The Drake Pit

            For many fans, this year's Play-In stage of the World Championship was the most exciting yet. It featured some of the closest and most nail-biting games we've ever gotten during a play-in stage, which historically has been quite straightforward. Typically we see the major region teams dominate everyone, like at 2022 Worlds where no minor region team progressed to the group stage. The changes they made this year with the introduction of the new swiss style format allowed for a much more thrilling and hopeful viewing experience. At varying points throughout the tournament several teams had a real shot of making it to the swiss stage. Many of you will undoubtedly know that we saw Europe's Team BDS and Vietnams' GAM Esports make it out. However, this was far from a settled affair, as Vietnams' #2 seed Team Whales, Brazil's LOUD, and of course PCS #1 seed PSG Talon all had real shots at making it happen at varying points in the tournament. While...

       At 9:00pm PST tonight, BDS and Golden Guardians will hit the rift to begin the first ever Worlds Qualifying Series (WQS). For those unaware, this is the first official match of Worlds 2023 where the 4th seed from EMEA, BDS, will take on the 4th seed from NA, Golden Guardians. They will play a best of 5 series for a spot in the Play-Ins stage at the 2023 World Championship. Naturally, being the 4th seeds from their respective regions, these teams are less well known than their higher-seeded counterparts. International fans may remember Golden Guardians' stint at MSI, but this is the first international appearance for Europe's BDS. With PickEm's live and the match fast approaching, many viewers are left wondering who they should predict will come out on top and the likelihood of their region's team reigning victorious. The following paragraphs will attempt to provide analytical background regarding these two teams and penultimately choose the more likely vi...