Week 12 predictions

 Predicted Winners are in bold:

Carlin vs. Randell

What’s At Stake: At various points in the season I’ve heard Jacoby, Wallman, Beilis been described as the best team in the league but I’ve never heard the same said about Carlin. At 10-3, this team shouldn’t have to do anything to prove they belong in the discussion, but defeating a suddenly hot Team Randell will end any speculation once and for all. The amazing part about Randell’s recent streak is not all of their top players are performing as well as we’ve expected. And yet they are only 1.5 games behind the once invincible Team Jacoby.

Bykofsky vs. Jacoby

Do you remember how the Yankees made all those bad free agent moves for starting pitching because they failed to see how pitching in the NL is so much easier than pitching in the AL(Jaret Wright, Carl Pavano, Kevin Brown, etc.)? Well that’s like comparing teams in the NL vs. the AL this year. If Team Jacoby was playing in the other league, they would probably be just in the middle of the pack. I bought into their 8-0 start also. It’s not like I thought they’d go undefeated, but I didn’t immediately realize their incredible record was almost solely due to the fact they hadn’t played AL teams yet. Team Bykfosky very well could be Jacoby’s equal despite not getting nearly as much respect. It might be hard for them to overtake Carlin, Beilis, and Wallman but this week should prove that they’re just as good, if not better, than any National League team with the exception of Applebaum.

And quick analysis for the rest of the games:

Wallman vs. Mamone:

Wallman’s got their groove back. A loss here would be the upset of the week.

Younger vs. Pollock:

A horrible season has turned even more miserable after season ending injuries to Darren Freeman and Matt Pollock. The eternal optimist in me still sees signs that we can turn it around, but the evidence so far shows we have as long climb to respectability. Playing an undermanned Younger squad could be a good start.

Marrone vs. Applebaum:

Yes, I expect Applebaum’s dominance to continue. I never count out Marrone with all that offense though.

Lapine vs. Feldman

This is the toughest game on the board. I just don’t know what to make of Team Lapine.

Goldfarb vs. Harris

Team Goldfarb can hang with any team in this league. They’re a 9-4 team living in a 7-6 disguised as a 7-6 team right now. This is the week they turn it around.

Beilis vs. Granese

5 out of the 8 games last week were decided by 9 or more runs. The oppressive heat had everything to do with it. When a bad team goes down early in weather like that, it’s very hard to fight back. I think we’re looking at similar situations this week as all including this one.