Ikonz/Rebels Playoff Preview

Perennial World Series rivals meet in the first round.

Ikonz return due to fundamentals

Manager Mihir Patel preaches defense, defense, and defense with timely offense. That is what lifted the Ikonz back to a serious contender in this year’s playoffs. The difference this time was in the public perception of the achievement. They finished this season with three consecutive wins and looking impressive at the same time. It appears they have their moxie back in defending their title and Manager Mihir Patel knows they are peaking at the right time. They will need to rely heavily on their defense and timely offense in their first round matchup. Look for key players such as Sohal Vakil, Tot Singh, and Mignesh Patel raise their game to help this team advance.

New Look Rebels look to surprise Ikonz.

The teams that Manager Vineet Arora led back in ’04,’05,’06 established themselves as the front runners lapping the field and establishing dominating wins. The balance of power shifted last year as the Ikonz emerged as the dominant force of the N.I.B.L. world. Still, the two teams open up against one another with one goal: reach the World Series. The Rebels will rely on a roster that is far different than the one that faced the Ikonz back on August 10^th. The key players for the Rebels who will need to be instrumental in order for the team to be successful are Anuj Patel, Tejas Patel, Manu Gupta, Sunny Arora, and Neil Patel. Newcomer Shine Gopalakrishnan could be an X factor in the team’s offense.

Why the Ikonz can win: The defending champions posted a record of 8-4 in the regular season. That record may be a little deceiving as they are probably better than what their record shows. Nonetheless, that is why you play the games on the field and in result they ended up with the # 3 seed in this year’s playoffs. They posses the best defense out of the four teams and the players on the roster have enough playoff experience to overcome whatever they might face in the playoffs. Like last season, they have made a late season run which they hope it will again carry over in the playoffs.

Why the Rebels can win: Like the Ikonz, the Rebels players who are on the playoff roster, have enough experience in the playoffs in which they are battle tested. They have an above average defense and with a full squad can hit with anyone. Hunger is a key factor on this team since half the players have been in the playoffs but do not have a championship and are following the lead of the guys who have won championships in the past. Anuj Patel has come out of his offensive doldrums and is providing the spark the Rebels had hoped for earlier in the season.

POSITION ANALYSIS

Catcher Offensive Edge: Even
Catcher Defensive Edge: Even

First Base Offensive Edge: Rebels
First Base Defensive Edge: Even

Second Base Offensive Edge: Ikonz
Second Base Defensive Edge: Even

Shortstop Offensive Edge: Rebels
Shortstop Defensive Edge: Even

Third Base Offensive Edge: Even
Third Base Defensive Edge: Ikonz

Outfield Offensive Edge: Ikonz
Outfield Defensive Edge: Even