Playoff preview: (2) Shea vs. (3) Bob

Records: Bob 15-8, Shea 12-10
Line: Bob -1.5
Season series: Tied 1-1 (Week 3: 13-6 Bob, Week 13: 9-8 Shea)
Career playoff records: Bob 5-2, Shea 1-1
All-time head-to-head: Bob 7-2-1
Playoffs head-to-head: Shea 1-0 (2008 quarterfinals)
Last playoff appearance: Bob 2010, Shea 2008


About the matchup
These playoffs have been full of spice, and this matchup certainly has some. Paprika, garlic, cinnamon, you name it and this has it.

On one hand, we have Bob, who thought he lost Sunday night but woke up to a win on Monday morning. On the other we have Shea, who has taken on the "nobody believes in us" mindset. In fact, it's probably true. The oddsmakers have instilled Bob as a 1.5-point favorite.

"I was pumped that I was given a 2nd life and I'm gonna make the most of it if it stands," Bob said following his 9-9 tiebreaker win over Joe. "It always feels good to beat (Joe), and I'm sure he feels the same way. We always seem to have tight matchups that go into the last day so it's always an adventure."

Bob has now won five straight playoff matchups and still is not dethroned as the two-time belt-holding champion. But Shea does own a postseason victory over the Cole Miners. Of course, that was way back in 2008 - the last time Shea has been here.

But this year's squad has a destiny feel to it, doesn't it? No one - and I mean, no one - expected Shea to win the division after the awful auto-draft he had. And he has battled adversity all season, especially late, to get to this point. Now he gets a chance to face Bob, whom Shea even publically rooted for because he wants to beat the champ.

"This team is something special," Shea said. "All year we battled and it paid off with a division crown and bye week. We played Cole well this season and having "The King" and "Cy Young to Be" go twice this week puts us in good position to succeed. Bob lost $40 because of my fantasy team this year (during a sidebet). We'll tack on another $50 after Sunday is over."

Spice, baby, spice!

In their own words
Shea, on facing Bob: "I'm very suprised to be up against Bob. His team showed great perseverance and came out with a tie, which somehow equated into a win. With that being said, I'm happy to take him on and win in Joe's honor."

Bob, on facing Shea: "I would expect Shea to want to face me, in order to be the best you gotta beat the best and I won two straight titles so I still believe I am the best manager. I'm sure anyone in the league would like the opportunity to take me down, and I don't think it's because of the construction of my team; I think it's purely because of my past and I have embraced becoming pubic enemy number 1, so bring it on! I like my chances against Shea. I think I got him in pitching and I think I can take enough hitting categories to pull it out. According to the blog, I'm 7-2-1 against him so I definitely have the track record."

Shea, on why he will win: "We're moving on because there's something special about this team. The Commish Jew snubbed us at the draft, our division was snubbed all year, and we've been taking cheapshots from the donks in the playoffs. Bring it on baby!!!"

Bob, on why he will win: "The Miners will move on because they were given a second chance at life and they will not take it for granted.  They will prevail and they will take down the Bernies, mark it down. (if the results stand ha)."

The prediction
Shea has been overlooked for a lot of this year, and even in this matchup as he is a 1.5-point underdog. But, not this time. We're going with Shea to keep up with Bob's pitching and squeak out just enough on offense for a 11-9 victory.