Week 5 Preview

Last week: 3-3
Overall: 13-11
Mismatch: 2-2
Upset special: 2-2


Match of the Week
Hal (3-1) vs. Joe (2-2)
Line: Hal -1.5
Info: Both teams coming off wins last week, with Hal looking like he has regained his 2010 form. Could Joe's team be better than we thought?
All-time series: Tied 2-2
Prediction: Hal 12-8

Mismatch of the Week
Mike (3-1) vs. Rick (1-3)
Line: Mike -4
Info: Shouldn't be a tough week for Mike, who owns Rick all-time, although Mike has had problems covering the spread so far this year.
All-time series: Mike 7-2-1
Prediction: Mike 10-7

Upset of the Week
Chris (2-2) vs. Adam (3-1)
Line: Adam -1.5
Info: Chris, rolling on all cylinders the past couple weeks, getting back into form. Adam has division rivals Mike and Bob two of next three weeks. Could be a letdown.
All-time series: Chris 7-3
Prediction: Chris 11-8

Rest of the Week
Bob (3-1) vs. Shea (2-2)
Line: Bob -3
Info: Stunning line here - where's the respect for Shea? Maybe Bob's career record vs. Shea plays a factor
All-time series: Bob 7-2-1
Prediction: Bob 9-7

Dave (3-1) vs. Ken (1-3)
Line: Dave -3.5
Info: Matt Kemp may hit more home runs this week than Ken's entire team combined
All-time series: Ken 6-3-1
Prediction: Dave 13-6

Andy (1-3) vs. Jack (0-4)
Line: Even
Info: Two horrible teams competing in a matchup no one should really care about right now.
All-time series: Tied 5-5
Prediction: Jack 10-8
Read more!

Week 3 Preview

Last week: 3-3
Overall: 6-6
Mismatch: 1-1
Upset special: 2-0


Match of the Week
Adam (2-0) vs. Rick (1-1)
Line: Adam -2.5
Info: What the heck, right? Two teams coming off nice wins, and when Adam is rejuvenated in fantasy baseball, it's better for the league.
All-time series: Rick 5-4-1
Prediction: Adam 10-8

Mismatch of the Week
Dave (2-0) vs. Chris (0-2)
Line: Dave -3.5
Info: Chris had one home run and 15 RBIs last week. Dave might get 15 RBIs in one night with his offense.
All-time series: Chris 6-4
Prediction: Dave 13-5

Upset of the Week
Jack (0-2) vs. Hal (1-1)
Line: Hal -2
Info: We like Hal's squad this year, and this is more a prediction out of thinking Jack won't start 0-3 to begin the year.
All-time series: Jack 3-1
Prediction: Jack 11-9

Rest of the Week
Mike (1-1) vs. Ken (1-1)
Line: Mike -1
Info: Mike should stick to fantasy baseball instead of predictions. He went 0-6 last week - something the commish has never, ever done.
All-time series: Tied 5-5
Prediction: Mike 12-6

Joe (1-1) vs. Shea (1-1)
Line: Even
Info: Expect an up-and-down season from Joe, and this is gonna be one of those down weeks after a big win.
All-time series: Joe 7-3
Prediction: Shea 13-4

Bob (1-1) vs. Andy (1-1)
Line: Andy -0.5
Info: Bob hasn't lost to Andy since 2008, a span of six straight matches, yet for some reason Vegas enlists Andy as a favorite.
All-time series: Bob 7-3
Prediction: Bob 12-7
Read more!

Week 2 Preview

Note: This was written Monday afternoon, but I saved it for today to give you guys something new to read instead of piling up the Monday posts.

Last week: 3-3 (Not that easy, is it Mike?)
Overall: 3-3
Mismatch: 0-1
Upset special: 1-0


Match of the Week
Dave (1-0) vs. Hal (1-0)
Line: Dave -2
Info: Dave's mashers lived up to billing in first week (32 RBIs) and will do the same here.
All-time series: Hal 2-1-1
Prediction: Dave 12-7

Mismatch of the Week
Mike (1-0) vs. Andy (0-1)
Line: Mike -3.5
Info: These two met in Week 2 last year with same records, and Andy won. Result will be different this year.
All-time series: Andy 5-4-1
Prediction: Mike 11-9

Upset of the Week
Joe (0-1) vs. Ken (1-0)
Line: Ken -1.5
Info: Hard to call this much of an upset, but what the hell. Hard to see Joe at 0-2 or Ken at 2-0, quite frankly.
All-time series: Joe 7-3
Prediction: Joe 10-8

Rest of the Week
Adam (1-0) vs. Shea (0-1) (1-0)
Line: Shea -0.5
Info: Two surprising Week 1 wins, followed by two unsurprising Monday morning post-Power Ranking kvetchings.
All-time series: Adam 7-3
Prediction: Adam 9-8

Rick (0-1) vs. Jack (0-1)
Line: Jack -2
Info: Last year, Rick's first win of the season came against Jack. Could it happen again here?
All-time series: Jack 5-4-1
Prediction: Jack 11-5

Bob (0-1) vs. Chris (0-1)
Line: Even
Info: Chris has never started 0-2 in his MTLKL career.
All-time series: Bob 7-3
Prediction: Chris 10-7
Read more!

