as the rest of the Mitchells. They didn’t add much in free agency, but they did trim down to a leaner team with Swing and Swanny returning, and Dude Jr. gives them a home run threat. The Dude has also shown some promise in Draft League with his Berserk ball, and may have a winner on his hands that could scare some teams in the playoffs.
#26 My Balls (Division – Tuesday B) – Last Season 6-6: Just this afternoon Balls Captain Barry Violet made his first splash in the free agent market signing the famous yet mysterious Wej. He will have some high expectations what with that 300 brick. My Balls player Big Red is also on the board this week as top scoring woman. Barry’s got some talent assembled here, and he’ll want some wins to justify his one hour bowling commute.
#25 DHD/Tequila Mockingbird/White Whale/Clockwork Oranges/? (Division – Thursday B) – Last Season:8-4: What will the name be this year? War and Pizza? Huckleberry Pins? Whatever it is they’ll be led by the surprising Ishmael (though his name may change too) who has been lights out in Draft League. Riggs will assemble an interesting crew as always,a nd the league will hope against hope for a return of Harlyn P and Jeltz from this franchise’s glory years.
#24 Happy Hands Productions (Division – Thursday B) – Last Season: 9-3: Happy Hands shocked everyone last year by winning 9 games and taking home the Thursday B title. I’ll start them this season as the preseason favorites to repeat. The Munja nd Sasha Northfield have been polishing their skills in Draft League, Lance Cocksure has been practicing here and there, and we haven’t even mentioned Marv Gomez. They’ll be strong on Thursdays.
#23 ICBING (Division – Tuesday B) – Last Season 7-5: These guys probably could fare quite well in Thursday A but they like being in B. They also like shots and lead the league as a team in shots consumed. Peanut Gutter and Fabio are perhaps the best 1-2 punch in B, and they’ve added some excellent drinkers from the free agent market. Two Dogs F’ing has changed his name to Road Beef.
#22 Three Livers (Division – Tuesday B) – Last Season 6-6: Much love to this Original squad entering their seventh BoPo season. Bernie, Pearl and Wilma are all old school crew, but last season they added a young gun in Larry who made a name for himself with a late season surge of 200s and an excellent showdown with Oolie in the Sunday Shootout. They got better throughout the season last year and if they can get off to a faster start they could contend for the Tuesday B title this time out.
#21 Incredibowls (Division – Tuesday B) – Last Season 9-3: Another team with a Media League background. Boston has his WGME team back in the Media Finals looking for a repeat title. They’ll bring back Sweet Baby Lou and the God of Thunder. Boston would love to add a Tuesday B title to his trophy case, and with UREA and Saucy Posse moving up to Thursday A and Tuesday A respectively, they’ll be the favorites to do just that.
That’s it for B division teams and gets us down to the Top 20. Tomorrow will be Draft League playoff writeups. I’ll probably get back to previews on Sunday or Monday.
#34: Lovernauts (Thursday B) – Last Season: 4-8: Rufio is taking over officially as Lovernaut captain this year but hopefully we’ll still be seeing a lot of long time Captain Ichy Love. There have been a lot of rumors about a merger with the 5 O’s, and it made some sense given that they used to be together, but I have no confirmation on that happening so I’ll assume it’s not. The Sanitizer has been working at Bayside some so he may improve his game via osmosis. Someone next to me at the bar tonight said Satchel may be out too, so basically, this team is one big question mark.
#33: Snakes on a Lane (Division TBD) – Last Season: 1-11: The Snakes are dealing with some serious off-lane issues and I’m not even entirely sure they are returning. If they do they’ll move to one of the B divisions and hopefully for them have a more competitive run of things.
#32: No Eye Deer (Tuesday B) – Last Season: 8-4: NED had a solid year last season but they lost their top bowler, Shifter Pawl, to TDYOB. They do have Donzarelli, and Dirty Sylon has been getting some seasoning in the Draft League. Disco Welder will have her hands full trying to repeat last year’s performance, but these guys won’t be pushovers even without Mr. Pawl.
#31: Splits Happen (Tuesday B) – Last Season: 5-7: This team’s ranking has been drastically impacted by a very impressive draft season from their Cap, Xander Rolle. He ended up having the top average for his Draft team and getting them into the playoffs. On paper this ranking ios far too high as their second best bowler, Pinky Winkleton, averaged 125 or so. Wedgehead has been playing in alot of leagues and perhaps he’ll bust out following his Captain’s lead. Who knows, this one’s just a hunch.
