Two languishing teams swept to reverse their fortunes and join the playoff conversation. The Mighty Knucks and RBI Steaks both emerged victorious in crucial series to make the playoff picture a lot more interesting. We call ‘em as we see ‘em:
Power Rankings After Week Five
1. Bilabial Stops (8-0)
Last Week: #1
The Stops got a break from racking up wins, and will have another breather week before attempting to finish undefeated. Standing in their way are the Knucks, Crows, and Wiffers.
2. 100% Real Juice (7-3)
Last Week: #3
The Juice piled it on against ISO Pale, with Epo Olivares, Kyle Ferris, and Luke Moedritzer going a combined 16-17 at the plate in a 29-6 drubbing. Adam Bricket limited ISO to a single run in an 11-1 win. After a bye week, traditional rivals await in the Washout and the Steaks before playoffs.
3. Mighty Knucks (6-4)
Last Week: #6
Just two weeks ago, this team looked like an afterthought. Thanks to clutch homers by Chad Kebba and Joseph Marcoly, the Knucks turned that narrative upside down with a 7-3, 18-9 sweep of the Sheryl Crows, earning an important tiebreaker in the process. After a bye, they have the Bilabial Stops and the Wiffers left on the slate.
4. West Coast Washout (5-3)
Last Week: #2
The Washout took their first bye of the season, and now face a season-defining stretch vs the RBI Steaks, 100% Real Juice, and ISO Pale.
5. RBI Steaks (4-4)
Last Week: #5
The Steaks avoided disaster against the Wiffers, allowing eight 6th inning runs en route to an 11-10 victory ended by a season-saving double play. They showed off their ability to win close games again, taking Game 2 18-14. The Washout, ISO Pale, and the Juice remain as the Steaks teeter on the bubble.
6. Wiffers (2-6)
Last Week: #7
The Wiffers have not been winning games, but they have been playing fun wiffleball. Their epic but futile rally was powered by a Miguel Saldin grand slam. The Wiffers may lead the league in moral victories, but those only count in a team’s first year. The Crows, Knucks, and Stops present opportunities to add to the win column that counts.
7. Sheryl Crows (4-6)
Last Week: #4
The Crows dropped their 5th straight game on the season, a stretch which has been characterized by inconsistent pitching. They will need to find wins on the schedule vs the Wiffers and the Bilabial Stops if they are to make the playoffs.
8. ISO Pale (0-8)
Last Week: #8
ISO remained winless and couldn’t do much to stop the Juice. They’ll get a week off next week, with two series in which to find a win, against the Steaks and the Washout.