Week 1 preview

2011 record: 69-52-5

Match of the Week
Mike (0-0) vs. Joe (0-0)
Line: Mike -2
Info: The defending champ gets a division opponent right off the bat, while Joe looks to start a hopeful comeback year off on the right foot.
All-time series: Tied 5-5
Prediction: Mike 10-9

Mismatch of the Week
Jack (0-0) vs. Adam (0-0)
Line: Jack -3
Info: Strictly based on preseason rankings, we have this as the MMOTW.
All-time series: Jack 7-3
Prediction: Jack 13-6

Upset of the Week
Hal (0-0) vs. Chris (0-0)
Line: Chris -1.5
Info: I make this prediction based solely on Hal's quick start to the week. Very short week means a headstart is crucial.
All-time series: Tied 2-2
Prediction: Hal 11-8

Rest of the Week
Andy (0-0) vs. Ken (0-0)
Line: Andy -1.5
Info: Two struggling teams from last year, but one team has way better keepers. I'll go with that one.
All-time series: Ken 7-3
Prediction: Andy 12-7

Bob (0-0) vs. Dave (0-0)
Line: Dave -2
Info: We expect big things from Dave this year. Combine that with Bob's usual April struggles and boom.
All-time series: Dave 5-4-1
Prediction: Dave 10-9

Rick (0-0) vs. Shea (0-0)
Line: Even
Info: Rick ended last year with a win over Shea, and he'll start this year the same way.
All-time series: Rick 7-3
Prediction: Rick 12-8

Read more!

Week 22 Preview

Last week: 4-2
Overall: 66-49-5
Mismatch: 11-9
Upset special: 7-12


Match of the Week
Jack (12-7-2) vs. Mike (13-7-1)
Line: Even
Info: Winner takes all - in this case, the Facebook Division. Well, unless there's a tie. Then the tie goes to Mike. Props to the schedule-makers for foreshadowing this matchup when they created the season.
All-time series: Jack 5-4
2011 result: Mike 11-7
Prediction: Jack 10-9

Mismatch of the Week
Shea (12-9) vs. Rick (3-15-3)
Line: Shea -6
Info: As I type this, Shea is getting walloped by Rick. It'd be, frankly, one of the biggest chokes of Shea's fantasy career if he blows his shot at a division title vs. arguably the worst team in league history.
All-time series: Rick 6-3
2011 result: Shea 13-5
Prediction: Shea 12-7

Upset of the Week
Dave (9-9-3) vs. Adam (10-11)
Line: Dave -2
Info: Dave, in position to make the playoffs for the first time ever, needs to win. But, we've seen Dave crumble before during times when he has been close.
All-time series: Adam 5-4
2011 result: Dave 13-5
Prediction: Adam 11-8

Rest of the Week
Joe (11-9-1) vs. Bob (13-8)
Line: Bob -2.5
Info: This used to be a matchup of the heavyweights, but what has happened to these two lately? They've combined to lose seven out of their last 10. Joe needs to tie or win to lock down a playoff spot.
All-time series: Bob 5-4
2011 result: Joe 14-5
Prediction: Bob 10-8

Chris (12-9) vs. Ken (9-10-2)
Line: Chris -4
Info: Chris beat Ken back in Week 11, which began the incredible downward spiral for Ken. Mercifully, Chris will beat him again this week and put this disastrous season to bed for the Turds.
All-time series: Chris 7-1-1
2011 result: Chris 15-4
Prediction: Chris 13-6

Hal (10-11) vs. Andy (6-15)
Line: Hal -4
Info: A tough spot for Hal, as a win would probably hurt him in the offseason draft lottery. But, we've seen in the past that tanking games doesn't guarantee anything. Plus, a five-game win streak into next year might energize the fan base.
All-time series: Hal 2-1
2011 result: Hal 10-8
Prediction: Hal 11-9
Read more!

Week 21 Preview

Last week: 4-2
Overall: 62-47-5
Mismatch: 11-8
Upset special: 6-12


Match of the Week
Jack (11-7-2) vs. Adam (10-10)
Line: Jack -1.5
Info: Adam needs to win to keep his playoff hopes alive, and Jack, who probably has all but locked up a playoff spot, needs to win to keep hope alive for a division title.
All-time series: Jack 6-3
2011 result: Adam 13-5
Prediction: Adam 11-8

Mismatch of the Week
Chris (12-8) vs. Andy (5-15)
Line: Chris -6
Info: No reason to see Chris losing to Andy here. Especially after last week's loss to Shea. Andy, meanwhile, is in danger of ending up in last place.
All-time series: Chris 6-2-1
2011 result: Chris 14-6
Prediction: Chris 13-6

