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WRITTEN BY: DUCK MARTINEZ

As the season hurtles towards its thrilling climax, we’re witnessing incredible storylines, nail-biting finishes, and surprising sleeper teams making their mark. It’s time for the ultimate power rankings, from top to bottom. If you’re not happy with where you stand, it’s simple: perform better and prove it on the field. Good luck to all the teams for the rest of the way. The competition keeps getting tougher every year, and this season is no exception. Most teams are stacked with talent, and come playoff time, I expect the stars to lead their teams to the promised land. No matter where your team stands, the end of the season is pivotal. The top teams must stay focused to maintain their lead, while those at the bottom have a prime opportunity to evaluate and grow. For the teams in the middle, every game is a make-or-break scenario for their playoff dreams. Fight hard, play smart, and finish strong! Let’s dive in!

POWER RANKINGS

Dominant Forces

1. PHILLIES - At number one, we have the Phillies. In my opinion, they were already a solid team last year, but with the additions of superstars Harsh and Rahul, they instantly became the team to beat. The shishas and singles got much-needed power, transforming them into a game-changing force. Defensively, this team is the best in the league, allowing the same number of runs as their run differential (67) which is impressive in softball. Though they just picked up their first loss of the season in a defensive showdown (missing some key players), they have consistently found ways to close out games. Come playoff time, if you can't manufacture runs against this team, good luck.
    
2.  ORIOLES - Right on their heals, at number two, we have the Orioles. After an early-season loss, the Orioles went on a six-game winning streak before losing the last couple. They put the league on notice by handing the undefeated Dodgers their first loss and holding them to just 5 runs. This team boasts a good mix of speed, defence, veterans, and power. The addition of Senthi has bolstered the lineup, making them even more formidable. The Orioles know what it takes to win and are a team that others should be looking to avoid.
    
3. GIANTS - At number three, we have the Giants. Although their record doesn't fully reflect their ranking, the addition of Tier 1 MVP candidate Marvin Fernandez, who made his debut with an impressive 5-5 and 7 RBIs. He has pushed them from the lower middle pack to serious contenders. The Giants have some strong complementary pieces and players with winning experience. With an experienced pitcher like George leading them, the sky's the limit for this team.

Playoff Contenders

4. DODGERS -  Coming in at number four, we have the Dodgers. This team can go head-to-head with any opponent, led by Neil, who is having an MVP-caliber season, and last year's MVP, Oso. Although they've had a relatively easy schedule so far, they've taken care of business efficiently. To climb higher, they will need some of their players to step up in the batting department. If they do, this team has the potential to upset some of the top teams and even clinch the number one seed.
    
5. CARDINALS - At number five, we have the Cardinals. This team looks like they are starting to hit their stride. Although the teams they have faced haven't been the toughest during this winning streak, they have still taken care of business in convincing fashion, putting them at number two in run differential behind the Phillies. The Cardinals are filled with stars and a strong supporting unit, making it hard to find any holes in their lineup. Both defensively and offensively, they can keep up with the best. To slow this team down, opponents will need to limit their mistakes and hope to contain their offense.
    
6. REDSOX - Coming in at number six, we have the Red Sox. This team has been playing some solid softball, adding some nice veteran pieces to their lineup, which have made impacts on both sides of the field and even help cleaned up silly mistakes. I have yet to see this team play with their full squad, but when they do, they have a good chance to beat any team and should not be taken lightly. 

Dark Horses

7. ROCKIES - At number seven, we have the dark horse Rockies. After a shocking loss to the Astros that handed them their first win, the Rockies bounced back with an impressive victory, ending the Phillies' perfect season while holding them to just 2 runs. The Rockies are making teams think twice when they see them on the schedule. However, the question remains which Rockies team will show up. If they can figure out how to play a complete game, they are always a threat. With their biggest losses of the season being by no more than 3 runs, if they can make some tweaks and clean up their mistakes, this team could easily start turning close games in their favor.
    
8. METS - At number eight, we have the Mets. Although their record might not fully reflect their potential, this team has the roster to go all the way. With a lineup resembling a mini Nationals team and the addition of Kish, they bring invaluable experience that can make a difference come playoff time, especially given their past performances on the big stages of Tier 1. The biggest weakness for this team has been their outfield, but if they can limit the mistakes there, they could become serious dark horses during the big run.
    
