Playoff Preview: 
Down Home Blues (6-4-2) vs. 
Wildcards (12-1-1)
Down Home Blues (6-4-2) vs. 
Wildcards (12-1-1)2010 Regular Season: Week 2: Blues 6 @ Wildcards 9
Week 10: Wildcards 12 @ Blues 4
Playoff history: The Wildcards defeated the Blues last year in a consolation game following their semi-final defeats to, respectively, the Warriors and eventual champions, the Bears.
Down Home Blues notes: P Craig Corbie, following a 12-4 week 10 loss to the Wildcards, vowed that the results would be different should his wish be fulfilled and the teams meet in the playoffs. He’s gotten his wish.
The Blues have managed to qualify for a playoff spot despite missing several key players down the stretch. Their week 10 loss to the Wildcards was with a depleted lineup due to injury. Going into the playoffs, the team claims they are 100% healthy and they will have “all hands on deck”. Though they lost to the ‘Cards with a full lineup, they held them to just 9 runs, by far their worst offensive output all season. If they can do that while putting up numbers that they’re capable of, the Wildcards could be in trouble.
The Blues have been playing life-or-death all year, never managing a record two games above .500. With playoff-aspirations in jeopardy and an ever-changing lineup, the Blues overcame all of that to qualify for the fourth and final playoff spot. They are arguably the more battle-tested and primed of the two teams.
Wildcards notes: Despite a final regular season loss to the Warriors, the Wildcards secured a third President’s Trophy on their mantle and cruised into the postseason with not only the best record, but by far the widest run differential margin in the WSL. With the Bears missing the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, the Wildcards draw a different semi-final opponent for the first time in three.
Nobody on the team has said anything, probably because it doesn’t need to be said: the time is now for the Wildcards. Many have questioned their ability to win important games, evidenced by their three consecutive first-round exits despite winning seasons.
The Wildcards have, arguably, played stress-free since the beginning of the season. This is both a testiment to their abilities and a curse. Sure, they’ve fallen behind in some games, but most of their “distress” have come when their lead drops below five runs. Some say the lack of stress is a sign of a veteran team; the ability to temper crisis with confidence. Others note the lack of stress has fostered a team that, while strong in mind, may show cracks in spirit if they were to fall behind.
The question remains: if the going gets tough, will the Wildcards bend or break?
Playoff history: The Wildcards defeated the Blues last year in a consolation game following their semi-final defeats to, respectively, the Warriors and eventual champions, the Bears.
Down Home Blues notes: P Craig Corbie, following a 12-4 week 10 loss to the Wildcards, vowed that the results would be different should his wish be fulfilled and the teams meet in the playoffs. He’s gotten his wish.
The Blues have managed to qualify for a playoff spot despite missing several key players down the stretch. Their week 10 loss to the Wildcards was with a depleted lineup due to injury. Going into the playoffs, the team claims they are 100% healthy and they will have “all hands on deck”. Though they lost to the ‘Cards with a full lineup, they held them to just 9 runs, by far their worst offensive output all season. If they can do that while putting up numbers that they’re capable of, the Wildcards could be in trouble.
The Blues have been playing life-or-death all year, never managing a record two games above .500. With playoff-aspirations in jeopardy and an ever-changing lineup, the Blues overcame all of that to qualify for the fourth and final playoff spot. They are arguably the more battle-tested and primed of the two teams.
Wildcards notes: Despite a final regular season loss to the Warriors, the Wildcards secured a third President’s Trophy on their mantle and cruised into the postseason with not only the best record, but by far the widest run differential margin in the WSL. With the Bears missing the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, the Wildcards draw a different semi-final opponent for the first time in three.
Nobody on the team has said anything, probably because it doesn’t need to be said: the time is now for the Wildcards. Many have questioned their ability to win important games, evidenced by their three consecutive first-round exits despite winning seasons.
The Wildcards have, arguably, played stress-free since the beginning of the season. This is both a testiment to their abilities and a curse. Sure, they’ve fallen behind in some games, but most of their “distress” have come when their lead drops below five runs. Some say the lack of stress is a sign of a veteran team; the ability to temper crisis with confidence. Others note the lack of stress has fostered a team that, while strong in mind, may show cracks in spirit if they were to fall behind.
The question remains: if the going gets tough, will the Wildcards bend or break?
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