Thursday, September 29, 2011

FINAL STANDINGS - September 29, 2011

Congratulations to Amy Gill, the winner of the 2011 MLB Predictions Pool.  Amy rose from the wreckage of what was surely one of the wildest regular season finales we've ever seen, with a little help from Chris Carpenter.  We'll post some additional stats and thoughts of our own on the 2011 season on the Pool blog page soon.

Amy becomes the seventh different champion in as many years, and takes home a nifty prize of $460.  We hope everyone comes back next year, and hopefully we can recruit a few more entrants to bring our pot to the $500 mark.

Happy postseason everyone!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

September 28, 2011

Prince Fielder hits three home runs at Miller Park last night, and Amy Gill takes the Pool lead with six points.  Wild cards in both leagues are tied (BOS/TB, ATL/STL), so things might not end tonight...

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

September 27, 2011 (9:56 pm)

Wow. Miguel Cabrera vaults to the batting lead (11-for-17 in last four games) as Matt Kemp sneaks past Albert Pujols in NL home runs, turning our own Predictions Pool leaderboard upside down… for now.

Things are changing even as I write this (9:30 pm), but our new leaders are Sid Harris, Amy Gill, and Jim Kushner. Our new triumvirate rests precariously on the aforementioned leads of Cabrera and Kemp, as well as the current positions of Brett Gardner (tied for AL SB lead) and Roy Halladay (NL IP).

Halladay’s situation might be most compelling here, as it involves the fortunes of the St. Louis Cardinals and the NL wild card race. Atlanta’s getting blown out by the Phils tonight, and the Cards are tied with Houston in the 4th... this puts St. Louis either tied or one game back.  All signs point to Chris Carpenter pitching in what could be the season finale for St. Louis, and most likely gaining the 5 2/3 innings he needs to surpass Halladay for NL IP. The possibility of a one-game tiebreaker between the Cardinals and Braves makes things even more interesting, as stats from the 163rd contest do count (see Matt Holliday 1997 for more on this). Of course, any tiebreaker home runs hit by Albert Pujols will count as well…

I’m not even going to mention a Boston-Tampa Bay tiebreaker.


Friday, September 23, 2011

September 23, 2011

Dan McCloskey is alone at the top, thanks to Matt Kemp’s run-scoring explosion this week (10 R in last 5 games).  This puts “unique pick” Ryan Braun out of the lead in runs, and Jason Salavon back down to three points.

This thing’s all over if Roy Halladay can’t hold his lead in NL IP.  Roy, rotation-mate Cliff Lee, and Clayton Kershaw are neck-and-neck with one start apiece remaining, but it’s possible that Chris Carpenter (6.1 IP behind Halladay) could enter the mix.  Carpenter could actually fit in two starts before the season ends for a Cardinal squad fighting for a Wild Card berth.  Again, Halladay slips and McCloskey wins.

Sid Harris can still win if Albert Pujols loses the NL HR crown to Kemp, Dan Uggla, or anyone else.  However, this shift only matters if Halladay holds on to IP.

Check http://www.mlbpool.blogspot.com/ for more news!


Sunday, September 18, 2011

September 18, 2011

Dan McCloskey and Jason Salavon are tied for the lead with 11 days left in the regular season. Lots can happen between now and September 28th…

Roy Halladay picking up an extra victory or Adrián González taking AL RBI will win it all for Dan. If Prince Fielder can bang out a few more for the NL HR crown, then Jason Salavon takes the lead outright. Miguel Cabrera seizing the AL batting title could put former champ Sid Harris in first, but CC Sabathia’s back-to-back losses probably cost John Agnello his slice of the pie.

If you have any other alternate scenarios, leave comments at www.mlbpool.blogspot.com. Hey, is this a good time to mention that both McCloskey and Salavon picked 161/.161 man Adam Dunn (K/BA) to lead the AL in HR?

Stay tuned!

Monday, September 5, 2011

September 5, 2011

With just over three weeks to go in the season, both innings pitched categories remain critical to the outcome of this year's pool. Although currently in 5th place, it still appears John Agnello has the best chance of catching pool leader Dan McCloskey.