Upset of the Week
Dave (8-9-3) vs. Bob (13-7)
Line: Bob -3
Info: Surprisingly, Bob has had tons of struggles in his career vs. Dave. Only Dave and Jack have a .500-or-better record vs. Bob lifetime.
All-time series: Tied 4-4-1
2011 result: Dave 12-7
Prediction: Dave 10-8

Rest of the Week
Rick (3-14-3) vs. Hal (9-11)
Line: Hal -4.5
Info: Rick is coming off his biggest win of the season, but Hal's team is just way too hot right now. But, maybe Hal can't get up for this match since he can't play spoiler?
All-time series: Hal 3-0
2011 result: Hal 13-5
Prediction: Hal 11-7

Shea (11-9) vs. Ken (9-9-2)
Line: Shea -2.5
Info: Both these teams have to win to keep their division hopes alive. Although, Ken clearly is more focused on just getting into the postseason tournament at this point.
All-time series: Ken 8-1
2011 result: Ken 10-7
Prediction: Shea 10-9

Mike (12-7-1) vs. Joe (11-8-1)
Line: Mike -2
Info: Joe is in complete disarray, having lost three of the last four and blaming everything on opposing team's career weeks. Hey, Joe, how about your team has a career week for once?
All-time series: Joe 5-4
2011 result: Joe 11-9
Prediction: Mike 12-6 Read more!

Week 19 Preview

Last week: 1-4-1
Overall: 55-42-5
Mismatch: 10-7
Upset special: 5-11


Match of the Week
Mike (11-6-1) vs. Bob (12-6)
Line: Even
Info: A huge late-season matchup that surely will go a long way toward deciding a Facebook Division winner. Bob has struggled inside the division this season, while Mike has had success.
All-time series: Bob 7-1-1
2011 result: Mike 12-8
Prediction: Bob 11-9

Mismatch of the Week
Chris (11-7) vs. Rick (2-13-3)
Line: Chris -6.5
Info: If there ever were a week for a stunning upset, this would be it with Rick having a big pitching advantage and Chris being away on vacation. But it's too hard to make this the Upset of the Week.
All-time series: Rick 6-3
2011 result: Chris 11-8
Prediction: Chris 12-7

Upset of the Week
Andy (5-13) vs. Ken (8-8-2)
Line: Ken -1
Info: How can we even pick Ken to beat a bottom-feeder at this point? We really can't, even against a team as bad as Andy's.
All-time series: Ken 6-3-1
2011 result: Ken 10-9
Prediction: Andy 10-8

Rest of the Week
Jack (9-7-2) vs. Dave (7-8-3)
Line: Jack -1.5
Info: It'd be fitting if these two were to tie, since they seem to do so more than any others in the league. But, we're going with Jack to send Dave to the rail for good.
All-time series: Jack 3-2-4
2011 result: Jack 15-4
Prediction: Jack 11-6

Shea (10-8) vs. Hal (7-11)
Line: Shea -2.5
Info: Hal is in major spoiler role right now, with no trades left to be made and no playoffs to play for. Shea, meanwhile, is in a legit division race and can't afford to fall two back in the loss column.
All-time series: Hal 2-1
2011 result: Hal 10-8
Prediction: Shea 10-9

Adam (9-9) vs. Joe (11-6-1)
Line: Joe -2
Info: Not a must-win quite yet for Adam, although we're getting there. Joe, meanwhile, is trying to stop a downward spiral having already lost two of the last three.
All-time series: Adam 6-3
2011 result: Adam 9-7
Prediction: Joe 10-7
Read more!

Week 18 Preview

Last week: 4-1-1
Overall: 54-38-4
Mismatch: 9-7
Upset special: 5-10


Match of the Week
Mike (11-5-1) vs. Shea (9-8)
Line: Mike -2
Info: Both teams are fighting for a division title - albeit in separate divisions. Really like the way Shea's team is playing right now, but I just think Mike's team is a little better.
All-time series: Mike 5-3-1
2011 result: Shea 12-7
Prediction: Mike 10-7

Mismatch of the Week
Bob (11-6) vs. Rick (2-12-3)
Line: Bob 5.5
Info: Rick has certainly improved the past couple weeks, but if this match is even close on Sunday, I'd be stunned.
All-time series: Bob 6-2-1
2011 result: Bob 10-8
Prediction: Bob 14-6

Upset of the Week
Adam (9-8) vs. Chris (10-7)
Line: Chris -1.5
Info: Might not be too fair to call this one an upset, but we will anyway. Surging Adam is only 2-4 against the Twitter Division and needs this to keep pace with the other wild-card teams.
All-time series: Chris 6-3
2011 result: Chris 14-5
Prediction: Adam 10-9

Rest of the Week
Dave (7-8-2) vs. Ken (8-8-1)
Line: Dave -2
Info: Ken squarely on the hot seat - ESPN reporting ownership is not happy with the GM - and we could see a new manager soon if this losing skid continues.
All-time series: Ken 6-3
2011 result: Ken 10-8
Prediction: Dave 12-7

Joe (11-5-1) vs. Hal (6-11)
Line: Joe -4
Info: Hal with a key move Sunday to grab Derrek Lee, who smacks two homers on Monday! Joe was absolutely livid with this.
All-time series: Joe 2-1
2011 result: Hal 9-8
Prediction: Joe 11-8

Andy (4-13) vs. Jack (9-6-2)
Line: Jack -5
Info: Should be a cruise-control week for Jack, who would probably be out of the hunt for a division title with a disastrous loss here.
All-time series: Jack 5-4
2011 result: Jack 15-3
Prediction: Jack 14-4
Read more!

