Updated: August 9, 2025
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CCW End of Regular Season Power Rankings
The chaotic, back-and-forth regular season has officially concluded, and we're on to the potentially equally chaotic postseason. As such, our power rankings now take the postseason format into account, in which teams with byes get to bypass the single elimination Wild Card round, and teams' aces get even more important, with pitching restrictions loosened. So, who has the best chance to win the Dirtyard Classic?
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1. Short Shorts
(10-5 • +19 run diff • 4.38 ERA • Myc Witty: 0.24 ERA / 92 pitching value)
The Short Shorts finish the regular season as the top seed, and cemented that spot by sweeping a strong 8 Balls team in two back-to-back comeback wins. While their depth arms showed some vulnerability, the offense proved relentless, scoring 18 runs in two games. Brendan Dudas, Mitch Unversaw, and Dustin Laugel were all red-hot at the plate, and this team continues to show that no lead is safe against them.
But the key heading into the playoffs is Myc Witty. In a format where top arms can pitch every other game, Witty is an overwhelming asset—his 0.24 ERA and 0.32 WHIP across the season put him in a league of his own. With a bye into the semifinals and the best pitcher in the league ready to go Game 1, the Shorts are in prime position to make a title run. If their offense keeps clicking and Witty does Witty things, this team may very well be unstoppable.
2. Stampede
(8-7 • +20 run diff • 2.33 ERA • Palmer/Scott: combined 0.66 ERA)
The Stampede may have had an up-and-down season, but they’ve quietly built the most dominant pitching staff in the league—and it all came together at the perfect time. They absolutely shut down the Yakkers in a sweep to clinch the No. 2 seed, allowing just 3 total runs across two games. Aidan Palmer and Brayden Scott have been electric down the stretch, combining for a staggering 89 Ks and ERAs below 1.10. Their bullpen hasn't even needed to do much.
What makes them dangerous in the playoffs is that they essentially have two aces. Palmer and Scott can alternate starts without drop-off, giving them a legitimate shot to shut down even the best lineups—especially with a bye to rest up. While their offense doesn't have the same firepower as the Shorts or Hounds, it's deep and opportunistic, with guys like Aidan, Bundy, and Luker getting hot at the right time. If you're looking for a team built for playoff wiffle ball, this is it.
3. Hounds
(7-8 • +5 run diff • 4.50 ERA • Alles: 2.40 ERA / 48 pitching value)
The Hounds had a huge offensive outburst to open the week, obliterating the Moonshots 20-7 behind a ridiculous 13 combined homers from Alles, Taylor, and Jones. While they were shut down in the rematch by Smithey, their power potential is undeniable. The Hounds lead the league in total homers with 33, and no team has a deeper lineup of home run threats.
Pitching-wise, Alles has blossomed into an ace—his ERA and WHIP are excellent, and he proved his poise in a tight loss to the Moonshots. Unfortunately, rumors swirl that Mitch Buis won’t be available for the playoffs, and Jake Sprinkle didn't reach playoff eligibility - putting added pressure on Alles to carry the pitching load. That hurts their ceiling a bit, but not enough to drop them from the top tier. The Hounds have a tough draw, with Smithey looming in the Wild Card round, and then a date with Witty and the Shorts if they get through that - but the Hounds could shock the bracket if Alles goes full workhorse and the bats stay hot.
4. 8 Balls
(7-8 • -2 run diff • 6.56 ERA • Reid Werner: 1.67 ERA / 58 pitching value)
The 8 Balls lost two absolutely brutal games to the Short Shorts this week—blowing late-inning leads in both. Still, there’s plenty to like about this team heading into the postseason. Their offense can keep up with anyone, and Cody House is swinging among the hottest bats in the league right now. Jay Wilsey and Gurtcheff are also locked in at the plate, and Reid Werner is finally returning to the lineup after two weeks away visiting everyone's favorite Floridian mouse.
And so, Reid's return is the 8 Balls' X-Factor. His 1.67 ERA and microscopic 0.56 WHIP have often gone under the radar, but he’s been nails most of the season. With him available for their win-or-go-home game against the Yakkers, the 8 Balls are in decent shape to survive and advance. The issue comes in the next round—without pitching depth, they’ll likely need another offensive explosion to outlast the Stampede. It’s doable, but not likely. This is a team that could just as easily get hot and make the finals… or go home in round one.