BoPo VII is right around the corner. The divisions are finalized. The schedule is finalized (matchups only, not start times). Probably time to start my preseason countdown but before I do a quick public service announcement – enjoy your time on the approach, but don’t make BoPo institute a shot clock. If you’re up there more than 30 seconds it should only be because you are dancing around celebrating a strike you already threw.
Without further ado, the preseason rankings.
#44: Bad News Spares (Thursday B) – Last season: 0-12: They haven’t won in two years, and that was against the defunct Madbotts. Yet this team is always one of the first to register, first to pay, and one of the happiest teams on the lanes each week. Eventually they are going to have a breakout season with 2 or 3 wins, but they won’t be bothered if it doesn’t happen this year. The best part is they’ll still come to the Sunday Shootout, fired up, believing they can pull off the miracle. They have found a great team name and are becoming a BoPo institution.
#43: I.B.S. (Thursday B) – Last Season: 0-12: It’s actually hard to rank the 30-43 teams, but I have to start somewhere. I’ll make that start with I.B.S. simply because they are coming off a winless season. They certainly won’t go winless again having moved to the B division, and they have been aggressive in the free agent market. They signed Lucky and Irish Scotsman away from the suddenly rudderless Young & The Bowled, and seem to have coaxed Oolie out from semi-retirement. Wut What is also serving as the conscience of the league helping us create an upcoming BoPo volunteer night series.
#42: Pinny Candy (Thursday B) – Last Season: 3-9: Pinny Candy is another team making the step down from Thursday A to B, and that is primarily because they lost their hear and soul in Skittles who left to chase a title with BIB. Will Twizzler be able to keep getting Pay Day and Almond Joy to show up, or will he have to turn to sub 100 average bowlers from last year Mr. Big, Kit Kat and Starburst. Too many questions to rank them much higher.
#41: The Rick Vaughn Project (Thursday B) – Expansion Team: Rick Vaughn brings a joy to bowling that can’t be denied, but what will his team bring to the table? He seemed to have a great two year signee in Queenshit winner Bijou Lowry but her Draft LEague attendance rates don’t give them much hope of seeing her often. Colucci Kid has been getting his work in in Restaurant League and now Draft League, so like Ricky he won’t be intimidated by the BoPo stage. Other than that I don’t know their roster. They could make a free agent splash if someone wants to go dominate Thursday B. Whoever they add, with Rick Vaughn captaining they’ll be a fun team to play against and are a welcome addition to the league.
#40: The 5 O’Clocks (Thursday B) - Last Season: 4-8: Former Captain of the Year Tillie managed to squeeze four wins out of last year’s team despite having the second lowest team average in the league. That’s impressive. Also impressive, their wide array of celebratory high fives and moves. Really good stuff to watch. They usually start with a teambuilding team dinner at Bayside before the games which doubtless helps them find ways to win in the close matches. They finished last year on a high note and are looking forward to getting back out there and congratulating each other in new and exciting ways.
#39: Bolwderdash (Thursday B) – Last Season: 3-9: Last year’s disappointing finish in the B league surprised me. Michael Bowlton is also a former COY and certainly improved his own game. Unfortunately K-Ron’s 127 was the team’s second highest average as Dombomb and Fried Bowlogna took steps back. I’m willing to call it just a down year and project they’ll get the team average back up over 500 this year, but the league around them has gotten better too. Still, if they just beat the teams I’ve ranked lower than them they could squeeze out a 5 win season.
#38: Lesbowlians (Thursday B) – Last Season 2-10: Following the logic from my Bowlderdash writeup the Lesbowlians could be ranked 38th and still finish .500 with their Thursday B schedule. This is another team that shows up every week ready to win in spite of their record. They let a few games get away from them last year but sometimes winning yields more winning and if this tea can get on a hot streak they could have a franchise best year. Tilt-A-Whirl continues to put in the time and has been a strong roller in Draft League. She’s also had teammates in here practicing, even on their birthdays.
#37: Cape Fear (Tuesday B) – Last Season 8-4: We finally venture out of Thursday B and to a team that was a strong A team last year. This year’s version of Fear looks totally different, however, jettisoning E-Minor and Dill and bringing back Hard Body. Losing two top bowlers can really rattle a team and I was tempted to rate them lower but it’s possible a team shakeup was just what they needed. While their average will undoubtedly decline they may gel better as a unit. Plus they’re moving down from Thursday A to Tuesday B. Bacon continues to find new players from the fertile Cape Elizabeth recruiting grounds…could someone like Southpaw be next?
