Elite league action has been intense for the past couple of weeks. While some teams have proved themselves worthy of a playoff spot, others are quickly slipping and falling away from the elite league scene. Elite league should continue to be wild and some of the season’s best matchups start Tuesday. Will we see more upsets? Its possible, and some teams will need upsets in order to remain contenders.

TechEast vs Ambition

TechEast, despite winning against D Rays last week, is quickly falling. The last time that offense was able to muster double digit runs was Week Two, and have also been fairly unsuccessful in giving their pitching staff a comfortable lead. TechEast continues to prove week after week that their offense is not as good as many thought it would be. ABSmoke, Baptiste, and Stoneberg have failed to produce consistantly and that itself has been a huge reason for TechEast’s failure to win games. Their win last week did snap their 2 game losing streak and will likely use this as momentum against Ambition.

Ambition suffered a heart-breaking lose last week against Roto NL. Leading for most of the game, Ambition was unable to stop Roto NL from making a late game rally to take the lead in the top of the sixth. However, Ambition still continues to give their best effort each week. As manager h0w reiterates each week in the lobby, NLaLoosh gives Ambition a chance to win each week. Not to mention its close to impossible to have the same calm poise each week as Ambition faces the best teams in elite. Without a doubt it is impressive to see NLaLoosh continue to do his best despite being discouraged. Hopefully, NLaLoosh’s efforts might finally come through against an offense-depleted TechEast.

Players to Watch For:

TechEast

It will be crucial for Baptiste to set the tone early. His bat is impressive in PUG but he needs to carry this success to league now more than ever. Baptiste will also need to encourage his pitcher Sandman7 who continues to impress each game.

Ambition

h0w will need to provide his veteran leadership Tuesday. If he can make the right moves as far as substitutions, and contribute with his bat and glove, he could provide the spark Ambition needs in order to take over this game.

Fire’s Prediction: 9-7 Ambition

BigHeros vs Roto NL

BigHeros is one of those teams that have played well and have shown they are deserving of a playoff spot. BigHeros have pulled off major upsets earlier this season against FlightAL and Bombers. A large reason for these victories has been their offense. Nhr, Molholt, and Her0 have all had their fair share of homeruns and RBIs and have put BigHeros in a spot to perhaps dominate the playoffs. However, let us not forget that this is the same team that lost against D Rays earlier this season. While this may have been just a “bad game,” BigHeros also let an easy victory against Lynx slip from their hands in Week 5. The problem with BigHeros might be as simple as that they are able to win big games but are unable to win the small games. Look for this to be a continuing theme perhaps against Roto NL Tuesday and throughout the playoffs.

Roto NL is currently on a 2 game winning streak, gaining their first win against D Rays 2 weeks ago and beating Ambition by just a small margin last Tuesday. Despite these wins being against the “lower” teams in elite, it is still significant in that it might enable Roto NL to catch fire. However, in order for that to happen, nubXPRESS and Pesto will need to continue to pitch well and hope they can gain some offensive support from HaZed and Day. nubXPRESS’s rusty Scooter will also look to make an appearance and contribute offensively and defensively.

Players to Watch For

BigHeros

SupaNova will need to have a strong pitching performance against Roto NL. Part of the reason for BigHeros’s losses have been weak pitching at the start and end of the game. SupaNova is in position to create a window of opportunity for BigHeros to have some big innings only if he can limit Roto NL from scoring

Roto NL

HaZed has not been able to do much this season for his team. It is critical for Roto NL to jump out early and take the lead and HaZed can assist his team in accomplishing that if he can smash some homeruns.

Fire’s Prediction: 12-9 Roto NL

FlightAL vs Lynx

FlightAL is currently the best team in the East league, defeating Bombers last week to gain sole possession of first place. Part of the reason for their success has been the incredible performances from some of the veteran players, including Puddles who continues to be underrated by many players. Other dominating performances include DrDeath and although he did not pitch last week, is quietly shutting down teams in each of his pitching appearances. Randyp4nt also had a surprise performance last week, blasting 3 homeruns against the Bombers pitching staff. FlightAL continues to play solid week in and week out and it is likely they will finish the season with only one loss.

After starting the season 0-2, Lynx is currently on a three game winning streak, defeating Roto NL, Ambition, and most notable, BigHeros. Lynx has seen contributions from EWade, Wendigo, and Hugebat and xXBRAVOXx continues to have success in pitching, holding opponents to a remarkable average of four runs per game. More important to to Lynx’s success has been their consistancy, managing to keep both their offense and pitching balanced. However, in order for Lynx to win Tuesday, all of their players will need to step up big.

Players to Watch For:

FlightAL

Puddles should have another big game and take over with his powerful bat. Without a doubt his veteran experience has benefited him this league and is yet another reason for FlightAL’s success

Lynx

xXBRAVOXx needs to have another solid pitching performance. The longer he can shut down FlightAL, the better the chance Lynx can score some runs and take over the game.

Fire’s Prediction: 11-4 FlightAL

Bombers vs D Rays

Bombers is currently on a two game losing streak that many would say is due to lack of solid pitching. An elite league favorite, Bombers is struggling at the pitching portion of their game, with ThePope missing last week’s game and will possibly miss Tuesday’s game as well. And in order for Bombers to be successful, they need all three of the pitchers to be dominant. Moreover, offensively Bombers has also been struggling the last two weeks managing to average only five runs per game-an alarming number especially fot this powerhouse offense. In order for Bombers to claim victory once again, they will need to see contributions from BigJuddd, gimmepie, and veteran left fielder Jiraiya.

