Fall 2011 - Week 10 Gambling Lines / Game Previews

Kickballers, the weather looks great for some action tomorrow. After (another) week off due to rain, we have a full slate of 9 games on the schedule for week 10. Let's run down the match ups.

As always, correctly choose 8 out of 9 games against the spread and earn a free pitcher at Luckie's next week! 


New Kickheads (+2.5) vs. #9 Kick Ass (-2.5)
Last spring, NKotB head coach Amanda Hassell scored quite the pickup when she recruited rookie Manny Anderson. Anderson debuted with a splash and stood out as one of the most athletic players in VA Peninsula, as he helped the Kickheads jump out to a 5-1 start. The wheels fell off for the Spring squad though, as they lost their remaining 6 games, and were bounced from the first round of the tournament by Moose Knuckles. Manny than decided to bolt for greener pastures, choosing to found the expansion team, Kick Ass. Anderson did a great job of assembling a squad that is short on experience, but with great athleticism. KA has really started to find their legs. In their most recent game, the Asses came within inches of upsetting VD. This will be the first meeting between Manny and his former team. NKotB has under performed expectations, however a win over their former teammate would mean a lot to them, I'm sure.

Manny with the Kickheads in the Spring.

Jiminy Kicks-It (+7.5) vs. #10 Battlestar Ballsacktica (-7.5)
JKI's outfield got torched in their lopsided 18-2 loss to Rumspringa. Perhaps no team in the league is better at kicking away than Battlestar Ballsacktica, so look for this crucial matchup. If the JKI outfield has as many holes as it did against 'Springa, the Ballsacks will be on their way to a rout.

Chicken Tetrazzini (+3) vs. #8 Free Ballin' (-3)
Free Ballin' had gone over two months into the Fall season without suffering a loss, until they met up with Shake N Bake a couple weeks ago. After a couple of close innings, SnB turned up the heat and dropped 8 runs on the Ballers. This week will be the first game for Free since that humbling loss, and it will be worth noting how they respond. Will they bounce back and resume their winning ways, or will they stumble against the veteran Angry Birds?

#6 Shake N Bake (+1.5) vs. #4 Lick It Before You Kick It (-1.5)
The annals of history are littered with epic tales of former best friends turned rivals. Caesar vs. Brutus. Eazy-E vs. Dr. Dre. Savage vs. Hogan. Barksdale vs. Bell. Wentworth vs. Kiriazidis.

For 8 seasons, The Emperors Club was the dominant force on the Peninsula kickball scene. The VIPs amassed a record of 70-12-6 and won 4 league championships during this time. The dynasty ended abruptly at the end of the Spring 2011 season, as internal conflict between co-founders Brent Wentworth (3rd Person Alert!) and George Kiriazidis came to a head. The team dissolved, with the majority of the players split between the expansion teams, Lick It Before You Kick It (captained by GK and ex-VIP Amy Lowe), and Shake N Bake. In fact, this Wednesday's game between Lick It and SnB could potentially include up to 11 VIP alumni spread between both sides. With all of them, no doubt, very focused on winning the battle.

But aside from the interpersonal politics and drama aside, this game is an important one, as both teams are currently jockeying for position near the top of the standings. LIBYKI has amassed a record of 5-1 an sits at 2nd place. A win over SnB, combined with a Burning Bridges tie or loss, would give them sole possession of first place with just 4 games remaining and a favorable schedule. Their final 4 opponents are a combined 8-17-1. They'd be in the driver's seat for the #1 seed, in other words. Meanwhile, with a high powered offensive attack, the Bakers have earned a 4-2-1 record and are looking to make an ascent up the table. A win here would be a big boost to the squad's efforts, while a loss would drop them securely to the middle of the pack.

If you aren't playing or reffing at 7:30 this week, than this will be the game to watch.

Other notes: It is unknown if SnB's 1B Patrick Jones will be active for the game against Lick It. On Saturday, Jones celebrated the birth of his first child. General Manager Jeffrey Scott has not commented as to whether the team will grant Jones paternity leave for the important mid-season contest or if Jones will be in uniform on Wednesday.

#3 Just For Kicks (-5.5) vs. Chubby Gangsters (+5.5)

After the Gangbangers earned a wild win against Foul Balls two weeks ago, the CG's Keith Morehart guaranteed a victory in their next game. He even went as far as to wager a pitcher of beer at Luckie's if the Gangsters failed. This bet didn't look too bad when they were scheduled to face NKotB last week. However, that game was rained out. With JFK on deck for week 10, Morehart probably should bring his wallet with him to Luckie's.




#5 Burning Bridges (-12.5) vs. Foul Balls (+12.5)
The league's top scoring offense (7.43 runs per game) against the league's 3rd to last defense (7 runs allowed per game). I predict that Burning Bridges will light up the scoreboard this week (Get it? Burning? light up? Whatever. Fuck you.)

Jagernauts (+3.5) vs. Vicious & Delicious (-3.5)
The Jagernauts defense has struggled a bit this season, as they've given up an uncharacteristic 5 runs per game. When you break it down further, they are 0-3 with 7.33 runs allowed against teams ranked higher than them in the coaches' poll. While their week 8 double header sweep against CT and NKotB certainly has the team's spirits high, they'll need to find a way to shut down a VD team that is as dangerous as they come. With a great mix of speed and power, the defending Wentworth Trophy champions aggressive offensive attack will put pressure on the 'Naut defense. Will the Jagers rise to the occasion or fold like a table cloth?

Rumspringa (+5.5) vs. #1 5 O'Clockers (-5.5)
'Springa has been having a rough season, starting 0-4-2 before breaking out in a big way against JKI with an 18-2 victory. Runs won't be as easy to come by against the top ranked Clockers. The Clockers defense, lead by P Daniel Reyes, Ch Randy Devlin, and C Adam Flowers are 3rd in the league in runs allowed per game (1.83 rapg). The top of the order for Rumspringa is better than the average team, but with a deep lineup, the top may only have one shot at doing some damage. The Smurfs' key to victory will be the production they get from the 7th through 38th kickers. They don't need to score runs necessarily, but if they can get on base and move through the order, they'll give their talented kickers at the top another shot. Of course, none of it will matter if they can't contain a potent Clocker offense that scored 5.5 runs per game.

#4 Lick It Before You Kick It (-11.5) vs. Foul Balls (+11.5)
This very well could be a preview of the first round of the playoffs. I'd be surprised if this one is close, but if LIBYKI sleeps on the Foulies after expending all their focus on the big SnB match, than you never know...