Seattle vs San Francisco

Earlier this week I had intended for my last week's prediction to be my last article for the USCL. For those who didn't read it carefully or were too lazy to click it just now, it contained a sentence stating that I thought the league commissioner was smarter than me. I was rather enraged that he would have the nerve to add such a ridiculous statement to my prediction but when I confronted him about it, he denied doing it! I had no choice but to consult my original version where I realized to my horror that I, in a state of drunken confusion no doubt, had actually written that myself! Once I realized this I knew I couldn't well quit out of outrage (and I definitely couldn't leave you readers thinking my last piece of work would contain such a monstrosity of an idea) so I'm back this week (this time sober, I promise) and have the fortune of previewing the last Monday Night Showdown of the season with Seattle taking on San Francisco in what I think is without a doubt the best and most anticipated match of the regular season.

The Western Division crown (and the huge prize of a wild card bye and draw odds in the division championship) has now been reduced to being a battle between these two teams alone, and both seem to be bringing what is likely their most powerful lineups (or close) to bear is certainly just one indication of just how important this match is. Currently, San Francisco sits with a half point lead so will clinch the division with a win and with a draw will control their destiny in the final week (a final week's match which will likely be a big challenge for both teams again, as their two foes, Miami and Dallas, are in an equally heated battle for the final spot in the West). However, Seattle does have the edge in the first tiebreaker so with a win the Sluggers will almost certainly win the division with even a draw in the last week.

Board 1 we have a rematch of Week 7 with GM Serper looking to get revenge on IM Friedel. Friedel pulled off what some considered to be an upset in the last encounter in a very well played game, but it's going to be much harder for him to do that on the Black side of the board. That along with how dominating GM Serper has looked with the White pieces this season means Seattle has to have an edge here.

Board 2 pits two of the probably strongest IMs in the country with IM Bhat taking on IM Orlov. As the commissioner pointed out, neither of these players has lost a game in the USCL so far, and I really doubt either would choose this match for the time to end that streak. Like board 1 though, I have to put the small edge with the one who has the White pieces.

Board 3 pits FM Readey vs. IM Zilberstein. Readey was the main spark in the last match for the Seattle team upsetting the heavily favored IM Pruess, with the black pieces no less. Seattle could definitely use another performance like that this week as he has an equally difficult task in facing IM Zilberstein. He does have the White pieces, but against a solid IM like Zilberstein, I think he's still at a bit of a disadvantage.

Board 4 we have another rematch as the young players Shankland and Lee meet again. Lee had a rather dominating win when these two squared off the first time, and it's difficult to bet against him with his 4.5/5 record over the season. He does have the Black pieces this time though, and Shankland has won two impressive games himself this season so this one is probably a toss up.

This time, unlike last, seems to be a very close match on paper in nearly every way. The last go around nearly everyone thought the Mechanics had a big edge, but the teams fought to a bloody draw (four decisive results!). That seems to me the most likely outcome in this situation as well so I'm going to have go with a 2-2 draw (and though I think that's the most likely thing, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see four decisive results again).