1. Savages
There might be a crack in Juggernaut’s helmet. This fun loving bunch might seem to lack the killer instinct as evidenced by an earlier loss this season to 516 and near defeat to Empire in game 1. Both games were followed up with mercy victories but this is not the way you prepare for the playoffs, let alone championship aspirations. Still 11-1 is 11-1. Must see TV this weekend going up against HeavyHittaz. But let’s not forget, it is still only the regular season.
2. Heavy Hittaz
Are they comfortable with the second seed or did they really want the view from the top? Splitting with a potent 516 team isn’t an indictment of a bad team but if that top seed is truly coveted, they need to run the table. They have dropped 2 against 516 and 1 against Ducks. When the bats aren’t in full force, their defense isn’t good enough to will their team to victory. What’s the old adage? Offense wins games but Defense and pitching wins championships?
3. 516
The record doesn’t speak to their potential. Big wins over both teams that reside above them in these rankings can justify that. At best, they’re inconsistent. Capable of offensive fireworks yet shoddy defense. Coming around the stretch run, let’s see what this team is really made of. They have missed their pitcher Sanjay but he promises to be back for the second half of the season, which should afford them to put their best defense out there. Offensively, they still have room to improve with Saiful, Denen, Kyle, Tyler still finding their grooves.
4. Empire
Can’t say that a game one victory would’ve been an upset as Empire has been considered part of the haves of the AL but rather than using the near miss as fuel, they laid a dud and got mercied in game 2. Is Empire a team to be reckoned with or easy pickin’s come playoff time? They had plenty of players show up Sunday, but when you are missing Nick Yip and Jay Yip, along with a underwhelming season from Chris Mui, it is hard to overcome the top teams in the league. This week is a big test with the fundamentally sound Ducks coming into town, and they need to win to avoid a hit of the dreaded SNL.
5. Ducks
The offensive futility continues to fester. A sweep is great, on the surface. However, playing the downtrodden Troopers should have led to two resounding victories. This is of course, we assumed we were still talking about those Ducks that were the reigning champions…they have scored an anemic 87 runs for the season. Their calling card is their defense. If they can somehow sweep Empire this weekend, they will move up the standings quite fast.
6. Troopers
A great opportunity missed. They are on the outside looking in now for the playoffs with two hard fought close losses to the Ducks. 4 runs combined in 2 games is pathetic in the AL. They need to win at least one game this week to have any chance at the SNL. Mohan, Sunil and co., doesn’t quit and we won’t quit on them either. We expect their best effort come Sunday.
