Mutts 1st to clinch division, Opihi clinch berth, while the Freedom clinch #1 pick
 

Frenzy Playoff Picture Beginnning to Emerge

The defending champion 8-5 Wonder Mutts have essentially clinched the Central Division this weekend. The Wonder Mutts have eliminated the 7-6 Jersey Toxic Waste and the Liquid Swords despite them both only being 1 game back. The Toxic Waste cannot win the division since they can do no better than 1-1 against the Mutts (with a win over them next week) and 3-3 in the division. The Mutts can do no worse than 4-2 in the division. So they knock out Jersey on the 2nd tiebreaker no matter what. As for the 7-6 Liquid Swords, they can finish no better than 8-6, and even if the Mutts lose and fall to 8-6, they lose out on the 3rd tie-breaker, which is points... the Mutts have an insurmountable 300+ point edge there.

The 10-3 Opihi have also clinched a berth in the post-season, despite losing for the 2nd time this year to the feisty 9-4 Parkwood Predators;who ended Hawaii's 9 game winning streak in the cold confines of snowy Buffalo. The Opihi can clinch the Eastern division and the #1 seed in the playoffs with a win next week or a Predator loss, however, if they somehow lose to the 2-11 Philadelphia Freedom, and the Preds win next week, the Predators will win the Eastern Division and the #1 seed.

Out West, it's still a jumbled mess and nothing is certain. We may have a better clue after tonights game. The 7-5 Insects are teetering on the edge of being eliminated, barring a huge game from Shaun Alexander and TE Jerremy Stevens. If the Insects fail to come up with 48+ points tonight, they will be elminated from post-season activities, and the Predators will clinch a berth, with the Western Division decided next week when the 7-5 Dodgers and 7-5 Squirrels face off with the winner in and the loser out. If the Insects do pull out the win, however, the division and possibly the wildcard will be totally up for grabs.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Freedom's loss to the 5-8 Undead has ensured that they will receive the #1 pick overall in the 2006 Rookie Draft. The only team that can equal their dismal 11 losses is the
3-10 Derby Cars, but seeing as the Freedom lost to SBDC earlier in the season, they have wrapped up the Reggie Bush derby. That means the Philadelphia Freedom can play spolier next week without affecting their draft position! If the Freedom can pull off an upset over the Opihi, they will potentially knock them down to a wild card (that is, if the Preds can win again next week). So even the last place team has something to play for next week!

Re: Mutts 1st to clinch division, Opihi clinch berth, while the Freedom clinch #1 pick
 

Thanks for the recap, Mike! And once again, my OPIHI take home the "L" vs. your Preds. But everything starts new in the playoffs!

Re: Mutts 1st to clinch division, Opihi clinch berth, while the Freedom clinch #1 pic
 

Post Monday night update.

The Predators have clinched at least a Wild Card berth, and still have a slim shot at the #1 seed if they can win next week and the struggling Freedom can find a way to knock off the Opihi.

Out West, the Insects are out of the playoff hunt after losing to the Dodgers. The Western Division title will come down to the Dodgers h2h meeting against the Squirrels. Despite their 7-6 record, the Squirrels can win the division if they they can beat the Dodgers next week based on the 3rd tie-breaker which is Total Points. BDSC leads the Dodgers by over 100 points in that area, thus the winner of their meeting will win the division.

As for Playoff Seeding and matchups, they are somewhat clearer. The Opihi and the Predators will be the 1 and 4 seeds, the question is who is what. That will be decided by who wins the Eastern Division next week.

The 2nd and 3rd seeds are also up in the air, if the Dodgers win next week, they will claim the 2nd seed and will host the Mutts week 15, however, if BDSC wins they will win the Western Division, and the 2nd playoff seed will then depend on the Mutts winning or losing against Jersey next week. A Mutts win and BDSC win would give the Mutts the 2nd seed and BDSC the 3rd, whereas a Mutts loss and BDSC win, will give BDSC the 2nd seed and the Mutts the 3rd.

Good luck everyone... and Jim, I'm looking forward to the challenge of beating you for a 3rd time this season in a couple weeks, should be a great matchup!

Re: Mutts 1st to clinch division, Opihi clinch berth, while the Freedom clinch #1 pic
 

You know what they say about beating a team 3x in a season...

But in my quest for my first-ever FRENZY Championship, it wouldn't be the same if I didn't have at least one victory over the Preds. If I can't beat you in two weeks, I don't deserve the trophy.

Bring it on! :duel

Re: Mutts 1st to clinch division, Opihi clinch berth, while the Freedom clinch #1 pick
 

Here's to the first ever home playoff game in Dodger stadium.

Re: Mutts 1st to clinch division, Opihi clinch berth, while the Freedom clinch #1 pic
 

:BS

It's on buddy.

Re: Mutts 1st to clinch division, Opihi clinch berth, while the Freedom clinch #1 pic
 

Just for the record, it was wishful thinking, not looking ahead.

That said...bring it.

Re: Mutts 1st to clinch division, Opihi clinch berth, while the Freedom clinch #1 pick
 

The playoff tickets have just been sent to the printers, and will be mailed to season ticketholders shortly. "Welcome to the Jungle" has been cued up and will be on continuous repeat play in Beaver Stadium until Jeff Wilkins kicks it off against the Mutts.

Re: Mutts 1st to clinch division, Opihi clinch berth, while the Freedom clinch #1 pick
 

Dangit!! I thought i had a good chance but everyone except Matt decided to take the day off. Congratz Brian on the division. Time to prepare for next year.