Week 17 Preview

Last week: 1-5
Overall: 50-37-3
Mismatch: 8-7
Upset special: 4-10


Match of the Week
Bob (11-5) vs. Chris (9-7)
Line: Bob -2
Info: Chris is coming off a trade, while Bob is working on trying to get a trade complete. Anyone want to trade teams with me?
All-time series: Bob 7-2
2011 result: Bob 10-9
Prediction: Bob 12-7

Mismatch of the Week
Joe (10-5-1) vs. Andy (4-12)
Line: Joe -6.5
Info: About as big of a spread as we've seen this season, but Joe coming off a loss, now needing a win, and Andy trading away two of his better players is the reason for it.
All-time series: Joe 6-3
2011 result: Joe 10-4
Prediction: Joe 14-5

Upset of the Week
Shea (8-8) vs. Jack (9-5-2)
Line: Jack -2
Info: Shea's offense is on fire right now, at a ridiculous pace. If he keeps it up, he'll only need to take a couple pitching categories to pull the upset.
All-time series: Jack 7-2
2011 result: Jack 15-3
Prediction: Shea 11-9

Rest of the Week
Mike (10-5-1) vs. Ken (8-7-1)
Line: Mike -3
Info: We think Ken finishes off this incredible fall from grace this week, going back to the .500 mark.
All-time series: Mike 6-3
2011 result: Ken 12-6
Prediction: Mike 11-6

Adam (8-8) vs. Hal (6-10)
Line: Adam -3
Info: Hal has nothing left to play for this season, but Adam sure does. A loss this week and we'll be OK with writing Adam off for good, though.
All-time series: Hal 2-1
2011 result: Hal 9-7
Prediction: Adam 10-9

Dave (7-8-1) vs. Rick (2-12-2)
Line: Dave -4
Info: No one really will pay much attention to this matchup; instead, we are all paying attention to whether or not Dave speaks on "The Trade."
All-time series: Rick 4-2-3
2011 result: Tie 10-10
Prediction: Dave 11-8
Read more!

Week 16 Preview

Last week: 4-1-1
Overall: 49-32-3
Mismatch: 8-6
Upset special: 4-8


Match of the Week
Jack (8-5-2) vs. Joe (10-4-1)
Line: Joe -1.5
Info: A win by Jack really makes this division race interesting, but if he loses and falls 2.5 behind, it's probably time to relegate him to simply wild-card status.
All-time series: Joe 5-1-3
2011 result: Tie 10-10
Prediction: Joe 11-9

Mismatch of the Week
Ken (8-6-1) vs. Rick (1-12-2)
Line: Ken -5
Info: How can Ken be winless in five straight weeks and still be a huge favorite? Duh.
All-time series: Rick 5-4
2011 result: Ken 14-5
Prediction: Ken 13-6

Upset of the Week
Andy (4-11) vs. Shea (7-8)
Line: Shea -3
Info: We like the guarantee from Andy, so therefore we're going to roll the dice on this one. Shea, of course, set the standards for guarantees this season with his win over Chris earlier.
All-time series: Shea 5-4
2011 result: Shea 11-7
Prediction: Andy 9-8

Upset of the Week II
Chris (8-6-1) vs. Hal (6-9)
Line: Chris -2
Info: I'm handing it over to Hal, who contacted me to tell me this: "I feel that I've got a very good chance to upset Chris this week with six pitchers going twice, including Halladay."
All-time series: Hal 2-1
2011 result: Chris 16-3
Prediction: Hal 11-8

Rest of the Week
Mike (10-4-1) vs. Dave (6-8-1)
Line: Mike -4
Info: Gotta wonder if Mike is going to stumble against a lesser opponent at some point. He didn't vs. Rick, and he won't vs Dave this week.
All-time series: Mike 6-3
2011 result: Mike 11-8
Prediction: Mike 10-9

Bob (10-5) vs. Adam (8-7)
Line: Adam -0.5
Info: The oddsmakers have Adam as the favorite, which has to tell you something about how well his team is playing lately.
All-time series: Bob 7-2
2011 result: Bob 12-7
Prediction: Adam 11-7
Read more!