#36: Samsquampch Lives (Tuesday B) – Expansion Team: This will be a fun one to watch play out. Squampch was unceremoniously dumped from T-Club when they thought they had signed Deputy. When that deal fell through and his spot reopened, he was long gone, and now will make his debut as a BoPo captain. He should be bringing along a Casco Bay league team and he may thrive in the role of team top bowler. This team will enjoy their first season. The only unfortunate thing is that there is no matchup with T-Club (unless they meet int he playoffs).
#35: Pinups (Tuesday B) – Last Season 4-8 : The Pinups are old pros having been around since BoPo I. They return to old leadership this year as Big Ern retakes the reigns. Last year’s Captain Beaujolais has moved to the expansion Bowled and Beautiful and taken the team’s top average with her. I’m sure Silky Pete and Bulj Temptingly will be excited for the opportunity to step up, and who knows maybe Big Ern even re-signs the Oft Injured Chunk to bring back the good old days.
Blurred Lanes finish alone in 1st. HHH gets 4th over In-N-Out due to head to head win. Clam Hands hold off Alis for last playin spot by 19 pins.
ALL GAMES THURSDAY, DEC 5th.
Play-In Game (practice at 5:15, game starts at 5:30 – 1 game matchup)
Clam Hands Mafia (4-6) vs Bustas (4-6)
1st Round – Early Games
#5 In-N-Out Bowlers (6-4) vs winner Clam Hands/Bustas
#6 Touch Me Ralphie (5-5) vs #11 Shatner Face (5-5)
#7 Preemptive Strives vs #10 Lazercats
#8 Dick’s Picks (5-5) vs #9 Imminent Threat (5-5)
Quarterfinals – Late Games
#1 Blurred Lanes vs winner Dick’s Picks/Imminent Threat
#2 SODA vs winner Preemptive Strikes/Lazercats
#3 Wet Bandits vs winner Touch Me Ralphie/Shatner Face
#4 HHH vs winner In-N-Out/Clam or Bustas
For a few teams this is the last shot. At least until BoPo VII starts up in a month. Speaking of BoPo check the previous post for Division alignment. Teams can start paying their league fees now (same cost as last year $600) and once you’ve paid you can select your preferred bye week if it’s still available.
Early Games
Prestige Worldwide (4-5) -1 vs Shatner Face (4-5): This is the biggest game of the night – winner is in and loser is out. Shifter is likely back to his tug yacht which leaves Shats a little short handed. Xander could cap off his surprising year nicely if he leads his squad to victory anyway. Prestige gets PB&J back and will have one last chance to fine tune their partying to the winning amount. Last week they needed all five points in game three and a leadoff tequila shot (3rd of the night) fired them up and they were off to a big lead. The 4th shot of the night, however, did them in (presaged by D-Wayne Luther’s throat slashing move as the hornitos went to work). Knowing the Dr. they won’t change the formula, they’ll just hope for better results. This would be the perfect game for a bowloff.
Wet Bandits (7-2) -3 vs Tsos (3-6): The Bandits can wrap up the #1 overall seed with a win. There may not be any advantage in that but it’s cool anyway. Stevie Strikes wrapped up top average weeks ago. The Tsos have been a surprising disappointment. The team that looked so good starting 3-0 has lost their last six to fall out of the race. Well, technically they aren’t out. A despondent Oz asked if it was ‘impossible, I mean really impossible’ to make the playoffs, so the answer has to be no. If the Tsos roll a team score of 2599 pins they will be in.
HHH (6-3) -3 vs The Alis (3-6): This game projected to be a classic season finale a few weeks ago. The Twin Towers’ epic duel. Well all the life has been sucked out of this matchup now so expect heavy end of season, meaningless game drinking. Well, it’s not totally meaningless. HHH could conceivably lose their first round bye with a loss. The Alis could even sneak in to the playoffs with a combined pin count of 2016, or a pin count 227 pins higher than whatever the Bustas roll. That may have seemed more likely if Precious had been around. The remaining Ali’s will need to have career nights to salvage a play-in game (where they would get their big guy back).
Touch Me (5-4) -1 vs Bustas (3-6): The Bustas will be more focused on the game next to them than to their own win or loss. A win doesn’t mean anything, they just need to get a team total of 1790 to clinch a play-in, or hold off the next lane over Alis. Bustah and SouthPaw should be able to reach those numbers easily, and Beaujolais is dominating in her other leagues’ playoffs, winning a title Monday night and playing for another tonight. Touch Me is in the middle of the pack with everyone else. They’ll finish somewhere between 3rd and 11th. With little to play for it’s a good chance to get some rest and do some drinking. Maybe Ralphie gets a league 200, that’d be cool.
