MLB Showdown 2021 Set: THE HOT STOVE

 Welcome to the first bunch of cards for the 2021 Set!!! The dream that Matt and I had in the midst of the wait for the 2020 season is finally being realized, as we anticipate releasing the 2021 set in three installments: (1) HOT STOVE; (2) PENNANT RUN; (3) MAIN SET.

Now, this "HOT STOVE" collection of 55 cards functions like the original "Pennant Run" cards of the 00/01 sets -- the hottest players on new teams via free agency/trade, players returning from injury who weren't in the previous set, and expected rookie of year candidates with (optimistic but not completely unrealistic) projected cards. That's right, below you can expect Lindor, Bauer, Tatis, etc etc plus hot prospects like Dylan Carlson and Wander Franco. 

For the Pennant Run, we're going to release some cards shortly after the 2021 trade deadline showing how good the moved players have been, with cards made for their stats at that point in the season. For example, if Kris Bryant gets dealt at the deadline, he'll have his card at that point made with him on the Cubs. This let's fans have one last card with a former player and let's the new team see what the expectations should be, and then that player will have his full season stats in the Main Set at year's end on the team he ended the season with.... overall, I like this because it let's bad teams (usually sellers) add some more good cards to their bunch from the season and it lets Pennant Run live up to its name, featuring players who're actually helping during the stretch run! But that's enough of our scheming and what's to come, let's get to the cards y'all really want to see -- the 2021 HOT STOVE collection!!!

STAR PLAYERS

NCAA TOURNAMENT SPECIAL: NCAA Showdown - B1G TEN EDITION

 Happy March Madness!!! Thanks to Matt and his amazing charting, we're able to present to you some special NCAA Showdown cards just in time for the BIG DANCE!!! The podcast is run by dudes in the heart of Big 10 Country, and my heart belongs to my schools -- Wisconsin and Illinois. So without further ado, enjoy the full nine tournament squads + the best players on the other teams.

Just like the NBA Showdown cards, games are meant to be played with four quarters.... if you really want that NCAA feel, just double the results from a card's chart on each roll to only have two halves (which should be more chaotic too!). If you have any questions/arguments re: a player's Speed/Power or chart, take it up with Matt -- I'm just the "really enjoying the charts I was given and happy to help with the card-making" guy!

Would you guys like more NCAA cards? Let us know what you think!

Who is that masked man??? 

AN ALL-AMERICAN STAR

NBA All Star Weekend

 The NBA All Star game is upon us this weekend, and I have been working hard to get my files ready for the end of the 20-21 season to make my set for NBA Showdown cards. In between then I have also been trying to finish my original NBA Showdown set, only 24 more cards needed, that has been a fun chase trying to find some of the ultimate rares. If anyone is trapped in the house this weekend looking for some fun, I have made the two all star teams that we will be seeing this weekend, so why not print these off and play out the all star game for some fun. 

Team Durant: Sadly KD won't be able to participate in the game, but the good news is that he is here in showdown form to lead his team.