METRO NORTH 2023-2024 SEASON TOUR STOP 5 PREDICTIONS

The holidays are officially upon us, and with them the 2023-2024 UBA Season Tour is a third of the way through. In the Metro North, things look quite different compared to how they did at this point last year, with many expectations (including my own) already being challenged. There’s still a lot of season left, a lot of matches left to be bowled… but these next few stops should prove crucial to the playoff picture. A mere 16 points separate 1st through 6th right now, with the middle of the pack not lagging too far behind that – basically it’s still anyone’s season to win… or to lose. Let’s take a look at the matchups for stop number 5:

Royalty On Da Lanes (2nd | 110-50) vs Da Royalty (10th | 61-99)

The battle of the monarchs. Two teams with very similar names, but in extremely different situations. One is a big win away from possibly sliding into first, while the other is fighting to save their season.

Prediction: I’m going with the “on paper” prediction here. I know Da Royalty was my dark horse pick at the beginning of the season, but Royalty On Da Lanes might be too much for them to handle. The higher ranked team wins this one.

Apocalypse (1st | 118-42) vs Class aXe (7th | 75-85)

This match is very much like the one I described above. This one, in my opinion, will come down to how well these teams’ big hitters decide to bowl – I know both of these teams have been busy acquiring some high averages, now let’s see which ones actually show up and bowl.

Prediction: Okay, yeah. Calling Class aXe the underdog in their last match was definitely a joke, guys. It’s not this time. Apocalypse, at this point, is the strongest team in the entire division. That said, I’m going with the underdogs in this one, for a few reasons. Crisis mode is a great motivator, and not even the best teams can win every single time. Should be a very high scoring match on both sides either way.

Secret Invasion (4th | 96-64) vs The Tribe (5th | 95-65)

I think this is the toughest match to predict out of the entire bunch. Yeah, the fact that these teams are separated by only one point is an obvious factor, but it’s more than that. Both of these teams have had very chaotic starts to the season, and I honestly believe that anything is possible in this one. We could see a 40 piece, a 20-20 split – this matchup is both a literal and figurative wildcard.

Prediction: I’m taking Tribe here. As an outside observer of both teams, I think I can see where the momentum is. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – momentum is important.

Team Beloved (12th | 34-126) vs Devilz Rejects (9th | 63-97)

This is do-or-die time, you two. Each of these teams has an opportunity to save their seasons over the next few stops, with this match being a vital step in putting that train back on its rails. So, which team will recognize how important this one is?

Prediction: Devilz Rejects, congratulations. You’re officially not the underdog in this one. And what’s more – I think you guys are gonna win. But that said, I might have just motivated Team Beloved to take this match seriously… good luck everyone!

Controlled Chaos (6th | 94-66) vs BOA (11th | 42-118)

Touching on momentum once again, here is another pivotal match. Controlled Chaos has a chance to possibly climb into the top four this weekend. BOA, on the other hand, can bring that momentum to a halt and start salvaging their season with a win here.

Prediction: I’m not gonna disrespect Controlled Chaos by picking their opponents twice in a row, and while thinking they are the better team. Y’all proved me wrong last time, so please prove me right on Saturday by winning.

Area 51-8 (8th | 65-95) vs City Morgue (3rd | 107-53)

You guys knew this one was coming. And no – I didn’t save it for last for any other reason except that I list out matches in order of lane assignment/shift, and we just happen to be match #6 at this stop. In all seriousness, both of these teams need this win. While being the early favorite, City Morgue has had a couple of shaky outings at our most recent stops and I expect them to show up to this one ready for war. But my team understands the assignment and knows what kind of environment we’ll be walking into.

Prediction: Area 51-8 wins. See you soon, Morgue!

There it is. As stated above, this has been a really strange start to the season. While many of my predictions have been correct, others have been… not so much. As we close out 2023, the full picture in the Metro North will become a bit clearer, and it will be very interesting to see what the points and rankings look like after this weekend!

-Gabrius