Cloud9 vs Team Liquid

The big finale: Cloud9 vs. Team Liquid. In the end, we got the one Best of 5 all of us expected, the clash between two of the best teams North America has to offer, and also a repeat of the first-ever LCS Lock-In finals. That is no coincidence. C9 and TL might have had their ups and down throughout the split, but no one ever doubted their long-term potential and immense skill ceiling.

They have the best players, the most experience, ample amounts of mechanical prowess, and the coaching staff to back it all up. And, frankly, they're more than worthy of our undivided attention and praise. Unfortunately, we probably won't be seeing the full Team Liquid line-up as Santorin has been battling severe migraines and will be replaced by none other than Armao (formerly known as Grig). Now, to his credit, Armao definitely stepped up last night in TL's win over Team SoloMid, but that was against Spica -- a solid, albeit flawed jungler. Tonight, though, he'll have to face the two-time LCS MVP Blaber, and undeniably one of the best and most talented North American junglers in history. That's quite a tall order, as you can expect, and Cloud9 will surely harness this gap in the jungle to their benefit.

In fact, we're putting it mildly here. If Cloud9 come out the gates swinging, there's no chance whatsoever that they can drop a Best of 5 to a severely gimped Team Liquid. Heck, they had already outclassed TL a week ago and have all the right tools at their disposal to do so yet again. It might not be clean or commanding, but they'll surely get the job done and hoist the LCS trophy for the second time in two years. Still, expect a skirmish-heavy affair that'll surely entertain us in all the right ways!