LCS Summer 2020 Power Rankings Week 7: Chaos is a Ladder
By Josh Tyler
LCS Summer 2020 Week 7 is in the books, here is where the teams sit in our LCS power rankings.
8. CLG (5-9)
Elo: 309 (-25)
Remaining schedule: Team Liquid, Golden Guardians, FlyQuest, Cloud9
Average elo of remaining opponents: 429
The only reason why I give teams like Dignitas and Immortals even a slight chance to make playoffs is because of teams like CLG. After another 0-2 weekend for CLG, this team is desperate for a win with an absolutely brutal schedule coming up. In fact, they might have the toughest remaining of all LCS teams and they’re just barely inside the playoff bubble.
Even worse, they don’t own tiebreakers against either of the teams below them, having split the season series with IMT and DIG. That said, they do have that one-game lead which could very well help decide the playoff spot.
Assuming Immortals beats Dignitas in their match-up, it’s possible (and even likely) that both teams will lose their remaining games, thus getting CLG in the playoffs without needing another win. I wouldn’t count on that, and I don’t think a team that’s 1-7 in their last eight games has a prayer in the playoffs, but anything can happen in the Summer 2020 playoffs. You just have to get there.
Playoff chances: 20%
7. 100 Thieves (5-9)
Elo: 325 (+4)
Remaining schedule: FlyQuest, Immortals, Dignitas, Evil Geniuses
Average elo of remaining opponents: 332
On the other end of the spectrum, 100 Thieves have a great chance to not only make the playoffs, but a slim chance get out of the dreaded loser’s bracket for the playoffs. Remember, the playoffs in Summer 2020 are different from other years, with the top-six teams being in a double-elimination bracket, while the bottom two playoff teams are in the loser’s bracket and one series loss from missing on a trip to Worlds.
They’ll have to prove their mettle, to be sure, facing two teams above them in FlyQuest and Evil Geniuses, but they also get two “gimme” games against Immortals and Dignitas. Unfortunately, both EG and Golden Guardians currently have seven wins, meaning they cannot just split their remaining games. To have a chance to get out of the loser’s bracket, they will have to beat one of those teams and hope Golden Guardians lose out to have a shot at a tiebreaker.
Playoff chances: 90%
Upper bracket chances: 20%
6. Golden Guardians (7-7)
Elo: 360 (-3)
Remaining schedule: Cloud9, CLG, TSM, Evil Geniuses
Average elo of remaining opponents: 391
I won’t lie, Golden Guardians fans, it’s going to be a tough climb to get out of the loser’s bracket and make a serious run at Worlds. Their schedule the rest of the way is rough, save for their game against CLG that they should be looking to win.
That is the good news for GGS, as they will likely get that CLG win (and have a not-terrible shot at taking one of the TSM/EG games) pushing them to eight wins and all-but securing them a playoff spot. To realistically get out of the loser’s bracket, though, they probably need at least nine wins, which means they’d have to take one of those tougher match-ups. It’s not impossible by any means, but it’s certainly going to be difficult.
Playoff chances: 95%
Upper bracket chances: 33%