Late Games
Preemptive Strikes (5-4) -3 vs Eskimo Sistas (3-6): It never really clicked for the Sistas this year. It wasn’t a lost season for Deputy as he patched up his relationship with BoPo cap Uncle Jesse after an ugly free agency period and Belichick to the Jets style signing with and and resignation from Turkey Club. They’ll be back together and contending for a title with 2014 free agent Terry “No Bowling Name” Robinson, a.k.a. TNBNR. The Pre Strikes are still playing for the money. Their Captain has had a bit of a free agency saga as well, quietly stepping away from Linguism and joining Cheddar on Yahtzee!, the third BoPo team name to END WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT!!!!!!!!!! They’ll see you in the playoffs.
Blurred Lanes (7-2) -3 vs Gutterboi (2-7): Long, lost season for the G-Boys. They had the last pick in the 1st round of the draft, their second round pick missed most of the season, just a tough all around run. G-Boy himself has put up some nice numbers, and Mr. Mayor announced himself. McStriker’s squad is cruising, and with some help could wrap up the overall top seed. Either way they are guaranteed a bye into the quarterfinals. The Natro-Dentist-McStriker troika has proved a strong one, with occasional big games from Jewdy. They’re a solid team, and a certain member of the team would insist they are also very, very attractive.
Dick’s Pick’s Vol. III (5-4) -1 vs In-N-Out Bowlers (5-4): Not much to play for in this one. This was supposed to be a twin-down but Coucou will be missing the game. Honey Bunny will have to take it out on her brother in law. McQueen is trying to wrap up a nice top-10 personal finish, Roadhouse too (though he is currently just outside at 11th). That’s a reach for something interesting regarding the bowling in this one, but I do expect a bit of a party game to develop. You know about the only thing that could make this exciting? How about a bowloff! Seriously, no bowloffs? I even got robbed of a bowloff while bartending Monday night when the Diesel vs Billy James playoff bowloff (PLAYOFF BOWLOFF!) turned out to just be a 3 ball affair under CascoBaySports rules. So please, someone tie already.
SODA (6-3) -1 vs LazerCats (5-4): Speak of the Diesel. Slamming-Onyx-Daily Assassins can wrap up a top 4 spot and playoff bye with a win, and slay some of Danny’s Demons. The LazerCats are a team no one will want to play in the playoffs with Bama, Gutterslut and T-$. Just realized, and this has nothing to do with this game, that both Imminent Threats and The Clam Hands Mafia (if the mafia hold on to their pin lead) will have 20 days between games. That doesn’t seem like a good thing. Anyway, I’ll take the angrier SODA to win this one, good depth and more to play for.
Saucy Posse and Cunning Linguists may switch, TBD.
| Tuesday A | Thursday A | |
| Back In Black | Yay! | |
| Sons of Danarchy | Guns of Brighton | |
| BEER | UREA! | |
| Yahtzee! | TDYOB | |
| Cunning Linguists | Young & Bowled | |
| Bingas | B.U.I. | |
| Off Constantly | Saucy Posse | |
| Nutz | L.O.S. | |
| XXX Club | Snakes On A Lane | |
| Strikes of Hazzard | Saw | |
| Tuesday B | Thursday B | |
| The Brads | Happy Hands | |
| Incredibowls (late) | Clockwork Oranges | |
| No Eye Deer | Guacabowle | |
| ICBING | Roll Another | |
| My Balls | 5 O’Clocks | |
| 3 Livers | Lovernauts | |
| Splits Happen | Bowlderdash | |
| DGUTS (late) | Lesbowlians | |
| Pinups | Bad News Spares | |
| squampchs | I.B.S. | |
| Wrecking Balls | rick v (late) | |
| Cape Fear | Pinny Candy | |
Wet Bandits and Blurred Lanes have clinched 1st round byes.
SODA and HHH clicnh first round byes with wins next week.
All the 5-4 teams and Imminent Threats at 5-5 are in.
Prestige Worldwide plays Shatner Face – winner gets the #11 seed, loser is out of the playoffs
Ali’s need 2017 pins to beat Clam Hands in average for the play-in game. Busta’s have the other play-in spot locked up.
What a cool scene for the end of the MIST tourney here on Sunday. The visiting bowlers fully embraced the BoPo energy (how could they not) and the tourney director said afterward it was the most electric atmosphere they had ever bowled in. Plus record turnout. Good times, Bayside and BoPo are on the bowling map. How about that?
Tonight we’ll be filling in a few more playoff spots, and the early teams will be sharing the lanes with a 6 lane company party! Good early games to watch though.
