LINE: Team RamRod -17
Oddly, I'm going to guess RamRod wishes they weren't hosting this matchup on their home turf. In 3 tries, they have yet to win at home and Baby Got Dak is coming to town with an average of 126.5 points per game over the past 2 weeks. The good news for RamRod is that Dak will be leaving their top receiver, Cooper Kupp, behind on a bye. The bad news for RamRod is that most of their team is also on bye, severely limiting their options. But don't let that sway you. RamRod has some very favorable player matchups and I get the sense that Dak has been a bit of an overachiever lately. I expect Dak to have a down week and RamRod should have no trouble capitalizing on this opportunity.
COMMISH'S PICK: Team RamRod
LINE: Who Is You -1
At first glance, this looks like a matchup that should be over before it even gets started. Who Is You is 6-2 and sitting atop the Cactus division while Badazz Bri can't seem to find the staircase to lead them out of the basement in the Sagebrush division. But, here's a number you should consider: 63%. That is the rate that Badazz Bri has outscored You over each week this season. Add in the fact that the only other time Bri has ever hosted You, they crushed them by 66 points, 151 to 85. I'm not suggesting that they'll do that again, but when you consider the fact that Badazz Bri is averaging 20 more points per game than Who Is You over the past 3 weeks, I think this game has serious upset potential. And when you notice the odds makers are only giving 1 point to Badazz Bri you begin to get the sense that I'm not the only one who thinks that way.
COMMISH'S PICK: Badazz Bri
LINE: Blue Ribbon -8
Flash Gordon Field has been a home-away-from-home for Blue Ribbon. In 4 visits, they're 4-0 while averaging 141.5 points per game. You could also make the argument they're more comfortable there than Thundabuddies. In 5 home games this season, Thundabuddies has only a single victory to show for it - fans are not happy. And the fact that this is an inter-league matchup doesn't bode well for Thundabuddies either. In 3 inter-league games this season, they're 0-3 with an average score of 84.6 points. On the other hand, Blue Ribbon isn't exactly tearing up the competition on the opposite side of the league either. They've only won 1 of 3 inter-league games with an average score of just over 93 points. I have a hunch both teams will turn things around this week and put up some better numbers, but I think Blue Ribbon comes away with the victory in the end.
COMMISH'S PICK: Blue Ribbon
LINE: Chief Sticky Balls -18
No team has scored fewer points this season than NH Bounty Hunters. Yet, they're somehow 4-4 and still very much in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Cactus division. Over the past 2 weeks, the Hunters have scored 65 and 67 points, respectively, and that spells trouble when you're playing host to the highest scoring team over the past 3 weeks. Chief Sticky Balls is averaging a league-high 124 points per game over that span which would explain why they're the biggest favorite this week. It has been 4 weeks since the last time Balls score less than 105 points and I certainly don't see that coming to an end this week. With Bounty Hunters players facing a slew of awful matchups, I can't imagine they come anywhere close to scoring 100. This game has all the ingredients of a blowout. Take the Balls.
COMMISH'S PICK: Chief Sticky Balls
LINE: Los Perros Locos -10
This game marks the 13th time these two will face off. In the previous 12 games, Los Perros Locos have done well, winning 8 while holding Hein!!! to only 97.4 points in those contests. Plus, the Perros are coming off their biggest week of the season, 171 points. But I would caution the Perros and advise them to temper their excitement considering they're 0-3 on the road this season. Although Hein!!! is coming off their 1st loss this year, they've been busy making deals this week and it will be interesting to see if their new talent ignites the spark needed to get them back on the winning track. Despite the difference in their records and Power Rankings, Los Perros Locos have outscored Hein!!! in 5 of 8 weeks this season and my gut tells me they could do it again. However, I think this matchup ends up being a close game so, if you take Perros, don't give more than 3 points.
COMMISH'S PICK: Los Perros Locos
LINE: Pork Chop Express -15
Pork Chop Express have yet to lose in inter-league play this season, but they'll face an opponent that they've struggled with in the past. The Chops are 0-3 against Flash Dem TD's all-time, with TD's averaging an impressive 136.33 points per game in those contests. But it's been tough sledding for TD's over the past couple weeks. They've dropped two in a row including a loss last week despite putting up a season-high of 140 points. Considering the fact that it has been 6 weeks since Pork Chops last scored less than 100 points, there's little doubt that TD's will need another big week to pull off the win. With an even mix of favorable/unfavorable player matchups, and without their kicker, I just don't see TD's keeping up with Pork Chops this time around. I'll take Pork Chop Express to keep rollin' along towards the playoffs.
COMMISH'S PICK: Pork Chop Express
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