Week 20 Preview

Awesome playoff races building up. Expect a couple blog entries this week on just that.

Stats on predictions:
Last week: 2-3-1
Overall: 11-12-1
Upset special: 2-2 (Thanks, Richie)
Mismatch: 3-1 (Thanks, Richie)

On we go to this week!

Match of the week
Andy (10-6-3) vs. Ken (12-7)
Info: Andy picked up a potential season turnaround tie last week, pulling out a point he didn't deserve. Ken suffered a setback, losing to Dave, and he's just 1-2 since trading Beltran for Abreu.
Key player: Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman (Ken) are just as important to Ken as Andy's Phillies are to him. Whichever duo has a better week will likely be the winning manager.
All-time series: Ken 3-2
Prediction: 12-8 Andy

Playoff importance of the week
Chris (9-8-2) vs. Jack (12-4-3)
Info: Jack is playing for the No. 1 seed. Chris is playing just for a seed and definitely is the more desperate one here.
Key player: Chris Carpenter (Jack) gets two starts this week, which could be crucial - especially since Jack's pitching has struggled
All-time series: Tied 2-2-1
Prediction: 11-7 Chris (upset special)

Mismatch of the week
Joe (12-6-1) vs. Dave (7-10-2)
Info: Joe still is in first place but by the slimmest of possible margins. A loss this week would be brutal. Dave is looking to continue his spoiler role.
Key player: Paul Konerko (Joe) can't buy a hit lately. No surprise, Joe's team has struggled.
All-time series: Joe 3-2
Prediction: 11-9 Joe

Trash talk match of the week
Bob (12-7) vs. Mike (8-10-1)
Info: I can't wait to see the smack talk on this matchup. I expect a great verbal battle all week long. Mike has spoiler and a very very very outside playoff chance on his mind; Bob has a division title on his mind.
Key player: Tommy Hanson (Bob) gets two starts this week, and he may be able to cancel out two starts from Tim Lincecum.
All-time series: Bob 4-0-1
Prediction: 13-5 Bob

Also of note
Shea (5-14) vs. Ricky (9-8-2)
Info: Fresh off a gift of a win last week, Ricky looks to maintain that 6th and final wild-card spot. Shea kept it close with Jack last week, and has recently beaten some good teams.
Key player: Lance Berkman and Torii Hunter (Ricky) are both off the DL, providing a huge boost to the offense.
All-time series: Ricky 4-1
Prediction: 12-7 Ricky

Adam (9-10) vs. Richie (2-17)
Info: Adam has a very generous schedule left, so we can't write him off just yet.
Key player: Raul Ibanez (Adam) has not been good lately, and he really could use the offense.
All-time series: Richie 4-1
Prediction: 15-4 Adam