We're approaching the conclusion of the GSL calendar year, and, as always, with the end of the season come desperate point tallying and calculations by players on the brink of qualifying for BlizzCon. With 3 heavyweights and one rather lightweight candidate all vying for the chance to proceed deeper into Code S, Group D promises us an explosive end to the Ro16.
Stats’ 2018 has been nothing if not a roller coaster of success and failure. A finals appearance in the first GSL and a clutch win in the first Super Tournament had us believe that Stats was going to continue his remarkable record of consistency, but a sudden and disappointing mid year slump saw him turn in questionable results for a player of his quality. However, Stats came roaring back in GSL vs The World, with a win over the current best player in the world in Maru and a bitterly fought loss against Serral. Stats is returning to form right on time, and should be favored to advance from this group as well.
Keen on the other hand is fighting to get to the upper echelons in the first place. Despite qualifying for all 3 GSLs this year, he’s yet to get past the group stages. While even making the Ro16 should be considered an achievement, Keen would surely prefer to make a statement by advancing here and cementing himself as a strong player capable of challenging for tournaments. While his TvP winrate initially looks quite promising at over 60% since the summer, it quickly disintegrates under further inspection, as most of it stems from wins against middle-tier or slumping opponents, and only a few wins over notable names such as Trap and Stats. His chances of turning this season into the success story he craves are rather slim.
TY looks to win the double whammy of getting a secure Blizzcon spot and regaining his reputation as a world class player. While points may be the most immediate matter of attention, re-attaining his championship abilities is also a must for TY. After a fruitious 2017, this year hasn’t been as kind to him as he would have liked. While he hasn’t played at a particularly diminished level, as can be seen from his extremely respectable online numbers, the trophies just haven't followed as they did previously. His campaign in Katowice lead only to a quarterfinal finish while his GSL runs were cut short abruptly by aLive and Zest. While reaching the quarterfinals of any tournament is normally an impressive feat, given TY’s skill and recently found ability to win championships, these results wouldn't excite him too much. He should still be considered strong enough to make a deep run in any tournament he enters, and this GSL is not exception.
Last but not least, sOs. Like, TY, sOs comes to this group in urgent need of victory. Currently on the cusp of qualification for BlizzCon, a win and the points that come with it would provide a much rosier outlook for the Jin Air madman. Cutting it close has become a tradition for sOs, who will need yet another late push if he is to secure his BlizzCon spot and get a chance to challenge for a third WCS trophy. This year has not been particularly great for him, though, and anyone in this group is able to take him out if he doesn't step up his game.
Predictions:
Stats 2 > 0 Keen TY 2 > 1 sOs Stats 2 > 1 TY Keen 0 < 2 sOs TY 2 > 1 sOs
On August 24 2018 22:22 fronkschnonk wrote: Actually TY got taken out by Zest in the semifinals in season 2 after beating Gumiho in the quarterfinals.
Also you're a little bit too harsh to Keen imo. He should be able to take a map or two if not even winning a match.
OMG I don't know why Im suffering from tournament record brain farts when writing And yeah, maybe I'm overdoing his weakness, but really, considering Keen never really was a mainstay as a top contender ever since Wings died off, I think its more than possible he'll just go 0-4.
So, Stats and sOs... right? I actually think that TY is the best player in this group, but I dont see him beating his cryptonite. The draw is just too unlucky for him....
Now in a normal world I'd say Stats and TY, but this is a world with sOs in it. Stats has quietly become one of the best PvP players in the world while he is also very solid in PvT so I would back him to get out this group even against sOs. While sOs does have the mind games, Stats showed his ability to play in a non-standard way against Serral and if it does come to a macro game Stats just flattens him. With TY it's a much larger question. Against any other opponent with the same relative forms as they have I would back TY but sOs appears to be uniquely equipped to combat TY and unless something incredible happens I don't see that changing. I don't see Keen doing well, he is playing against three LOTV heavyweights while being relatively inexperienced at this level himself. While there is always the chance of an upset and I can see him taking a map I see it being highly unlikely as such my predictions are as follows:
Stats 2-0 KeeN TY 0-2 sOs Stats 2-1 sOs TY 2-1 KeeN TY 1-2 sOs
I think the consensus is that Stats is the favorite, and Keen is likely to be ousted. We haven't seen too much TY lately, especially in a big event. Sorta the same with sOs. And both looked weaker than normal the last time they were shown. It'll be interesting to watch sOs vs TY, as both of them may end up being the dark horse in RO8.
EPT
Stats 2 > 0 Keen 