Week 15 Preview

Last week: 4-2
Overall: 45-31-2
Mismatch: 7-6
Upset special: 4-7


Match of the Week
Jack (8-5-1) vs. Ken (8-6)
Line: Jack -2
Info: Two playoff teams hanging on, especially Ken, who has incredibly lost four straight after starting out 8-2. Jack is coming off an easy win over Rick and will look to avenge a blowout Week 5 loss to Ken.
All-time series: Jack 5-4
2011 result: Ken 14-3
Prediction: Jack 11-8

Mismatch of the Week
Mike (9-4-1) vs. Rick (1-11-2)
Line: Mike -6
Info: The No. 1-ranked team vs the No. 12-ranked team. Even in spite of their early season tie, it doesn't get much more of a mismatch than this, really. If Mike loses, I feel safe calling this the biggest upset in the history of the league.
All-time series: Mike 6-2-1
2011 result: Tied 9-9
Prediction: Mike 15-5

Upset of the Week
Shea (7-7) vs. Joe (9-4-1)
Line: Joe -2.5
Info: Joe is on vacation this week, so we think he might not pay that much attention. That should even the playing field between him and Shea, so we're going with the underdog here.
All-time series: Joe 6-3
2011 result: Shea 11-8
Prediction: Shea 10-9

Rest of the Week
Adam (7-7) vs. Andy (4-10)
Line: Adam -4.5
Info: We've detailed this matchup already here on the blog, and it's safe to say Adam wants this as bad as he does any other week this season.
All-time series: Andy 5-4
2011 result: Adam 10-7
Prediction: Adam 14-6

Hal (6-8) vs. Bob (9-5)
Line: Bob -3
Info: Hal kept his slim playoff hopes alive last week, but could see them die for good with a loss this week. And Bob might get James Shields on Sunday yet again - this time the last game of the week, too.
All-time series: Hal 2-1
2011 result: Bob 10-9
Prediction: Bob 11-7

Chris (8-6) vs. Dave (5-8-1)
Line: Chris -2
Info: Chris just went off on his players after a terrible performance in a winnable week against Mike, so we're interested to see how they respond. And Dave is no walk in the park, either. I'm hoping for fireworks.
All-time series: Chris 6-3
2011 result: Chris 11-8
Prediction: Dave 11-8
Read more!

Week 14 Preview

Last week: 2-4
Overall: 41-29-2
Mismatch: 6-6
Upset special: 4-7


Match of the Week
Adam (6-7) vs. Shea (7-6)
Line: Adam -0.5
Info: Yeah, that's right, this is the MOTW. Sure, we could have gone with Joe vs. Ken or Mike vs. Chris, but frankly, this match is way more important in the grand scheme. Not to mention, these two just knocked off first-place teams. The loser here, especially if it's Adam, will be in some doo-doo going forward.
All-time series: Adam 6-3
2011 result: Shea 11-6
Prediction: Adam 10-8

Mismatch of the Week
Bob (8-5) vs. Andy (4-9)
Line: Bob -4.5
Info: Bob has won five straight over Andy, including four by double digits. With Bob coming off a loss and Andy off a win, hard to envision any other scenario than a Bob blowout here.
All-time series: Bob 6-3
2011 result: Bob 14-4
Prediction: Bob 14-6

Upset of the Week
As much as we badly wanted to predict a Rick win over Jack, we just can't. It just doesn't seem possible. So, no UOTW.

Rest of the Week
Jack (7-5-1) vs. Rick (1-10-2)
Line: Jack -6
Info: Incredibly, Rick got the better of this matchup the first time around, and we can file that into the "Things you just quite can't solve" basket. That's basically why this isn't the Mismatch of the Week.
All-time series: Tied 4-4-1
2011 result: Rick 9-8
Prediction: Jack 15-5

Chris (8-5) vs. Mike (8-4-1)
Line: Chris -1
Info: The two hottest teams in the league face off in what should be an exciting matchup with a lot of chatter. The Screw(ball) suddenly is best friends with The Hammer. I also expect Hal to chime in correcting The Screw(ball)'s grammar at some point.
All-time series: Chris 5-4
2011 result: Mike 13-6
Prediction: Chris 11-8

Joe (8-4-1) vs. Ken (8-5)
Line: Joe -2.5
Info: Ken is in serious danger of a major choke. If he loses this week, we'll start talking about whether he will even make the playoffs! Joe, on the other hand, is having his usually-solid season and again is in contention for a division title.
All-time series: Joe 6-3
2011 result: Joe 12-5
Prediction: Joe 10-7

Hal (5-8) vs. Dave (5-7-1)
Line: Pick 'em
Info: This is an official elimination match. Mark it down: The loser will not make the playoffs and should start prepping for the future.
All-time series: Tied 1-1-1
2011 result: Dave 11-9
Prediction: Dave 12-8
Read more!