5. Moonshots
(7-8 • -5 run diff • 6.13 ERA • Smithey: 1.00 ERA / 75 pitching value)
The Moonshots stumbled into the playoffs after getting run off the field in a 20-7 loss to the Hounds. Their pitching depth was exposed badly, and the bats—Smithey aside—just didn’t keep up. However, Smithey rebounded in the second matchup, tossing a gem (11 Ks, 0 runs) to split the series. When he’s on the mound, they can beat anyone.
But the big problem is that the Moonshots can't throw Smithey every game. Ian Garavalia has shown flashes of solid number 2 arm performance, but had his worst outing of the season in his final one. They'll likely need to win one game with someone not named Smithey on the mound to mount a deep run. Their offense has power (29 homers), but not enough consistency. If they beat the Hounds behind Smithey, they’ll likely run into the Shorts and Witty, which is a brutal draw. They have an outside shot thanks to their ace, but the road ahead is rough.
6. Yakkers
(6-9 • -37 run diff • 7.22 ERA • Dowden: 0.81 ERA / 68 pitching value)
The Yakkers limp into the playoffs as the clear underdogs, finishing with the worst run differential (-37) and fewest runs scored (39). Their offense has struggled all season, and that continued in their sweep at the hands of the Stampede, where they managed just 3 runs across two games and were shut out entirely in the finale.
The bright spot—and the reason they’re not entirely written off—is Dustin Dowden. His 0.81 ERA and 50 Ks put him among the top pitchers in the league, and he’ll get the ball in their elimination game vs. the 8 Balls. If Dowden can toss a gem and their bats get hot at just the right moment, an upset is possible. But with a limited offense and inconsistency from the rest of their pitchers, it’s hard to see this team stringing together enough wins to make a deep run. They'll need a miracle—and a lot of Dustin Dowden.
Final Championship Odds (unofficial)
The chaotic, back-and-forth regular season has officially concluded, and we're on to the potentially equally chaotic postseason. As such, our power rankings now take the postseason format into account, in which teams with byes get to bypass the single elimination Wild Card round, and teams' aces get even more important, with pitching restrictions loosened. So, who has the best chance to win the Dirtyard Classic?
--
1. Short Shorts
(10-5 • +19 run diff • 4.38 ERA • Myc Witty: 0.24 ERA / 92 pitching value)
The Short Shorts finish the regular season as the top seed, and cemented that spot by sweeping a strong 8 Balls team in two back-to-back comeback wins. While their depth arms showed some vulnerability, the offense proved relentless, scoring 18 runs in two games. Brendan Dudas, Mitch Unversaw, and Dustin Laugel were all red-hot at the plate, and this team continues to show that no lead is safe against them.
But the key heading into the playoffs is Myc Witty. In a format where top arms can pitch every other game, Witty is an overwhelming asset—his 0.24 ERA and 0.32 WHIP across the season put him in a league of his own. With a bye into the semifinals and the best pitcher in the league ready to go Game 1, the Shorts are in prime position to make a title run. If their offense keeps clicking and Witty does Witty things, this team may very well be unstoppable.
2. Stampede
(8-7 • +20 run diff • 2.33 ERA • Palmer/Scott: combined 0.66 ERA)
The Stampede may have had an up-and-down season, but they’ve quietly built the most dominant pitching staff in the league—and it all came together at the perfect time. They absolutely shut down the Yakkers in a sweep to clinch the No. 2 seed, allowing just 3 total runs across two games. Aidan Palmer and Brayden Scott have been electric down the stretch, combining for a staggering 89 Ks and ERAs below 1.10. Their bullpen hasn't even needed to do much.
What makes them dangerous in the playoffs is that they essentially have two aces. Palmer and Scott can alternate starts without drop-off, giving them a legitimate shot to shut down even the best lineups—especially with a bye to rest up. While their offense doesn't have the same firepower as the Shorts or Hounds, it's deep and opportunistic, with guys like Aidan, Bundy, and Luker getting hot at the right time. If you're looking for a team built for playoff wiffle ball, this is it.