9. DIAMONDBACKS - At number nine, we have the D-backs. This team started off slowly, with a bunch of close losses as new pieces struggled to find chemistry with some of last year’s Tier 2 winners. However, they seem to be gaining momentum. With all the experience on this team, they are more than capable of pulling off an upset in a one-game elimination. But to make that happen, they'll need everyone on the team to step up and contribute. It will come down to pitching and defence for them and we shall if they can get it done. LETS GOOOO!
    
10.  ATHLETICS - At number ten, we have another dark horse team that no one seems to be talking about—the Athletics. They’ve definitely improved from a year ago, adding some solid veterans with firepower. Tash and Paygham (PG) have been cashing in runners all season, co-leading tier 2 with 30 RBIs each. This squad is well balanced and when Sunny returns from injury it can definetely push them over the top, as he was red hot at the plate before going down. This team can flat-out score, and if they can play some decent defense then they will be in contention. If they need to turn games into slugfests then that could also work out in their favor but obviously alot more risky.

In the Hunt

11. EXPOS - At number eleven, we have the Expos. This is a team that tends not to excel in the regular season, but come playoff time, they have a history of turning it up a notch, as we've seen in past years when they've upset some of the top teams. Currently, some of their better players are in a slump, but if they can start turning it around, this team is deep and capable of upsetting any opponent, especially with back to back Tier 1 Finals MVP (Shawn Arul) on the mound. There's a lot of experience on this roster, and that will be a huge factor come playoff time.
     
12. TIGERS - Coming in at number twelve, we have the Tigers. When you look at their roster and their record, it’s surprising to see them this low, given all the talent they have. But they just haven’t been able to find ways to close out games or have their entire roster for games. Like the Expos, I wouldn’t count this team out if they make the playoffs—they definitely have the players to upset any team plus the Commish's intel on all the players is an incredible advantage. The only question is whether the players will show up to complete this task. This team still poses a serious threat, with the top end of their lineup capable of matching up with any of the other top teams.
     
13. CUBS - At number thirteen, we have the Cubs. This team was a big unknown at the start of the season, being a new team. They began the season at a decent pace but have since lost 5 in a row but then beat the tough Rockies. They've struggled to produce runs, managing to score 10 or more only once during their losing streak, and in softball, that simply won’t cut it. Even in their win against the Rockies they only scored 11. Nonetheless, many of these players have been around for a while and possess the IQ needed to perform in big games. If the bats can start heating up, they might still have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs.
     
14. ANGELS - At number fourteen, we have the Angels. After a slow start to the season, the Angels have been playing much better softball toward the end, even though it hasn’t always translated into wins. The improvement is evident, and it gives them an outside shot at making the 12th playoff spot. If they can keep battling and somehow put it together in the play-in, they’ll definitely have a chance to sneak in. Given how crazy the play-in could be...they will have a good as chance as any to make the playoffs. If this team continues to come together and maybe adds 1 or 2 solid pieces after their first year in the league, they could definitely be a contender next year.

Eliminated

15. BRAVES - At number 15, we have the Braves. This team has been a wildcard all season—some days they play a full defensive game, and other times they turn into an offensive juggernaut. However, they just haven’t been able to stay consistent on both sides of the ball. They’ll need to lock in and maybe add a piece or two for next season to compete in the Comp Division. They are too good for Rec Division so they seem to be stuck in between the Tiers. The Braves have shown glimpses of what they are capable of and we would love to see them come back next season reloaded.

16. ASTROS - Last but not least, we have the Astros. After pulling off a huge upset against the Rockies, the Astros have something to be proud of this season, securing their first win and avoiding a winless record. Of course, there’s still major room for improvement, but the fight is there. As long as everyone continues putting in the work and they maybe add a couple of good veterans, this team could see drastic changes next year. A bright spot for the Astros has been Neleesh, who has proven to be a solid hitter and defender. We hope captain Tirshan has some resources available to make his squad better and ready to battle next year.