Week 12 Preview

Last week: 2-4
Overall: 34-24-2
Mismatch: 4-6
Upset special: 3-6



Match of the Week
Chris (6-5) vs. Joe (7-3-1)
Line: Chris -1
Info: Joe has won two in a row; Chris has won three in a row. Both teams are playing some of their best fantasy baseball of the season.
All-time series: Joe 7-2
2011 result: Joe 13-5
Prediction: Chris 11-8

Mismatch of the Week
Mike (6-4-1) vs. Andy (3-8)
Line: Mike -3.5
Info: Mike can't afford to lose once again to Andy if he wants to keep up in the race for the Facebook Division title.
All-time series: Andy 5-3-1
2011 result: Andy 12-6
Prediction: Mike 12-7

Upset of the Week
Dave (4-6-1) vs. Shea (6-5)
Line: Shea -2.5
Info: We're predicting Dave to win this matchup mostly because we want to do the research to see when his last three-game win streak was and see if he's been this close to .500 this late in the season.
All-time series: Shea 7-2
2011 result: Shea 13-6
Prediction: Dave 10-9

The No One Gives a Shit Match of the Week
Adam (4-7) vs. Rick (1-8-2)
Line: Adam -3
Info: Adam chooses to defy the commish with his new team name, so this is how we fight back! We create a new matchup category in his honor!
All-time series: Rick 5-3-1
2011 result: Adam 14-5
Prediction: Adam 12-6

Rest of the Week
Jack (6-4-1) vs. Hal (5-6)
Line: Jack -1
Info: Hal attempts to make it all the way back to .500 against Jack, his trade partner. Will Alex Gordon, Daniel Hudson or anyone else make an impact?
All-time series: Jack 2-1
2011 result: Jack 15-5
Prediction: Hal 10-9

Ken (8-3) vs. Bob (7-4)
Line: Ken -1.5
Info: Is this the beginning of Ken's downfall? Probably not, but it'd make things interesting. Can't see Bob losing three straight.
All-time series: Bob 6-2-1
2011 result: Bob 15-4
Prediction: Bob 12-8
Read more!

Week 11 Preview

Last week: 3-3
Overall: 32-20-2
Mismatch: 4-5
Upset special: 3-5



Match of the Week
Mike (6-3-1) vs. Joe (6-3-1)
Line: Mike -0.5
Info: In a division that has four teams separated by a half-game, these matchups - no matter at what point in the season - are always crucial.
All-time series: Tied 4-4
Prediction: Joe 10-7

Mismatch of the Week
Jack (6-3-1) vs. Adam (3-7)
Line: Jack -4.5
Info: Aside from a Week 7 loss to Hal, Adam has lost by at least five in each of his losses. Stunning statistic.
All-time series: Jack 6-2
Prediction: Jack 13-6

Upset of the Week
Andy (3-7) vs. Hal (4-6)
Line: Hal -2
Info: Both teams get one of their best players back (Hanley Ramirez for Andy and Matt Holliday for Hal), but Andy is a little more desperate for a win.
All-time series: Tied 1-1
Prediction: Andy 10-9

Rest of the Week
Chris (5-5) vs. Ken (8-2)
Line: Ken -2.5
Info: Ken's last five wins have been by a combined 13 points, so we expect this to be a tight one. But Chris does not have a quality win this year.
All-time series: Chris 6-1-1
Prediction: Ken 10-9

Shea (5-5) vs. Rick (1-7-2)
Line: Shea -4
Info: I pointed out last week how Shea's downfall starts in Week 10. He lost last week. Let's see if he avoids a disastrous loss this week.
All-time series: Rick 6-2
Prediction: Shea 11-8

Bob (7-3) vs. Dave (3-6-1)
Line: Bob -3
Info: Dave has the offense to beat Bob, so this isn't as one-sided as one might think, especially with Bob having struggled lifetime vs. Dave and having lost three of his last five.
All-time series: Bob 4-3-1
Prediction: Bob 12-7

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Week 10 Preview

Last week: 5-1
Overall: 29-17-2
Mismatch: 3-5
Upset special: 3-5



Match of the Week
Ken (7-2) vs. Shea (5-4)
Line: Ken -1.5
Info: As I mentioned in the power rankings, this is about the time Shea starts to go on a major skid. I don't see that happening this year; his team's for real. But...Ken owns Shea lifetime.
All-time series: Ken 7-1
Prediction: Ken 10-9

Mismatch of the Week
Hal (3-6) vs. Rick (1-6-2)
Line: Hal -2.5
Info: Incredibly, this is the biggest spread of the week. Hal has reached 9 points in six straight weeks and has won three out of four. Rick is using a top waiver priority for Corey Patterson.
All-time series: Hal 2-0
Prediction: Hal 10-6

Upset of the Week
None.

