Then there were four! After an exciting quarterfinal round last weekend, the PLL is narrowed down to the final four teams, as they play this weekend with a trip to the championship game on the line. Let’s dive into the PLL picks and best bets for the playoff semifinal.
PLL Picks and Best Bets for the Playoff Semifinal
Last week in Foxborough the action started with the Navy Seals taking down the Army Green Berets in an epic battle of America’s finest in a lacrosse match. It was followed up by the Carolina Chaos snagging an upset win in a low-scoring game over the Boston Cannons. Then the Denver Outlaws and Maryland Whipsnakes had a classic duel, which the Whipsnakes won to keep their season alive.
This week the action heads to Hempstead, New York’s James M. Shuart Stadium for semifinal round action. It’ll kick off with another matchup of America’s finest, this time with the Battle of the Badges as the New York Police Department takes on the New York Fire Department in what should be an instant classic.
PLL Picks and Best Bets for the Playoff Semifinal
Maryland Whipsnakes (+1.5) vs New York Atlas (-1.5)
Following that Battle of the Badges game, the Whipsnakes will take on the Atlas. The Whipsnakes came out of the gate slow against the Outlaws last week but finished strong behind the performance of rookie Adam Portras.
The Atlas have been the class of the league all year long led by Jeff Teat. The Atlas finished the season 7-3 with a scoring differential more than double the next team in the league. They lost their last game against the 2-8 Waterdogs, but that may have just been them looking toward the playoffs.
These teams played twice in the regular season, the first meeting coming in Week 1 with New York claiming the 17-13 victory. They faced off again in Week 4, this time the Whipsnakes would claim the victory 16-12. Everything about this game should be hard-fought. There’s no doubt New York has been the best team of the season, but Maryland has proven they can’t be counted out. For that reason, I have to go with the underdog here.
Pick: Whipsnakes +1.5 (-125)
Carolina Chaos (+1.5) vs Utah Archers (-1.5)
The final game of the Semifinal weekend pits the Chaos vs the Archers. Carolina finished the season just 4-6 but managed to pull off the upset last week over the 7-3 Boston Cannons. Proving they are a team that can’t be overlooked. They did it their way, which is to keep it a low-scoring closer game and now they sit one win away from the title game.
The Archers absolutely battled through Week 11 just surviving against the eliminated California Redwoods, before turning around and toppling the Outlaws for the precious Western Conference and that coveted bye week. A bye week the Outlaws desperately wish they would have had.
These teams also played twice in the regular season, the first time in Week 3 where it was the Archers holding on for a 7-4 victory. In Week 9 the tables were turned, and the Chaos took home the victory in the higher-scoring affair with a 15-14 final.
Much like the other game, both teams have proven they can beat the other and win in any situation. However, it feels like the game of playing tight defensive battles won’t work forever for the Chaos. While one upset was impressive, I think the Archers get the better of them and take home a convincing win.
Pick: Archers -1.5 (-110)
