The final week of the Major League Pickleball (MLP) regular season is upon us, with the Amway MLP Orlando event set to determine the playoff fate of several teams. As the season comes to a close, 12 teams will compete in Orlando, while eight teams have already completed their regular season schedule.
The MLP playoff format is unique, with the top 12 teams qualifying for the postseason and the top four seeds earning a first-round bye. The top seeds will also have the opportunity to choose their opponents in each round of the playoffs, adding an extra layer of strategy to the competition. The playoffs will take place over three events, starting in Dallas and culminating in the semifinals and finals in New York City.
Teams' Playoff Chances
The teams can be categorized into seven groups based on their playoff chances: teams that are mathematically eliminated, teams on the cusp of elimination, teams fighting for a playoff spot, teams probably in, teams that have clinched a playoff spot, teams fighting for a first-round bye, and teams fighting for the top overall seed. The teams that are eliminated from the playoffs are the Utah Black Diamonds, Florida Smash, and Bay Area Breakers. The teams on the cusp of elimination are the Carolina Hogs and Phoenix Flames, who need to win the MLP Orlando event to have a chance at making the playoffs.
The teams fighting for a playoff spot are the Miami Pickleball Club, Orlando Squeeze, Las Vegas Night Owls, Chicago Slice, and California Black Bears. These teams need to achieve specific results in the MLP Orlando event to qualify for the playoffs. For example:
- Miami Pickleball Club: needs 11 points from the MLP Orlando event, which means finishing second in their pool and winning on Super Sunday.
- Orlando Squeeze: needs six points to reach 31, which means finishing fourth or better and winning on Super Sunday.
- Las Vegas Night Owls: needs five points to reach 31, which means finishing fourth or better and winning on Super Sunday if they finish fourth in the pool.
- Chicago Slice: needs four points to reach 31, which means finishing fourth in the group.
- California Black Bears: needs one point to reach 31, which means finishing fifth or better in the pool.
The teams that are probably in the playoffs are the SoCal Hard 8s, Atlanta Bouncers, and Palm Beach Royals. These teams have a high percentage chance of making the playoffs, with the SoCal Hard 8s at 95%, the Atlanta Bouncers at 99%, and the Palm Beach Royals at 99%. The teams that have clinched a playoff spot are the Texas Ranchers and Dallas Flash, with the Ranchers likely to end up in the 8th spot and the Flash poised for a deep playoff run.