Early Games
Blurred Lanes (6-2) -3 vs Alis (3-5): Time is running out for the Alis. I don’t see any team name suddenly arising at this point and as I mentioned earlier, all the nameless teams are 11-22. Precious made a big run at the weekend tourney but now needs another monster night just to keep his team in contention. The Alis probably didn’t want to draw Blurred Lanes for an opponent as they are as hot as any team right now. Maybe Ali brings in Coco to mess with Natro. I think McStriker will put this one away herself, keep the team in the chase for the #1 overall seed and push Alis to the brink of elimination.
HHH (5-3) -1 vs Lazercats (5-3): The second game listed here between women captains. Ladies night, and the bowling’s right. The Lazercats have rebounded nicely from a slow start and now are just jockeying for a 1st round bye. Bama’s two 250+ games last week make me think he’s back. He’ll be flying up the stats page again I’m guessing. HHH is also already in the playoffs but want the bye. Hexy and T-Square could determine this one directly with their head to head bowling and keep it out of the hands of Double Cheese and Bama.
Bustas (3-5) -1 vs Imminent Threat (4-5): A couple more teams pushing everyone out of their way in a mad scramble for the last seat in the playoff lifeboat. For the Threat this is it, their last game of the year. They can feel pretty comfortable watching from the sidelines next week if they finish 5-5, but 4-6 would leave them pained by the math they’d be trying to do watching results in Week 11. The Bustas are currently .7 pins in average out of a play-in spot. Win or lose they just need to post some big numbers. They’re hoping 1st round pick Bijou Lowrie is able to make it with time running out on their season.
Late Games – five of ‘em!
Clam Hands Mafia (3-6) -1 vs Shatner Face (4-4): It’s the last, sticky stand for the Hands. A loss pretty much ends their hopes (unless they post huge numbers). They’ll try to put their hands in the Shatner Face and break through for a season saving win. The S-Face crew has somehow managed to be .500 behind a surprisingly strong season from their top roller, Xander Rolle. They’d like nothing more than to continue their improbable run. Maybe Shifter will be there for them fresh off his dominant performance on Sunday. Or he’ll be at work, guiding giant ships safely through the harbor (which seems even more improbable than Shatner Face’s strong season).
In-N-Out Bowlers (4-4) -1 vs Eskimo Sistas (3-5): Realistically this is the last stand for The Deputy. He may not care since he’s also busy playing in his Yankee league and he’s also giddy about bringing in Terry “No Bowling Name” Robinson for BoPo’s Strikes of Hazzard, but he’ll bowl well regardless. He’s got a great poker face. In-N-Out has beaten 3 playoff teams, and lost to some teams outside looking in. McQueen would tell you INO will lose, because they’re favored. On the other hand The Dude looked great last week with a 203 average. Either way it will likely be the 6th 8-7 game INO has played.
SODA (5-3) -3 vs G-Boys (2-6): It’s been a tough season for Gutterboi’s crew and his team is basically playing spoiler now. As he showed on Sunday, however, an eliminated Gutterboi is good for the tourney because he’ll be every other player’s caddy, adviser and one man hype crew. SODA is already in the playoffs behind some strong Diesel. Coco Lopez and the Yay boys have been doing some heavy lifting as well. The Soldiers are ready for battle.
Prestige Worldwide (4-4) -1 vs Touch Me Ralphie (4-4): A huge game for both teams and one of the more interesting ones. PW has been living it up on lanes 1&2 and hanging around at .500 even with the lowest average in the league. Tonight they should have the whole party squad back together and will be giving their waitress a workout with bar orders. Touch Me has overcome the bullying scandal and now just need to get back to winning. The team has great depth, with Dwayne Luther now an established figure and Booth have a career season. Ralphie likes being picked to lose. So does Thunder. Hmm.
Dick’s Picks Vol. III (5-3) -3 vs Preemptive Strikes (4-4):
Dick’s ‘blast shield’ night helped turn his season around and so hopefully he bowls in it again soon. His team is still a top tier team with a real look at the league title. Bowldemort has parlayed his good Kingshit performances into a Draft League spot, and has turned a good Draft League season into a BoPo roster spot on a Tuesday A team. Roadhouse has been making a statement for XXX Club as well. The Pre Strikes need this one more, but it’s a tough matchup. Ishmael has had back to back excellent weeks and is within 1.5 pins of his team Captain in average. Tilt-A-Whirl has quietly had a strong season as well. The Strikes are made up of very disparate pieces, and it would take a master stroke of captaining to put this puzzle together. That said the pieces on their own are strong enough to be competitive even if loosely assembled.
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