Bubble Teams

As it gets closer to tourny time for the House League the talk over who the top seeds should be is heating up. It's fun to kick around who belongs in the top 16, who should be #1, are the usual suspects there, but what about the teams hanging on for dear life? What about the Bubble Teams?

Going over the middle of the pack standings, there are some teams that stick out to me as being on the bubble and potentially on their way OUT:

1. Jolly Rogers - barely inside the buffer zone and with a game against a team ranked so low a win might even hurt them, and a game against another bubble team in the Liberal Agenda, the Rogers could be on the outside looking in, or at least counting on one of the slots currently held by a team with less than 10 games played to open up for them.

2. Liberal Agenda - conversely if they drop the game to the Jolley Rogers, and lose to the Dragon Slayers, they may become one of those Green teams conserving gas by not trekking out to Fairfax.

3. Strike Place Market - this team is reeling after back to back losses, it's looking more and more like they will have to win that Washington state matchup with WAsabi to make the cut outright.

4. Hired Guns - sitting on the very edge, a loss to the Milestones in their last game of the season could be the straw that breaks the camels back and ousts them. It will be a tougher game than they think.

5. Bases Loaded - with a tough 3 game stretch coming up, they could easily drop all 3 and find themselves well down in the lower 50's.


Teams waiting to get IN:

1. Big Sticks - possibly already in with the 10 game rule, BS has an easy matchup against Stimulus Package and then a big game against MB to close out the season. Even if they go 1-1 they could still make it, 2-0 they are a lock.

2. Big Riggin - all they have to do is beat 18th Amendment and then cruise to the finish line. They may be tougher than it seems, but I think they can do it.

3. Kansas - with one game left against a higher ranked Bases Loaded, a game I think they can win, that will put them at 10 and inside the loop to pick up one of the vacated spots.

4. Not rocket Scientists - with 4 easy match ups left, they could glide into the playoff picture with consistent performances. They should make it out to Fairfax.

5. Xunshine Staters - unknown to many, this team is good and on a roll. If they can manage upsets of the Destroyers and Scared hitless, which is possible, they'll make the cut. This is my long-shot pick to make it.

These are just a few of the Bubble Teams out there, and with the way the RPI is calculated it's nearly impossible to predict this outcome, but it's always good to spread a little ink to the middle teams. They're as big a part of the league as anyone else.

Who's #1?

Who's #1 in the House League right now? Well, a lot of teams would like to claim they are. Dead Presidents have been sitting firmly at #1 for some time now, and seem content to ride out the season there with only one more Late August game against the Big Lebowskis. That said, their average rank of opponents is only 36, which is fairly weak comparatively.

And how about those Big L's anyway? Sitting at an average opponent rank of 23, they are one of the hottest teams out there. Tearing through teams at a 23 run per game clip since their loss to another top end contender, the Insliders. The Dude thinks his team is #1, just read the message boards.


Where do the Insliders sit? Seemly on pace to breeze through the regular season and firmly planted in the #2 seed, the Inslider were hailed as possibly the best team in the league. That didn't seem to phase the upstart Dragon Slayers who edged by the Insliders and almost effectively bumped LNF's motly crew out of this conversation. With a half a month left, they could bounce back, they did beat DGS who was also at one point talked of as the creme de la creme.

Don Johnson are sitting #2 right now, but with only 5 games played and no particularly awe inspiring victories in those five, they've got work to do before they can don the mantle of best in the league.

Texas Republic may have the best case. In spite of a blatantly weak overall schedule, they are doing what good teams should do and putting up 21 runs a game against the weak teams. On top of that, they do hold an edge over the Big Lebowskis after a solid beat down of the Dude and the Jesus in week 1. They certainly factor into this conversation and may be the front runner for #1 overall.

The last team in consideration has to be Potomac Fever. Not only are they currently stuffing their opponents with a remarkable 3 runs per game allowed over their last 9 contests, but they have the history to back them up. Always a top contender in the regular season and the playoffs Pot Fever has a rightful claim to #1. If they polish off the Keystoners, Blue Pups, DGS and the Insliders to finish out the season, they will be the best team, hands down.

So you've got historical powers performing, you've got new powers making their claims, you've got great teams beat by great teams beat by other great teams who were beat by the first great teams. There are enough twists and turns in the "who's #1 conversation" to make a roller coaster junky puke. Not being afraid to take the criticism, I'll leave you with my #1 and then round out the top 5.

#1 - Texas Republic - at 10-0, with some of the best offensive and defensive numbers out there, not to mention they are sitting on a solid victory over the second hottest team the Big L, they belong here.

#2 - Big Lebowskis - yes they have two losses, yes they are obnoxious, yes they are good. No team is hotter, or possibly playing better right now.

#3 - Potomac Fever - if they go 4-0 to end the season, they are hands down the #1 team in the House league, they could already be.

#4 - Dead Presidents - time to get off their asses and prove themselves.

#5 - Insliders - they still have time to bounce back and climb this list, beat Pot Fever and their well on their way.

Big Games Highlight Big Week

There will certainly be no lack of excitement this week with a plethora of big games on the radar and possibly none as impacting as this weeks House site game of the week with the Big Lebowskis taking on the Dukes of Haphazzard. This game will almost surely produce an elite champion waiting to claim their 1st round by come playoffs. If you think this game of the week is going to be a thriller, there are several other match ups that might catch your interest.

Playmates v. Potomac Fever - As Hef prepares his playmates to back up some recent smack talk, Potomac Fever is quietly positioning themselves for yet another shot at playoff glory.

FDA v. Saints - what happened to these two teams? Both used to be feared in leagues, now they both are on the verge of missing the playoffs, being a must win for both teams, this game has some potential to be a great one.

DGS v. Raucus Caucus - I don't know if their for real, but a quality win over the Dragon Slayers has the Rauc making some noise on the message boards. DGS is coming off a tough loss and will be looking to dispatch the Caucus and regain their composure.

Destroyers v. Homers - this may not look like much on the outside, but the Homers are a quality squad and the Destroyers have proven themselves to be a formidable force on the diamond giving this face off all the makings of a classic.

Milwaukees Best v. Vito Power - Previously the game of the week, but rained out. These two teams get another shout out as they are both fighting for 1st round byes.

How about those match ups for excitement? Well, that was just Monday and Tuesday.

Un Do's v. Affairs Not Relations - These two middle of the pack teams match up very well and this could turn into a very close game. Both are trying to stay in the Top 30 and they'll need a win to do it.

Potomac Fever v. Vito Power - this very easily could have been the game of the week, both teams on a roll, both teams capable of winning the playoffs, this is a must see game.

Dragon Slayers v. Insliders - you want defense? these two teams got it. Both showcase fantastic leather on the field with some strong bats to support it. This could be an upset special.

There are at least another 5 or 6 games that I could list on here that are sure to be great match ups, but I am going to end my preview by highlighting the "Softball Guys Game of the Week"....that game is...

Channel 4 News Team v. AgFASilitators - folks, softball may not get any more pure than this. The cream of the beer league (well, not really beer, that would be illegal, more so "special beverage league") crop face off in a clash of titans. Classy meets perfection in this battle and I can guarantee you one thing, both teams will be sporting more spiles and drinking more beer than any other team in the Cap Lounge come Thursday night. This is what it's all about.