Fall 2011 - Week 12 Preview / Gambling Lines

Well, work caught up with me last week, and I didn't have enough time to bang out a gambling lines post. My apologies to the 5-6 people who actually read it and missed it. But the past is the past. I've made some time this week, so let's go ahead and take a look at the action on tap for week 12.

As always, make your picks in the comments below. If you predict 8 out of 9 games correct, vs. the spread, you'll earn yourself some free suds at Luckie's next week! Good luck! 

5 O'Clockers (-1.5) vs. Burning Bridges (+1.5)

Travis Cobb and the Bridges are looking
forward to their big week 12 showdown.

Right off the bat at 6:30, we have the main event. Here are the stakes. Burning Bridges is the only team left to lose a game (7-0-2). As a rookie team (to WAKA at least), the Bridges have benefited from a favorable schedule that has steered them clear of many of the top tier in the league. In fact, their 3-3 tie against JFK is the only game they've had against a team in the top 5 of the Coaches Poll. Not really their fault, of course. They can only play who is lined up against them. And play they have. The Bridges have out shined their opponents.They're averaging the second most runs per game (6.68 rpg) and have given up the least amount of runs (1.11 rapg). Lately though, the Bridges have started to come down to earth a little bit. They're last two games were a 3-0 win over Foul Balls and a 5-2 win over Chubby. Of course, a win is a win, but the fact that those games were as close as they were is a warning sign (FB and CG are 1-16-1 overall, with -80 run differential). If the Bridges are going to pull the upset, their offense will have to bring their A game.

Paul Phan is one of the many
dangerous legs in the Clocker
offense.

The Clockers are enjoying a rebirth this season as a competitive force. I mentioned above the impressive numbers that the Bridgers have put up so far. Well, the Clockers aren't far behind. They have the 3rd highest runs per game (6.38 rpg) and the 3rd best defense (1.63 rapg) while posting a 6-1-1 record. What makes this stand out the most is that it's been accomplished against a very difficult schedule. Since dropping their first game against Lick It in week 1, the 5OC has racked up convincing wins against JFK, Shake N Bake, and the Jagernauts. With this resume, the Clockers have got to be the clear favorites.

An upset win for Burning Bridges will put them in the driver's seat for the number 1 seed in the end of season tournament, with their final game against Free Ballin. For the Clockers, the win would give them at least a share of the division lead with rivals VD, whom they tied earlier in the year... But the top spot in the standings isn't the only thing on the line in this match. Bragging rights will be at stake as well. The Clockers' Head Coach Britney Travis and BB Head Coach Philip Baltzis are very close friends dating back to their days at Bethel High School. In fact, Briters and her 5OC teammates were instrumental in recruiting the Bridges to the big leagues, WAKA VA Peninsula. If the Burners knock the Clockers off the throne, she may come to regret it.

Baltzis is close with Britney Travis, Courtney Travis and Courtney Efird.

Jagernauts (-5.5) vs. Jiminy Kicks-It (+5.5)

JKI's Rich Crawford's ERA took some
damage in week 11.

In week 10, JKI pulled out a big victory over Battlestar Ballsacktica. As they went into their week 11 double header, they were hoping to continue the momentum. But as Lee Corso would say, "Not so fast, my friend." JKI was beat down by a combined score of 31-2 against JFK and Lick It (admittedly two of the league's premier teams). Now in week 12, they will be hoping to rediscover the formula that lead them to success against BB, while avoiding the mistakes that buried them last week... Jager is coming off a thrilling 5-5 draw against Kick Ass. They couldn't quite put away the KA offense. I'm sure that GM Justin Littell will have his squad focused on putting away the Kick Its.

New Kickheads (+1) vs. Rumspringa (-1)
NKotB looked good for a couple of innings against SnB before the wheels fell off, giving up 9 of their 13 runs allowed in the 4th inning alone. While SnB does have a prolific offense, much of the damage was self inflicted, unforced errors. If NKotB can avoid the nightmare inning, they'll be in this game, as I think they match up well with 'Springa. If they don't, it'll be another long night. Springa is just starting to find their groove after a rough start to the year. They've won two out of their last three games and re-emerged in the Coaches Top 10 poll. Another victory here against a quality NKotB squad may give them just a little bit more confidence headed into the tourney in 10 days.

Shake N Bake (-11.5) vs. Foul Balls (+11.5)
Beware the Foul Balls (vs. the spread).

Chubby Gangsters (+1.5) vs. Free Ballin' (-1.5)

Pilz is listed as questionable on the Free
Ballin' injury report. 

The Gangbanger's Keith Morehart was at it again on the Facebook group this week, once again predicting a Chubby victory. "The Chubby Gangsters will improve to 'two and something' this coming Wednesday. Mark it. Accept it. Embrace it."

Morehart's confidence probably received a boost after the Gangsters played well against first place Burning Bridges, losing 5-2. If they stay consistent again this week, they can definitely pull the upset. Free Ballin' is a team that started out red hot, but has lost 2 out of their last 3 games by heavy margins. There goal has to be righting the ship against the Gangsters.

Free Ballin' may be aided by the return of SP Jon Pilz. Pilz underwent major knee surgery in the offseason, and was not expected to play this Fall. However, last week, with the team shorthanded, Pilz was activated from the DL and started the game against the Clockers. His availability is not certain, as HC Mary Katherine Evans has kept his status closely guarded. If he can play, and play close to 100% effective, he'll present a challenge for the Chubby Gangster offense to solve.

Ok, I'm going to plow through the rest of these due to time constraints...

Vicious & Delicious (-9.5) vs. Battlestar Ballsactica (+9.5)
A lot of attention is being placed on the big first place showdown between the Clockers and Bridges, but no one should overlook VD. They're playing some of their best kickball right now and are looking like a team focused on getting their name engraved on the Wentworth Trophy once again.

BB's Nicole Plesha will have a chance to get revenge on VD's Wilson
Gideon for his despicable bunny ears sneak attack in week 11. 

Lick It Before You Kick It (-3.5) vs. Kick Ass (+3.5) 
I was impressed by Kick Ass' resiliency last week, as they kept coming back against the 'Nauts. The Asses have a lot of talent, and seem to be putting it together. This match with one of the league's most experienced teams will be a good litmus test to see just how far they've come.

Chicken Tetrazzini (+10.5) vs Just For Kicks (-10.5)
JFK has been on a tear. Chicken Tetrazzini will have to play out of their minds to pull this one off.

Vicious & Delicious (-7.5) vs. Free Ballin' (+7.5)
In two games against top 5 teams (5OC and SnB), Free Ballin' has lost by an average margin of 8 runs.

photos courtesy of Mary Katherine Evans, Free Ballin'