1. Bengals (9-5) ↑ 3
Going into the mid-season break Bengals are flying high with a 7 game win streak. They were able to squeak by Purple Reign in 2 close games. Travis and Faisal are having career years and the rest of their squad is doing just enough to wins these close games. Next up is top-seeded Hit Squad, a sweep here and they will have gone from last to first in a matter of 4.5 weeks.
2. Hit Squad (8-4) ↓1
They did what they needed to do in last 2 weeks splitting with Purple reign and Breaking Bats to maintain the top seed. They had a big comeback win against Breaking Bats in game 2 keeping intact the top seed. Their hitting has been well enough to stay ahead of their opponents. Next up is the hottest team in the NL, Bengals. Another split would be perfect for them as their following 4 weeks are up against the bottom 4 team in the division.
3. Breaking Bats (9-5) —
3-3 in their last 6 games. Despite some poor performances over the span, they have not been swept. They boast the best offense going into the break but will have to shore up their defense if they want to compete for the title. They have last seeded NWO up next, a good way to get back to winning softball.
4. Purple Reign (8-6) ↓ 2
They lost 2 close games to the Bengals. 5 of their 6 losses are against teams above them in standings, by a total of only 8 runs. They have been able to take care of the lower teams, but to win they will have to show they can beat the best. Their losses have been close and they have the skill and talent to win they just need to prove it in the second half against the top teams.
5. Dynasty (6-6) ↑ 1
They did what they needed to stay in wild-card contention. Winning their last 3 games was big. They sit at .500 with the league’s best-run differential. A slow start did them in, fortunately for them, none of the teams above have run away with the division. Look for this team to work their way back into the top of the standings in the second half.
6. One’s (5-9) ↑ 2
Coming off a much-needed sweep against NWO helped the Ones maintain a fighting chance for a wild card position. The top half of their lineup is deadly but will need the bottom half to pick it up if they are to overtake 4th or 5th seed. Next week is a big game against Strike Force as they end their final 5 weeks against teams directly ahead of them.
7. Strike Force (5-9) ↓ 2
Their suspension may have cost them a chance to get into the coveted top 3 seed. Lost big to Dynasty in game 1 missing their captain and co-captain but came back strong in game 2 to lose only by 1. Big game against the One’s this week, they can ill afford another sweep.
8. NWO (4-10) ↓ 1
In the biggest weekend of the first half NWO came up short getting swept by the Ones. They have an offense that can hit with the best teams in the NL but their defense has not kept up. They need to start putting some wins together otherwise a playoff berth will be tough. On the bright side, they have Breaking Bats this weekend who aren’t playing their top ball and who NWO swept early on in the season.
The first half of the season is done. No team has run away with the division and no team is completely out of it. The schedule resets so teams have a chance to catch up. The fact that we have 13 weeks and not 14 may prove to play a big role in the playoff picture. Hit Squad vs Breaking Bats, Purple Reign vs Bengals, Dynasty vs Strike Force and NWO vs One’s are the odd matchups where there’s no repeat. The way it looks so far the top 4 teams will have an easier schedule than the bottom 4 in the second half because of who they don’t play. The battle for the wild card and top 3 seed may end up being severely impacted by not having that final week. It should be an interesting end to an already great season.
