Written by: Rich Alvarez
The early round playoff pressure is ON, as it's one and you're done from here on out. While most experienced teams can handle the pressure, there are often intangible factors that can swing a team from a guaranteed win to an upset loss. The Kickball Gods are fickle and enjoy throwing road blocks in front of teams with a full head of momentum.
Within the Wreck Division, #1 Pitch Please has proven to be one of the best within that group. They not only ended the season with a 7-1 record, but they finished with the best offense, scoring a healthy 62 Runs Scored and are currently in a three way tie for best defense with only 18 Runs Allowed. By far one of the more talented teams, they have some players that could easily be heavy hitters within the King of Kickball division. Pitch Please decimated their weaker opponents and played tight, competitive games against their equal counterparts They cruised by their competition all except for one team...the Kickaholics, who turned their undefeated season into a one loss season.
The Kickaholics finished the season with a 3-5 losing record and just barely made the playoffs. Their offense numbers were respectable with 46 Runs Scored, but their defensive numbers were less than impressive with 47 Runs Allowed. Their saving grace has to be the talent on that squad. There is potential to turn that team into a winner, but it's going to take some work. However, they still hold the ability to be spoilers in the playoffs. During their regular season match-up with Pitch Please, they were able to manage a 9-8 win. Although it wasn't a dominating performance, they were able to outscore an offensive juggernaut in Pitch Please. Which is the Kickaholics only weapon, because their defense is almost non-existent. However roster and attendance issues are a constant on going problem.
In short, the Kickaholics will need their defense to minimize the damage that will come at the hands of Pitch Please. They have the ability to score runs and may get into a shoot out with Pitch Please, but their defense will be the deciding factor.
On the flip side, all Pitch Please has to do is continue to execute like they have all season long. They are the better team and just need to push through into the next round.
Another possible early round upset, could surprisingly happen to King of Kickball #2 I'd Hit It. That statement could be considered borderline blasphemous within some Kickball Nation circles considering they've had an impressive season. Although their offense is considered on-par with 24 Runs Scored on the season, the real story has to be their defense which was able to hold the entire division to 6 Runs Allowed. Along with solid shut-out wins against Kixxx, Smoking Aces, and New Kicks on the Block. However the one team that has been giving IHI trouble has been the Scoregasms.
The Scoregasms obviously wanted to have a better season than 1-6-1, but they may have a small, tiny glimmer of hope as they drew IHI for their 1st round playoff. Which sounds ludicrous to say, but IHI is one of the teams that they have competed against strongly, aside from beating #8 Suck My Kick.
I'd Hit It and the Scoregasms met each other twice during the regular season. Their first match-up ended in a 1-0 win for IHI and their second match-up was an interesting 2-2 tie between the squads. Although unlikely, if this trend continues, you may see the Scoregasms stun Kickball Nation an remove a potential King of Kickball champion in I'd Hit It. Will see if IHI looks past the Scoregasms. If they do, it may prove fatal.
Well that's all for now...Good Luck and Happy Kicking!
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