Rest of the Week
Bob (7-2) vs. Joe (5-3-1)
Line: Bob -2
Info: Joe is coming off back-to-back losses to Adam and Hal (combined 6-12) and Bob is coming off a down-to-the-wire match with lowly Rick. The difference? Bob won.
All-time series: Bob 5-3
Prediction: Bob 11-6

Chris (4-5) vs. Andy (3-6)
Line: Chris -1.5
Info: The two trade partners square off, days after their deal. Chris looking to get back to .500, while Andy hoping to just stay afloat.
All-time series: Chris 5-2-1
Prediction: Chris 12-8

Jack (6-2-1) vs. Mike (5-3-1)
Line: Jack -2
Info: Can anyone keep up with Jack's offense right now? Until someone can, we're not going to pick against him. I don't think Mike can even blame us.
All-time series: Jack 5-3
Prediction: Jack 12-7

Adam (3-6) vs. Dave (2-6-1)
Line: Adam -0.5
Info: Dare we call this an elimination game, ala the week leading up to the NCAA tournament? Sure, why not?
All-time series: Adam 5-3
Prediction: Adam 9-8
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Week 9 Preview

Last week: 3-3
Overall: 24-16-2
Mismatch: 2-5
Upset special: 3-4


Match of the Week
Mike (5-2-1) vs. Shea (4-4)
Line: Mike -2
Info: Shea is riding high, after his big Sunday gave him a win over Chris, but more importantly, he impressively backed up his guarantee. And he's talking trash again this week. We like the new style.
All-time series: Mike 5-2-1
Prediction: Shea 10-8

Mismatch of the Week
Bob (6-2) vs. Rick (1-5-1)
Line: Bob -6.5
Info: After barely getting 50 total bases all of last week, it's hard to see any possible way Rick beats Bob - or any of the top teams this year, really. I think we'll see Rick in this spot of the preview a lot.
All-time series: Bob 5-2-1
Prediction: Bob 14-6

Upset of the Week
Dave (2-4-1) vs. Ken (6-2)
Line: Ken -5
Info: Trap game for Ken. Absolute trap game. Coming off four wins in a row and a possibly huge matchup with Shea next week, Ken has to feel this is a win. And that's why we think Dave pulls the upset.
All-time series: Ken 5-3
Prediction: Dave 10-9

Rest of the Week
Jack (5-2-1) vs. Andy (3-5)
Line: Jack -4
Info: Another match with a pretty big line, something we don't see much of each week. Losing David Wright may have been the best thing for Jack - he has won the last two by a combined score of 30-7.
All-time series: Tied 4-4
Prediction: Jack 12-7

Hal (2-6) vs. Joe (5-2-1)
Line: Joe -2
Info: Hal's last five matchups have been decided by two points or fewer, hence the small line given the drastic difference in records. That, and Joe is beat up by injuries right now.
All-time series: Joe 2-0
Prediction: Hal 9-8

Adam (3-5) vs. Chris (3-5)
Line: Chris -1
Info: Two straight late-Sunday losses for Chris, while Adam is coming off his best win over the season (vs. Joe). The loser here probably can kiss any division-title hopes goodbye.
All-time series: Chris 5-3
Prediction: Chris 11-6
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Week 8 Preview

Last week: 5-0-1
Overall: 21-13-2
Mismatch: 2-4
Upset special: 2-4


Match of the Week
Mike (4-2-1) vs. Bob (6-1)
Line: Bob -2
Info: A stunningly lopsided head-to-head history, with Bob undefeated vs. Mike. A loss here, and frankly, it's tough to imagine Mike contending for the division.
All-time series: Bob 7-0-1
Prediction: Bob 11-8

Mismatch of the Week
Joe (5-1-1) vs. Adam (2-5)
Line: Joe -5
Info: Joe's average margin of victory has been 7, so if you're a betting man, give the points here. Adam does, however, get back Josh Hamilton.
All-time series: Adam 5-3
Prediction: Joe 13-5

Upset of the Week
Shea (3-4) vs. Chris (3-4)
Line: Chris -1.5
Info: We like Shea's confidence with the guarantee, and why shouldn't he be confident after getting back Chase Utley?
All-time series: Chris 4-3-1
Prediction: Shea 10-9

Rest of the Week
Jack (4-2-1) vs. Dave (2-4-1)
Line: Jack -4
Info: After a first-week tie, Jack has gone W2, L2, W2. Trends point to a loss this week. We're not buying it.
All-time series: Tied 2-2-4
Prediction: Jack 13-7

Hal (2-5) vs. Ken (5-2)
Line: Ken -4.5
Info: I hate to use the term "must-win" this early, but if Hal has any chance of winning the division, it probably is. He can't fall 4 GB.
All-time series: Ken 2-0
Prediction: Ken 10-7

Rick (2-5) vs. Andy (2-5)
Line: Even
Info: Two of the worst teams in the league in a matchup that could be crucial down the line for avoiding that last-place fee.
All-time series: Rick 5-2-1
Prediction: Rick 11-9
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(Rivalry) Week 7 Preview

Last week: 2-4
Overall: 16-13-1
Mismatch: 1-4
Upset special: 1-4


Match of the Week
Chris (3-3) vs. Bob (5-1)
Line: Bob -2.5
All-time series: Bob 6-2
Why this rivalry is special: They met in last year's championship game, with Bob taking home his second straight crown.
Prediction: Bob 12-7

