Fall 2011 - Week 13 Gambling Lines

Hey guys, don't have a lot of time to do an in-depth preview (stupid day job wants me to actually help people save their homes), so this is going to be a quick capsule / preview for each game.

As always, correctly predict 8/9 against the spread in the comments below and you'll earn a pitcher at Luckie's! Last chance for free beer! 

#5 Shake N Bake (+1) vs. #2 Just For Kicks (-1)
Big match up for both teams with playoff implications. Both teams are currently locked in a tie for 4th place at 7-2-1. A win would guarantee at lesst the four seed, and could bump the victor up as high as second if VD or the Clockers stumble. A loss would drop either JFK or SnB down to sixth seed. With both teams stocked with talent, and with the stakes high, look for these squads to bring their A games.

#6 Lick It Before You Kick It (-2) vs. #7 Jagernauts (+2)
Lick It got stung by Kick Ass in week 12, and if I know them (which I do), they'll be looking to bounce back and make a statement in their final regular season game. The statement won't come easy, as the Jagers have been playing some solid kickball lately, going 3-1-1 in their last 5. A big game for the 'Nauts would give them a big boost going into the tourney, and a top seven seed.

Jiminy Kicks-It (+3.5) vs. #7 Kick Ass (-3.5)
Classic trap game. Kick Ass is coming off a big win against Lick It, and have been on cloud nine all week. Word is that captain Manny Anderson was popping champagne bubbly in the KA clubhouse all week in celebration. But if they think they can just show up and JKI will just roll over, well, ok, they might. But they might not either. Could be a close game.

New Kickheads (+10.5) vs. #1 5 O'Clockers (-10.5) 
This will be Courtney Efird's first game against her former team since defecting in free agency to the Clockers. NKotB always plays their best against former teammates, however, they'll have their hands full this week against the coaches' top ranked team. The Clockers are focused on winning the Wentworth Trophy and earning their bid to the Founders Cup. Don't expect to see the Clockers stumble against NKotB.

#5 Vicious & Delicious (-4) vs. Rumspringa (+4)
VD stumbled in their week 12 double header. They looked disorganized and uncharacteristically sloppy in tying Battlestar and barely escaping with a win against Free Ballin'. The question is whether this was just an off week for the defending champs or is this a sign of deeper issues? We shouldn't have to wait too long, because if they don't come out ready to ball on Wednesday, the surging 'Springa will make them pay. A good showing against VD is just what 'Springa needs to give them a boost headed into the weekend. Although, breaking news on Facebook indicates that SP Matt Wellbrock and C Troy Southall are both questionable for week 13.

#10 Free Ballin' (+5.5) vs. #3 Burning Bridges (-5.5)
When this game was originally scheduled on September 21st, both of these teams were undefeated. Free Ballin was 3-0-1 and Burning was 4-0-1. What a difference seven weeks makes. Since then, Burning Bridges has continued their winning (and occasionally tying ways), while Free Ballin' has been on a slide, losing 3 out of their last 4. An upset over the 1st place, Bridges would definitely go a long way towards reversing their fortunes. But it won't come easy. Burning Bridges has shown they are legit contenders.


Chubby Gangsters (+4.5) vs. #1 5 O'Clockers (-4.5)
Week 12 was a week of upsets, so it's easy to forgive the kickball media if the Gangsters 2-1 victory over Free Ballin' didn't get a lot of hype. The 2-7-1 Chubby Gangsters are flying under the radar right now, and maybe that's the way they would prefer it. This is still the same core team that went 10-2 last season. With their underachieving all season, they'll likely be matched up with one of the elite teams in the first round. This game against the Clockers will be a good test run to prepare them for Saturday morning.

Chicken Tetrazzini (-0.5) vs. Foul Balls (+0.5)
The Foul Balls franchise is one of only 5 teams to hold the Wentworth Trophy, but have fallen on hard times lately. In fact, they haven't won a game since April 6th. A span of 20 straight losses. And although they've come close here and there, this week represents their best chance at picking up a victory in a long time. They square off against 15th place Chicken Tetrazzini, who have been struggling this Fall after earning a respectable .500 record in the Spring. They have a lot of talent and experience on the team, but can't seem to put together 5 solid innings. This should be a good game between two fun teams both looking for rare Ws.

#9 Battlestar Ballsacktica (-2.5) vs. New Kickheads (+2.5)
One of the Peninsula's best rivalries. The core of the Ballsacks broke into the league in the Fall of 2010 with the New Kicks on the Block. Andy Tapley broke away from the team in the Spring and founded the Battlestar, and since then both teams have had an eye on beating the other. In their first meeting last season, the Kickheads won convincingly 6-3. No doubt, the Ballsacks, fresh off their best game of the season (tying VD 3-3), will be looking to even the score against Amanda Hassell and their former running mates.