MLP 2025 Predictions: Underdog Picked to Shock the League
What's the Score?
As the 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season gears up to commence on April 24th in Orlando, an in-depth preview has offered a comprehensive analysis and predictions for all 16 Premier Level teams. The preview not only assesses the strengths and weaknesses of each team but also ventures to predict the playoff contenders and, ultimately, the winner of the coveted MLP Cup, hinting at a potential surprise victory from an unexpected contender.
Hit it deeper!
The 2025 MLP season will feature a demanding schedule, with ten regular-season events held across the country, and each of the 16 Premier teams will compete in a total of 25 matches. At the end of the regular season, ten of these teams will advance to the playoffs, culminating in the prestigious MLP Cup championship in November. The detailed preview systematically ranks each team, starting from the bottom, identifying those anticipated to face significant challenges, such as the New York Hustlers and the SoCal Hard Eights. These teams are predicted to struggle due to perceived weaknesses in their lineups.
Further up the ranking, teams like the Miami Pickleball Club, Phoenix Flames, and even the Carolina Hogs, despite featuring star player Ben Johns, are projected to have a tougher season than expected due to various roster limitations and strategic decisions. A middle tier of teams, including the Utah Black Diamonds, Atlanta Bouncers, Chicago Slice, and Orlando Squeeze, are expected to be competitive and capable of challenging opponents but may lack the overall strength to contend for the championship without significant improvements or strategic trades.
The preview identifies a top tier of teams with a genuine shot at winning the MLP Cup, including the LA Mad Drops, Texas Ranchers, Columbus Sliders, D.C. Pickleball Team, New Jersey 5s, and the St. Louis Shock. While the reigning champions, the Dallas Flash, are acknowledged as a formidable and consistent team, making them the initial favorites, the preview ultimately makes a bold prediction: the St. Louis Shock are picked as the team most likely to pull off a surprise and win the MLP Cup. This prediction is based on the Shock's perceived strong talent, youth, and excellent team chemistry, although a question mark remains over the continued improvement of one of their doubles players. The author of the preview acknowledges the inherent difficulty in predicting the MLP champion, noting that the playoff rounds are highly competitive, with the semifinals and finals often being very close contests.
The World Pickleball Verdict
This comprehensive preview of the 2025 MLP season offers valuable insights into the potential dynamics of the league and sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable season. The bold prediction of an underdog victory by the St. Louis Shock adds an exciting narrative to the upcoming competition. The detailed analysis of each team's strengths, weaknesses, and potential challenges provides fans with a deeper understanding of the league landscape and the factors that could contribute to success or failure. Whether the predicted upset comes to fruition remains to be seen, but this preview undoubtedly generates anticipation and discussion within the pickleball community as the 2025 MLP season gets underway.