Justin Ivey, Co-Editor
Lacrosse is Awesome©
Location: Ridley Athletic Complex, Baltimore, Maryland
Week 2 was a disaster of epic proportions. After opening Justin’s Picks with a respectable 2-2 record, I somehow managed to go winless in Week 2, proving that predicting professional lacrosse is significantly harder than it looks from the couch. The good news? Every team has now shown strengths, weaknesses, and a few surprises, giving us a much better picture of who they really are heading into Baltimore. The bad news? My confidence may have taken a bigger hit than my record. Time to climb out of the 2-6/0-1 hole and start making smarter picks.
Season Stats
PLL – 2-6
WLL – 0-1
Worst Prediction from Week 1:
I could pick any of them – I missed all 5 predictions, but I think the Maryland rout of New York was probably…the worst.
Best Prediction from Week 1:
My only POSSIBLE saving grace? The Cannons won one game, WHICH I PREDICTED! I just picked the wrong one…
Friday, May 29
Boston Cannons vs. Maryland Whipsnakes – 6:00 PM EDT
Winner: Boston Cannons
I’m taking Boston in this matchup, but Maryland is about to become must-watch television with the PLL debut of Joey Spallina. Expectations couldn’t be much higher for the rookie, and Whipsnakes fans are hoping he can provide an immediate spark to an offense that has searched for consistency through the first two weeks. While Spallina’s arrival adds another dangerous weapon, Rob Pannell is questionable with an injury. On the other side, the Cannons continue to show impressive depth, and the return of Brian Kelly to the attack unit gives Boston another proven playmaker stepping in for Asher Nolting. Kelly has shown he can keep the offense flowing without forcing the issue, and Boston’s attack remains one of the most balanced groups in the league. I expect Spallina to make a few highlight-worthy plays and give fans a glimpse of the future, but until Maryland proves it can consistently generate offense around its young star, I’m sticking with the Cannons squad.
California Palms vs Maryland Charm – 8:30 PM EDT
Winner: California Palms
I’m taking the Palms in this matchup because they feature some of the most dynamic offensive talent in the WLL and have the kind of star power that can take over a game in a hurry. Led by players like Taylor Cummings and a roster filled with proven collegiate and professional standouts, the Palms have the ability to create scoring opportunities from anywhere on the field. The Charm are certainly capable of making this a battle and have shown flashes of strong team play, but the Palms enter this weekend with more proven offensive firepower and matchup advantages across the field. As teams continue adjusting to the full-field WLL format, individual playmakers can often become the difference, and few teams can match the top-end talent California brings to the lineup. If the Palms can control possession and let their stars operate in space, I like them to pick up the win and continue building momentum early in the season.
Saturday, May 30
New York Atlas vs. Denver Outlaws – 1:00 PM EDT
Winner: Denver Outlaws
I’m taking Denver in this matchup, and the biggest reason is the news that Jeff Teat is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season following shoulder surgery. Teat isn’t just another offensive weapon — he’s a former league MVP, a championship MVP, and one of the most productive players the PLL has ever seen. Losing that kind of talent changes the entire complexion of the Atlas offense and puts even more pressure on Connor Shellenberger, Xander Dickson, and the rest of New York’s attack unit to carry the load. Meanwhile, Denver has too much offensive firepower to stay quiet for long. Brennan O’Neill, Logan Wisnauskas, and the Outlaws offense looked out of sync in Week 1, but they bounced back in Week 2 and reminded everyone why they were one of the league’s most dangerous teams a year ago. With Teat sidelined, Denver suddenly has the star-power advantage in this matchup, and I expect the Outlaws to take advantage. The Atlas are still talented enough to win any game on their schedule, but losing a player of Teat’s caliber is a blow that will be difficult to overcome, especially against a Denver team that appears to be finding its rhythm.
Utah Archers vs. Maryland Whipsnakes – 5:30 PM EDT
Winner: Maryland Whipsnakes
I’m taking Maryland in this matchup because I think the Whipsnakes will be a better team in Game 2 than they are in Game 1 this weekend. All eyes will be on Joey Spallina’s PLL debut against Boston, but it’s his second game of the weekend that has me intrigued. The speed, physicality, and decision-making required at the professional level can take some adjustment, and getting those first-game nerves out of the way could allow Spallina to play much freer against Utah. By the time the Archers take the field, Maryland’s offense may already have a game’s worth of chemistry and live reps under its belt with its newest weapon. Utah remains a dangerous team with championship experience throughout the lineup, but I think Maryland benefits from the unique advantage of having already played once this weekend. If Spallina settles in quickly and starts finding his role within the offense, the Whipsnakes may become a much tougher matchup than the Archers are expecting.
Carolina Chaos vs. Philadelphia Waterdogs – 8:00 PM EDT
Winner: Philadelphia Waterdogs
I’m taking the Waterdogs in this matchup because Philadelphia gets a major boost with the return of CJ Kirst to the lineup. The Waterdogs already have one of the most dangerous offenses in the league, and adding a proven scorer like Kirst back into the mix only makes them more difficult to defend. Philadelphia showed last season that it can thrive in up-tempo, high-scoring games, and Kirst’s ability to finish opportunities and draw defensive attention should create even more space for the rest of the attack unit. Carolina’s defense is always capable of keeping games close, but the Chaos continue to search for offensive consistency and may struggle to keep pace if this game turns into a shootout. With Kirst back on the field and the Waterdogs looking to build momentum, I think Philadelphia has the offensive firepower to come away with the win.