Here are some more predictions.
Also, happy birthday
DrReuniclus! I hope you're having a nice day.
2.
SoulWind vs. 10. Typhlosion48 - SoulWind 12-0d Finch last weekend, though the ORAS game in particular doesn't truly reflect the power imbalance the score might indicate. Nevertheless, it was another confident and commanding showing for SoulWind to add to his long list of accomplishments. In fact, SoulWind looked sharp to the point where you get the feeling he's going to get robbed in the final by beatiful or something like that. Taking it one round at a time for now, I do think he's going to win this series. Typhlosion48 started to unravel a little bit against Pohjis, though Pohjis is one of the hardest players to truly beat in our entire community. Finishing off Pohjis is like winning a 50-shot rally against Novak Djokovic in tennis. He's just gonna get everything back, so you really have to get the ball past him somehow. SoulWind, however, is a different animal. Typhlosion has impressed me, but SoulWind historically does not slip up in series like these.
3. Giannis Antetokommo-o vs. 11.
BKC - This is by far the most alpha vs. beta match-up remaining, which was confirmed by Giannis' comments following the SS game against ima earlier today. After being praised for overcoming ima's, and this is true, Trubbish, Giannis made sure to let the people know he is only this good in SS. I'm all for a humble and respectful attitude, but there's no need to talk yourself down like that, Giannis. You're clearly very capable and you legit cannot make top 8 of Smogon Tour playoffs, let alone qualifying for them at all, without also being able to win SM and/or ORAS games. You're good at this game! BKC, meanwhile, brought the heat against Ojama and undeniably announced to the competition that he's capable of winning it all, even without the old gens he's more at home in. Giannis has been feasting on the competition all year, but the Greek Freak's dominant dining is going to end here. Czech, please!
4. beatiful vs. 5.
Empo - Here's a fun little game: let's all try and predict how long this entire series is going to take, and whoever gets closest gets drafted by M Dragon in SPL alongside H.M.N.I.P. Surely it won't take longer than like 14 minutes. In fact, I'll go with 11 minutes as my final answer. These two will be clicking faster than Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling in the movie The Notebook. If they start 10 minutes early, only The Sprinkler will get to watch the series, as he'll be there idling on Smogtours asking for DPP games. Seriously, my grandfather's pacemaker doesn't even click this fast. If these two ever manage a team together it'll be called the Cerulean Cave Clickitungs. Alright, alright, I think I'm done. bea might win the SS game, but Empo will win the SM and ORAS games for sure. Book it and book it fast, because these two will pounce on any last minute offer faster than anyone else could. Alright now I'm really done.
8.
John W vs. 16. Kenix - John W has been managed or captained by reyscarface into starry blanket into Tricking, and boy does it show. Here I was thinking Donald Trump took the early celebrations far, but man. In any case, I like the confidence. Kenix impressed me in his R1 series as well, though I think I was more so let down a bit by BK's team selection. SM was unwinnable for BK and Kenix had a bit of a shaky endgame in the ORAS game, so I'm not quite convinced yet. John has been stringing together a very impressive year across both team and individual tournaments, which has me inclined to lean towards the consistent and more experienced option. Kenix clearly isn't afraid of the occassion, though, so I certainly can't rule out the upset. If John decides to pipe up again, but this time he loses the series, then Kenix's massive army of supporters will never let John live it down. Could be spicy and should be a great series to watch.