MLP Midseason Check-In, Standings Breakdown & Playoff Predictions

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We’re nearly halfway through the 2025 MLP season, and the pressure is building. Daytona (June 5–8) marks the fifth event on the calendar, with five more stops still to come before the postseason begins.

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With pickleball ratings and team performance shaping the playoff picture, let’s break down where teams stand after Phoenix—and who’s in (and out) of contention.

Current Standings (Post-Phoenix)

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The Battle for the Final Playoff Spots

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It’s shaping up to be a three-team race for the final two playoff spots. The Utah Black Diamonds, Miami Pickleball Club, and Chicago Slice are all within striking distance heading into the second half of the season.

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Shoutout to Chicago, who had to completely redraft their roster after last season and still managed to stay in the hunt. With five events left, momentum swings, injuries, burnouts and a sense of urgency could shake things up quickly. And if sports have taught us anything—it’s that passion and grit can go a long way!

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Lack of Parity: A Growing Concern?

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A recent stat shared by Matty Pickles (and featured in The Dink newsletter) highlighted something striking: 

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The top 8 teams are a combined 42–0 against the bottom 8. 

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Yep—undefeated. That’s a huge gap.

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All four teams that moved up from last season’s Challenger division currently sit in the bottom 8, showing just how tough it is to draft well when depth in the MLP talent pool is still developing. Many of these teams had to take chances on new talent, which often takes time to pay off.

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That said, if any bottom-8 team is going to pull off an upset, my bet’s on Miami. Any team going against them must be mentally present to fight. They’ve got fire and fight—two things you can’t coach.

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Newbies vs. Veterans

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Back in March, I published a blog on the MLP roster updates following the Premier and Challenger Drafts held on March 2–3. I highlighted the wave of new talent entering the league this season — and now that we’re halfway through, let’s take a look at how those players have performed so far.

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At the time, I noted 34 new players had been drafted across both Premier and Challenger divisions—none of whom had played an MLP match in 2024. Most were picked in the 5th or 6th round, so many haven’t seen any court time yet.

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Those who have broken into the starting lineups include:
Victoria Di Muzio, Liz Truluck, Max Freeman, Mya Bui, Alex Walker, and, yes—¾ of the NY Hustlers. 

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From that group, Victoria, Max, Mya, and the Hustlers trio have consistently started matches for their teams. Mya Bui stands out as the strongest performer so far, though all five are currently ranked outside the Top 50 in the player standings.

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It’s worth remembering: most veteran players have been competing at a high level for years. These newcomers are still adjusting to the pace and pressure of top-tier play. With time, mentorship, and experience, several of them could absolutely become key contributors in future seasons.

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🏆 Semifinal Predictions: Early Call

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You can prove me wrong later, but I’m seeing a repeat of last season’s semifinals. 

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Right now, my top four picks heading into August are:

• St. Louis Shock
  
  
• New Jersey 5s
  
  
• Dallas Flash
  
  
• Texas Ranchers
  
  

These teams have shown the most consistency and depth so far this season.

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As for the final? I’d put my money on a Dallas Flash vs. St. Louis Shock matchup. Two strong, well-balanced rosters that know how to close.

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Let’s see how it plays out.

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