BSL Week 9: The Final Act Before the Playoffs, Playoff-clinching scenarios & matchups

Bowlero, who has been known to skimp on the oil at times, surprisingly unveiled a new 72-foot oil pattern in week 8, and it threw every team a curveball (or non-curve ball in this case). The stage was set for a dramatic finish to the BSL regular season, after week 8 delivered a tale of comebacks, unlikely heroes, and just enough suspense to keep everyone on the edge of their seats for the finale.

We're right at the finish line for the regular season, and wow, what a journey it has been. This season has felt straight out of a Disney movie, full of twists, turns, and emotional rollercoasters. Much like Lightning McQueen’s unpredictable laps in Cars, teams have sped to the front of the pack only to skid out the next week, while others have shown that even when the current feels too strong, if you just keep swimming, you may eventually find your way. Nearly every squad has reached the highest of highs, as well as the lowest of lows.

After 9 years of BSL, this season may be one of the most competitive seasons that we’ve seen yet. What makes this year historic is simple: every single team remains in contention for the playoffs. There are no foregone conclusions, no easy wins, no Scar versus Simba mismatches. On Any Given Wednesday, every single team has shown the capability to take down another. It’s rare to see a season where the narrative isn’t decided until the very last regular-season showdown, but that’s the story of this league in 2025. One strike, one spare, one frame could be the difference between glory and going home.

As the final week approaches, the season feels like the stage for an Avengers: Endgame moment; every team assembled, every pin counts, every outcome shaping destiny. If this season has taught us anything, it’s that no squad should ever be underestimated. Week 9 isn’t just the close of the regular season; it’s the climax of what may go down as one of the most competitive campaigns this league has ever seen.

• The Roar Omega Roar squad has lived up to every bit of their Monsters University reputation, storming through the season with a mix of confidence and consistency. While other teams are clawing and scratching for position, RΩR has already slammed the door on doubt, becoming the first, and only team to officially clinch a playoff berth. Their blend of intimidation and execution has set them apart from the pack, proving that the roar isn’t just for show. With the postseason looming, the monsters of the lanes have made it clear: the road to the championship runs straight through Roar Omega Roar.

• Goof Troop has kept things steady all season long, never straying too far from the playoff picture and proving that a little goofiness can go a long way. While they haven’t locked up a postseason berth like Roar Omega Roar, they’re knocking on the door and don’t need much more to secure their spot. With a mix of laughs, grit, and just enough strikes to stay ahead, the Troop sits comfortably in contention—just a step or two away from turning their steady season into a guaranteed playoff run.

• Once left wandering in the shadows of the standings, the Lyin’ Kings and Big Strike 4 have roared and rolled their way back into the playoff picture. Both teams, once stuck in the bottom half of the league and written off as longshots, now sit tied for third place after a late-season surge worthy of a Disney comeback montage. The Lyin’ Kings have rediscovered their pride at the lanes, while Big Strike 4 has lived up to their name with clutch performances that have shaken the standings. With one game left, both squads now hold their fate in their own hands; control the boards, and they control their playoff destiny.
  
  

• The Incredi-bowls, burst onto the scene like Mr. Incredible saving the day, dominating early weeks and quickly becoming the league’s “super” favorites to win it all. But just as Syndrome proved, even heroes face adversity, and lately the squad has struggled to keep pace. Once cruising with Dash-like speed, they now find themselves stretching thin like Elastigirl, fighting to hold a playoff spot as new challengers close in. With the standings tightening, the Incredi-bowls will need Frozone-level cool and a return to their super-powered form if they want to avoid being left in the shadows and instead finish the season like true champions.

• The Cool Runnings squad has gone from ice-cold to red-hot, flipping their season in true underdog fashion. After a shaky start that left them with zero points through the first two weeks, many had written them off; but just like the Jamaican bobsled team, they refused to quit. Since then, Cool Runnings has rattled off five straight wins, finding their rhythm and rolling with confidence. Now, not only are they back in the mix, but they’re very much alive in the playoff race, proving that slow starts don’t define how the finish line looks.

• Despite have zero wins this season, Pinside Out squad somehow remains alive in the playoff chase, a true emotional whirlwind straight out of Riley’s head. Joy is still clapping in the corner, Sadness is slumping in the gutter, Anger is fuming after every split, and yet, against all logic, this team is still in the hunt. Their record may say zero, but the standings say hope, and as long as the math isn’t finished, Pinside Out will continue to ride their rollercoaster of emotions towards playoffs
  
  

• Thanks to a spectacular performance last week, the Demigods have breathed new life into what once looked like a lost season. Their late surge has them still clinging to playoff contention, showing flashes of divine strength when it mattered most. The odds remain stacked against them, and they’ll need plenty of help from the bowling gods above to complete the miracle, but for now, the dream hasn’t been cast into the underworld just yet; the Demigods are still alive, still fighting, and still daring to believe.
  