The D Rays have not been able to do much this season with the exception of just one win. The return of MASIMO has not affected the D Rays mentality as they are now in the middle of a three game skid. A large reason for this losing streak may have to do with the lack of offensive production-the D Rays have only averaged a little more than four runs per game the past three games. KeenanG and HAVERFORD have been unsuccesful in igniting this offense, and as long as they continue to fail, it will be close to impossible for D Rays to win another game during the regular season.

Players to Watch For

Bombers

BigJuddd continues to bring in runs each game and might possibly be the Bombers MVP at this point in the season. If he can bring in runs along with the rest of Bombers, this should be an easy win.

D Rays

MASIMO needs prove why he is an elite pitcher and this will be the game to do it. Depending how long MASIMO is able to shut down Bombers, the D Rays might have a chance.

Fire’s Prediction: 17-5 Bombers

DwH vs Insanity

DwH just continues to put in solid effort each and every week, although many would actually call this “effort” sheer luck. With their inactivity, its hard to believe that their offense has been able to average close to nine runs this entire season. Unfortunately, this team has suffered many heart shattering losses the latest being two weeks ago against Rotowire. Despite taking the lead in the top of the sixth, the “Donuts without Hats” were unable to stop Skoal from hitting a walk-off grand slam to win the game. DwH may have finally caught a break against TechWest last week, scoring eleven runs while holding their opponent to just one run.

Insanity is one of those teams that are falling quickly. Tensions continue to run high each week as many of their players continue to disagree with their manager, Killerboy. Although many of these players are veterans that have played the game for quite awhile, it seems there is not enough team chemistry to have squad function coherantly. This lack of trust has resulted in some poor games, the latest being against FlightNL last week where they gave up 19 runs and was just able to muster one run off a solo homerun by BATMANN. Insanity will continue to struggle if they do not learn how to work together as a team.

Players to Watch For

DwH

Ensferum seems like the only player that actually seems to try every week for this team. Not to mention he has had some impressive offensive performances that have made some games very close. Ensferum should have another great game against the struggling Insanity

Insanity

Its all on Killerboy to make the right calls not only as a manager but as a pitcher. He will need to force his team to unite together in order to defeat DwH

Fire’s Prediction: 16-7 DwH

Empire vs FlightNL

Empire may have finally adjusted to a depleted roster. D1nonly2 and Frogger are officially done for the season with personal problems and Oman has yet to play a regular season game (which will likely change Tuesday). However, judging from the past two weeks, the Empire offense has finally found consistancy, giving their pitchers a plentiful lead in the later innings. Pete998 has been a large reason for this, knocking in at least one homerun the past two games while continuing to play solid defense in right field. MelkyNYY has also been contributing not only as a hitter, but as a manager, working with each of his players in the pursuit of perfection. Additionally, with their victory last week against Carnage, Empire has proven they are the second best team in the West league only to FlightNL.

FlightNL may in fact be perfect. Their spectacular pitching staff continue to prevail each week, remaining effective even against some of the better teams in the West. ElDuque and SmokeOut might be the most dominant duo in league history, with their ability to shut down teams consistantly frighten many teams in the West. However, this combo actually does its worse against Empire. Many Empire players remember Duque as a good friend but immediatley recognize his pitching style. This will likely hurt Duque; nevertheless, it is still significant to remember that Duque does have a personal vendetta against his former team and may look for some type of vengence. Duque does have a competitive spirit that never seems to falter and Tuesday will be no exception.

The long-awaited battle of supremacy between these teams begin Tuesday.

Players to Watch For

FlightNL

SmokeOut will determine if FlightNL wins this game. Depending on how well he pitches and when he is used in the game, SmokeOut can easily be the difference maker. Additionally, if he can continue his remarkable pitching, FlightNL should be able to pull of the victory.

Empire

It is this type of matchup that KMAN always seems to excel in. Another veteran elite pitcher, KMAN will have the same calm and all-knowing poise he has in each and every game. He will need to shut down FlightNL early in order to give Empire a chance to win.

Fire’s Prediction: 6-4 Empire

Rotowire vs Carnage

Rotowire is proving that they are serious about a winning a championship this league, winning two consecutive games against DwH and Rage. They have exploded offensively, having a run differential of +12. Obviously, a large reason for that has been Skoal, who has been carrying that team offensively and pitching-wise. Skoal has also done a fantastic job. His performances have put him in position to snag MVP honors. However, in order for Rotowire to be succesful Tuesday and throughout the playoffs, they will need to see more contributions from Boget, BenyDJet, and EvilPants. All of these veteran players are very capable of stepping up which makes Rotowire a very dangerous team.

Carnage is a team that might begin to fade as the regular season is brought to a close. Losing to Empire last week, the Carnage squad might begin to feel the ill-effects of inactivity. It seems several of Carnage’s players are not playing RBO on a consistant basis and this might account for their poor performance against Empire last week. This team is also full of veterans that know how to win. If Megatron can have a solid game, Carnage can pull of the win.

Fire’s Prediction: 14-11 Rotowire