Shanghai Major : Our Playoffs Pick ems

Well, well… The pick ems for the Elimination Stage certainly had me sweating bullets, especially after NAVI’s blunder. I’ll admit, I was oversold on 3DMAX. I feel we could be looking at a different picture had they converted their opening Bo1 against MIBR, but let bygones be bygones.

FaZe, though, managed to play savior, clutching victory after an agonizing third map showdown with FURIA. With their win, we scrape by with five picks intact. If you’ve been riding along with our predictions, congratulations! You’ve bagged five correct picks in both stages and remain in contention for the Diamond Coin. Onward, then, to the grand finale: the Playoffs Pick Ems.

The First Round

Starting from the top, we have The MongolZ facing off against MOUZ. My brain says MOUZ, but my heart pounds for The MongolZ. Call me sentimental, but I’m following my instincts here. Next, we have Spirit versus Liquid. Spirit has looked wobbly outside of their wunderkind donk, and I’ve made a sport of underestimating Liquid throughout the Elimination Stage, but I see no reason to stop now. Spirit gets my vote.

Now to the G2 vs. Heroic clash, which is arguably the hardest call of the lot. It’s a coin toss, but in a best-of-three, I don’t see G2 faltering. Heroic has looked solid, defied all expectations already, but this might just be where their ship hits the iceberg.

Lastly, we have Vitality vs. FaZe. On paper, Vitality’s been in great form, while FaZe has evidently looked shaky. Logic dictates this should be a Vitality win. But this is FaZe we’re talking about. The deeper they venture, the deadlier they become. But, as a FaZe fanboy, I’ll anti-jinx here, and place my bets on Vitality. I promise you this isn’t because of my greed for a diamond. FaZe wins the Major.

The Second Round

If my predictions hold true, we’ll see The MongolZ take on Spirit. And oh boy, what a match that would be. Once again, I’m siding with my heart over my head and placing my faith in the Mongolian squad. They may not be the favorites, but that is where they thrive, as underdogs. Here’s hoping my Asian brethren make it to the finals because what a spectacle that would be!

In the other semi-final for the Shanghai Major, G2 faces Vitality, a Semi-Final Bo3 worthy of a Finale. I have to give Vitality the edge here; they’ve been the favorites, and favorites don’t fall this close to the finish line. Right? I hope NiKo doesn’t see my pick ems and decide to slam another desk on them.

The Major Winners

And now, the hypothetical Final. Vitality vs. The MongolZ. A part of me chuckles that I have made a team with an average age of just 20 come this far in my predictions. While my romantic side wants The MongolZ to defy all odds, my pragmatic side sees ZywOo leading Vitality to victory and himself to a second Major MVP.

On a completely different note, how my intrusive thoughts wish for G2 to win the Major. Imagine the poetic justice, NiKo clinching his first Major when he least expects it. And thereafter, decides to call it quits on his Falcons dreams to play for another 4 years with his cousin.

This Major is wide open. While Vitality stands as the presumed favorite, no team is safe. My picks blend cold logic with the occasional tug at the heartstrings, but in the end, Pick’ems are only fun when you do it yourself. So go forth, trust your instincts, and make your own calls.

Good luck on your journey to the Diamond Coin!