  

And so, here we are: the curtain falls on the regular season, and only the Top 4 will punch their ticket to the playoffs. One spot is locked, three remain. The rest of the league is left in a dramatic scramble worthy of a Disney climax.

This week's matchups

• Goof Troop vs Roar Omega Roar (+13)
  
  

• Lyin’ Kings vs Cool Runnings (-52)
  
  

• Big Strike 4 vs Demigods (-21)
  
  

• Incredi-bowls vs Pinside out (+68)
  
  

With a victory in week 9, here are some, team-by-team standings / clinch conditions that show exactly what each team must do (and what other results must or must not happen) to make the playoffs. 

A lot more can happen, especially in the middle of the pack. 

Just sweep, don't get swept, and hope for the best. Good Luck!

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Goof Troop (vs Roar Omega Roar)

• To make the playoffs: Earn at least 2 points against Roar Omega Roar.
  
  
  

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Lyin’ Kings (vs Cool Runnings)

• 7–0 (sweep) — Lyin’ Kings in if they sweep Cool Runnings.
  
  

• 5–2 — Lyin’ Kings in if they go 5–2 and BOTH Big Strike 4 and Incredi-bowls do not sweep their opponents.
  
  

• 4–3 — Lyin’ Kings are in unless 2 of the following are true (if 2 happen, Lyin’ Kings are out):
  
  

  1. Big Strike 4 earns at least 5 points;
     
     

  2. Incredi-bowls earns at least 5 points.
     
     

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Big Strike 4 (vs Demigods)

• 7–0 (sweep) — Big Strike 4 in if they sweep Demigods.
  
  

• 5–2 — Big Strike 4 in if they go 5–2 and
  
  

  1. the Lyin’ Kings vs Cool Runnings match does not end in a sweep, AND
     
     

  2. Incredi-bowls does not sweep Pinside out.
     
     

• 4–3 — Big Strike 4 are out if 2 of the following happen:
  
  

  1. Cool Runnings earns 5 points;
     
     

  2. Incredi-bowls earn 5 points;
     
     

  3. Lyin’ Kings earns 4 points;
     
     

  4. Pinside out sweeps (7–0).
     
     

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Incredi-bowls (vs Pinside out)

• 7–0 (sweep) — Incredi-bowls in if they sweep Pinside out AND both Lyin’ Kings and Big Strike 4 do not sweep.
  
  

• 5–2 — Incredi-bowls in if they go 5–2 and
  
  

  1. Lyin’ Kings does not earn >5 points or Cool Runnings does not sweep, AND
     
     

  2. Big Strike 4 does not earn 5 points.
     
     

• 4–3 — Incredi-bowls are out if 2 of the following happen:
  
  

  1. Cool Runnings earns 5 points;
     
     

  2. Big Strike 4 earn 4 points;
     
     

  3. Lyin’ Kings earns 4 points.
     
     

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Cool Runnings (vs Lyin’ Kings)

• 7–0 (sweep) — Cool Runnings in if they sweep Lyin’ Kings AND both Incredi-bowls and Big Strike 4 do not sweep.
  
  

• 5–2 — Cool Runnings in if they go 5–2 and both Incredi-bowls and Big Strike 4 do not earn 5 points.
  
  

• 4–3 — Cool Runnings are out if 2 of the following happen:
  
  

  1. Incredi-bowls earns 4 points;
     
     

  2. Big Strike 4 earn 4 points;
     
     

  3. Pinside out sweeps (7–0).
     
     

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Pinside out (vs Incredi-bowls)

• 7–0 (sweep) — Pinside out in if they sweep Incredi-bowls AND all of the following hold:
  
  

  1. Lyin’ Kings scores less than 4 points (i.e., Lyin’ Kings finishes 3–4 or worse),
     
     

  2. Cool Runnings does not sweep Lyin’ Kings,
     
     

  3. Big Strike 4 scores less than 4 points (i.e., Big Strike 4 finishes 3–4 or worse).
     
     

• 5–2 — Pinside out are out if 2 of the following occur:
  
  

  1. Lyin’ Kings scores at least 3;
     
     

  2. Cool Runnings scores at least 4;
     
     

  3. Big Strike 4 scores at least 3;
     
     

  4. Demigods sweep Big Strike 4 (7–0).
     
     

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Demigods (vs Big Strike 4)

• 7–0 (sweep) — Demigods are in if both of the following also occur:
  
  

  1. Pinside out defeats Incredi-bowls 5–2, AND

  2. Cool Runnings defeats Lyin’ Kings 5–2 or 7–0.