Mismatch of the Week
Joe (4-1-1) vs. Andy (2-4)
Line: Joe -4
All-time series: Joe 5-3
Why this rivalry is special: They have twice met in the playoffs, with each winning once. They also have a get-on-each-other's-fantasy-nerves history.
Prediction: Joe 11-8

Upset of the Week
Ken (4-2) vs. Mike (4-1-1)
Line: Mike -1.5
All-time series: Mike 5-3
Why this rivalry is special: The two grew up together and also were co-managers on a New York All-Star baseball team.
Prediction: Ken 10-8

Rest of the Week
Jack (3-2-1) vs. Shea (3-3)
Line: Jack -2
All-time series: Jack 6-2
Why this rivalry is special: They are on completely opposite sides of just about every winter meeting issue that comes up for a vote.
Prediction: Jack 12-6

Adam (2-4) vs. Hal (1-5)
Line: Hal -2
All-time series: Tied 1-1
Why this rivalry is special: Two best friends trying to climb out of the basement of their divisions
Prediction: Hal 11-9

Dave (2-4) vs. Rick (1-4-1)
Line: Dave -1
All-time records: Rick 4-2-2
Why this rivalry is special: The quietest two managers, and over the past 30 weeks or so, the two worst.
Prediction: Dave 9-7

Tell us about your favorite rivalry moments here in the comments section below!
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Week 6 Preview

Last week: N/A
Overall: 14-9-1
Mismatch: 1-3
Upset special: 1-3



Match of the Week
Ken (3-2) vs. Andy (2-3)
Line: Ken -2
Info: We have a matchup here between two teams separated by a game for first place in an awful division. After this week, it's not out of the question for a four-way tie for first place at 3-3.
All-time series: Ken 5-3
Prediction: Andy 10-8

Mismatch of the Week
Shea (3-2) vs. Hal (0-5)
Line: Shea -3.5
Info: I honestly think this is the first time Shea has ever been the favored team in the featured Mismatch of the Week spot. Sorry, Hal.
All-time series: Tied 1-1
Prediction: Shea 12-6

Upset of the Week
Rick (1-3-1) vs. Chris (2-3)
Line: Chris -1.5
Info: Chris historically struggles with Rick (see below), and the clubhouse is somewhat panicking after watching their general manager trade away the star pitcher.
All-time series: Rick 6-2
Prediction: Rick 11-9

Rest of the Week
Jack (2-2-1) vs. Bob (5-0)
Line: Bob -3
Info: We thought Jack might give Bob a run for his money in this division, but the last two weeks have made us thought otherwise. Let's see if that changes again after this week.
All-time series: Tied 4-4
Prediction: Bob 13-6

Mike (3-1-1) vs. Adam (2-3)
Line: Mike -3
Info: Both of these offenses struggle at times - we could very well see the first homerless week. OK, that's probably going too far, but you get the point.
All-time series: Adam 5-3
Prediction: Mike 12-7

Dave (2-3) vs. Joe (3-1-1)
Line: Joe -3
Info: Joe begins a stretch of Dave, Andy, Adam and Hal before a showdown with Bob. If he can reel off at least three wins, which he should vs. under-.500 teams, that'd be a spicy showdown.
All-time series: Joe 5-3
Prediction: Joe 14-5
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Week 4 Preview

Last week: 5-1
Overall: 10-7-1
Upset special: 1-2
Mismatch: 1-2


Match of the week
Ken (2-1) vs. Joe (2-0-1)
Line: Joe -1.5
All-time series: Joe 5-3
Info: After a couple down season last year, it's nice to see Ken start the season hot, and nicer to see Joe back among the elites - for now, of course.
Prediction: Joe 11-8

Mismatch of the week
Jack (2-0-1) vs. Rick (0-3)
Line: Jack -4.5
All-time series: Jack 4-3-1
Info: It's tough to see Rick on such a downward spiral. He once was a power in this league. We're not quite sure what has happened.
Prediction: Jack 13-5

Upset of the week
Dave (1-2) vs. Hal (0-3)
Line: Dave -1
All-time series: Hal 1-0-1
Info: What's the odds that Dave would be favored in this matchup at the beginning of the year? Well, minus Pujols, we think Dave can be beaten.
Prediction: Hal 10-8

Rest of the week
Bob (3-0) vs. Andy (2-1)
Line: Bob -3
All-time series: Bob 5-3
Info: Bob's team just seems far and away better than everyone else's. What's new, though?
Prediction: Bob 12-6

Chris (1-2) vs. Mike (2-1)
Line: Mike -2
All-time series: Chris 5-3
Info: Mike jokingly refers to Chris as "The Hammer." We think Mike is actually gonna hammer Chris this week, though.
Prediction: Mike 13-4

Shea (1-2) vs. Adam (1-2)
Line: Even
All-time series: Adam 6-2
Info: Shea probably has more talent, but Adam has his number. This seems like a coin toss, so... heads it is!
Prediction: Shea 10-9

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