3. Hounds
(7-8 • +5 run diff • 4.50 ERA • Alles: 2.40 ERA / 48 pitching value)
The Hounds had a huge offensive outburst to open the week, obliterating the Moonshots 20-7 behind a ridiculous 13 combined homers from Alles, Taylor, and Jones. While they were shut down in the rematch by Smithey, their power potential is undeniable. The Hounds lead the league in total homers with 33, and no team has a deeper lineup of home run threats.
Pitching-wise, Alles has blossomed into an ace—his ERA and WHIP are excellent, and he proved his poise in a tight loss to the Moonshots. Unfortunately, rumors swirl that Mitch Buis won’t be available for the playoffs, and Jake Sprinkle didn't reach playoff eligibility - putting added pressure on Alles to carry the pitching load. That hurts their ceiling a bit, but not enough to drop them from the top tier. The Hounds have a tough draw, with Smithey looming in the Wild Card round, and then a date with Witty and the Shorts if they get through that - but the Hounds could shock the bracket if Alles goes full workhorse and the bats stay hot.
4. 8 Balls
(7-8 • -2 run diff • 6.56 ERA • Reid Werner: 1.67 ERA / 58 pitching value)
The 8 Balls lost two absolutely brutal games to the Short Shorts this week—blowing late-inning leads in both. Still, there’s plenty to like about this team heading into the postseason. Their offense can keep up with anyone, and Cody House is swinging among the hottest bats in the league right now. Jay Wilsey and Gurtcheff are also locked in at the plate, and Reid Werner is finally returning to the lineup after two weeks away visiting everyone's favorite Floridian mouse.
And so, Reid's return is the 8 Balls' X-Factor. His 1.67 ERA and microscopic 0.56 WHIP have often gone under the radar, but he’s been nails most of the season. With him available for their win-or-go-home game against the Yakkers, the 8 Balls are in decent shape to survive and advance. The issue comes in the next round—without pitching depth, they’ll likely need another offensive explosion to outlast the Stampede. It’s doable, but not likely. This is a team that could just as easily get hot and make the finals… or go home in round one.
5. Moonshots
(7-8 • -5 run diff • 6.13 ERA • Smithey: 1.00 ERA / 75 pitching value)
The Moonshots stumbled into the playoffs after getting run off the field in a 20-7 loss to the Hounds. Their pitching depth was exposed badly, and the bats—Smithey aside—just didn’t keep up. However, Smithey rebounded in the second matchup, tossing a gem (11 Ks, 0 runs) to split the series. When he’s on the mound, they can beat anyone.
But the big problem is that the Moonshots can't throw Smithey every game. Ian Garavalia has shown flashes of solid number 2 arm performance, but had his worst outing of the season in his final one. They'll likely need to win one game with someone not named Smithey on the mound to mount a deep run. Their offense has power (29 homers), but not enough consistency. If they beat the Hounds behind Smithey, they’ll likely run into the Shorts and Witty, which is a brutal draw. They have an outside shot thanks to their ace, but the road ahead is rough.
6. Yakkers
(6-9 • -37 run diff • 7.22 ERA • Dowden: 0.81 ERA / 68 pitching value)
The Yakkers limp into the playoffs as the clear underdogs, finishing with the worst run differential (-37) and fewest runs scored (39). Their offense has struggled all season, and that continued in their sweep at the hands of the Stampede, where they managed just 3 runs across two games and were shut out entirely in the finale.
The bright spot—and the reason they’re not entirely written off—is Dustin Dowden. His 0.81 ERA and 50 Ks put him among the top pitchers in the league, and he’ll get the ball in their elimination game vs. the 8 Balls. If Dowden can toss a gem and their bats get hot at just the right moment, an upset is possible. But with a limited offense and inconsistency from the rest of their pitchers, it’s hard to see this team stringing together enough wins to make a deep run. They'll need a miracle—and a lot of Dustin Dowden.
Final Championship Odds (unofficial)
- Short Shorts: 34%
- Stampede: 23%
- Hounds: 15%
- 8 Balls: 12%
- Moonshots: 11%
- Yakkers: 5%