Friends in eye black,

10-1 is still possible, but 9-2 is now the heavy favorite to be the record of our champ.

Related: The final four clubs have the LOWEST combined regular season win total in the history of the MLB playoffs.

Baseball has been around for a long time. Let that one soak in.

And let us sort through the chaos...

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PICKS

Picks:

• PHI over ARI (73% to 27%)
• TEX over HOU (64/36)

COMMISH COMMENTARY

We may never see a MLB Playoffs Pick'em this hard ever again... no matter how long we do this.

I mean... I went 0-4 last round and am 1-7 so far while ACTUALLY TRYING TO MAKE GOOD PICKS.

We collectively averaged just 1.5 wins in the Division Series, and have averaged 3.6 wins total thus far.

Goodness.

But somehow, some way, @SteveArooney is atop our standings with 704 points, having posted a 7-1 record so far.

Steve's 7-1 is one point better than 5 others who've gone 7-1. Why? Because Steve was the only one of that bunch to get all 4 Division Series picks right. And later round picks count for more.

Our leader's only miss? The Rays in round 1. He accounted for that miss by correctly picking the team that beat the Rays (Texas) to dispatch of the Orioles in the Division Series.

Here's how our top six picked the LCS:

• @steveArooney (704 pts): PHI-HOU
• @BK1NG (703 pts): PHI-HOU
• @Gracie (703 pts): PHI-HOU
• @SHNRCH777 (703 pts): ARI-TEX
• @mwloeper (703 pts): PHI-HOU
• @davidjosephaguilar (703 pts): PHI-TEX

That means an ARI-HOU World Series could produce a surprise pool champ. Otherwise, one or more of these six will be on top heading into the final pick.

COMMENT AWARDS

Bartolo Colon Home Run Club Award

The week's funniest/best comment (a club of one, just like Big Sexy’s career home run total)

@Davidb113 (Rangers, Phillies): "So I checked what the winnings are for only picking the Phillies game correctly each round. Couldn't find it. Commish can you help? Also from here on out I'm going to go 3-3. Be ready. This is real now. "
Commish says: This comment is a perfect encapsulation of how it's gone for us all. No, you don't win anything. No, there are not 6 series left. No, I cannot help. But you're doing better than me AND ISN'T THIS STILL FUN?!

"I Could Sell You Expos Tickets" Award

The week's most convincing comment, because there's still a market for Expos tickets

@bowser48 (Astros, Phillies): "No doubt, the Astros and Phillies were the 2 best teams when the playoffs began and they’ll be in the World Series on October 27. DON’T BET ON IT !!!"
Commish says: You make this seem SO obvious. You'd do well on TV. I think Skip Bayless is still looking for co-hosts to oppose him?

MORE COMMENTS

@jrcondon (Rangers, Diamondbacks): "ok, here's where I start my big comeback... right?"
Commish says: No but cool picks.

@LasLiLo1432 (Rangers, Phillies): "A rematch of last year's World Series feels inevitable, so I have to shake it up a bit."
Commish says: BUT JUST A BIT. DON'T GET CRAZY.

@Shaggybrak (Rangers, Diamondbacks): "I've been so wrong, why start paying attention now?"
Commish says: You finished SECOND in Dusty Survivor. That just happened like a month ago, Shaggy. And now you're THIS defeated?!

@NotthatDanSnyder (Astros, Phillies): "Really hoping for the D-Backs, but it’s too bold to pick ‘em. "
Commish says: IT'S NOT TOO BOLD, OTHER DAN SNYDER.

@Salroc_ (Astros, Phillies): "TALKIN BOUT THE PHITINS"
Commish says: Featuring this until the Phillies lose. If they don't lose, they shall immediately hire you as their new mascot / good luck charm / hype man / general manager.

@Johnson67 (Astros, Phillies): "Taking Houston and Philly, BUT, I would rather have the Underdogs!!!"
Commish says: It's NEVER too late for a Hedge of Happiness!

Yours in stealing home,
The Commish