Both CC Sabathia and Roy Halladay trail the respective leaders in their leagues by less than a start's worth of innings. If both of them can capture that category, Agnello could take the pool.

As we pointed out a week ago, Amy Gill needs to win outright to take the prize, given her low HBP total. Miguel Cabrera has an outside shot at the AL batting title, and Prince Fielder can still take the NL home run crown. Those appear to be her best bets at this point.


Monday, August 29, 2011

August 29, 2011

Curtis Granderson seizes control of AL HR/RBI/R, Justin Verlander maintains AL dominance despite a shaky Saturday start, and Roy Halladay slides down the NL leaderboards. Net result? Dan remains on top.

Amy Gill needs to outscore Dan to win, and Jason Salavon can tie by scrounging up a leader-point of his own somewhere. Prince Fielder in NL HR and Halladay in NL IP might be their best resources for catch-up points, although Amy can also score if Tim Lincecum snatches the ERA title from Johnny Cueto, who needs 22+ innings in September to qualify.

Keep checking www.mlbpool.blogspot.com for the latest injury updates and more frequent standings.


Sunday, August 21, 2011

August 21, 2011

Not much has changed since last week. Ryan Braun takes over the NL runs lead from the injured Jose Reyes, vaulting Jason Salavon from 16th to 7th and dropping Aaron Smith from 20th to 22nd.

As we approach the season's final month, look for some more in-depth coverage as the pool gets down to the wire.


Sunday, August 14, 2011

August 14, 2011

After an uncharacteristically slow start to the season, including over two weeks lost due to injury, Albert Pujols shows up among the MLB category leaders for the first time this season, pulling into a tie with teammate Lance Berkman for the NL lead in home runs, prior to today's action.

Despite picking Pujols in four different categories, Dan McCloskey took over first place in the pool a little over a month ago, and has only relinquished the lead for one update since. So, the recent Albert Pujols development would seem to be big news, but actually...not so much.

The top six leaders in the pool all have Pujols for NL HR, so his recent resurgence only negatively affects a few, including Sid Harris and Amy Gill, who fall from top five to outside of the top ten as a result.


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

August 9, 2011

Sorry about the lapse in coverage... both Jud and Dan have been on vacation.

Categories to watch: AL HR (Bautista 33, Teixeira 32), NL HR (Berkman 28, Pujols 27, Fielder 26), NL R (Reyes on DL), NL ERA (Vogelsong 2.48, Halladay 2.51), NL S (Kimbrel 35, Wilson 34).



Sunday, July 31, 2011

July 31, 2011

John Agnello assumes the lead by virtue of Brian Wilson’s hot July in the NL saves category, edging out Dan McCloskey by one HBP. Three other entrants (Jason Z., Sid H., and Amy G.) complete our five-way tie with 6 points, but lag behind John and Dan by several beanballs.

Although Cleveland’s acquisition of Ubaldo Jiménez has frozen the former Colorado ace’s assets in three NL pitching categories, trade deadline activity has had little effect on our Pool stats so far. Heath Bell’s name will be hefted about for a few more hours today, so check up on www.mlbpool.blogspot.com for the latest trade updates and other Pool-related info.



Sunday, July 24, 2011

July 24, 2011

No major changes since our last update, as Dan holds on to his perch atop the MLB Predictions Pool leaderboard. Our top ten’s been shuffled around a bit, with Cole Hamels (NL W) and Brett Gardner (AL SB) allowing Aaron Smith and Amy Gill to sneak into the second and third spots, respectively.

Albert Pujols seems to be heating up, with 4 HR and 10 RBI since the All-Star break. Troy Tulowitzki is also on a tear, although his teammate Carlos González just hit the DL with a bruised right wrist.

We’ll keep our eyes open as trade rumors continue to swirl, paying extra attention to news containing keywords “Ubaldo” or “Heath.” Remember that players traded across leagues only maintain statistics from their original designation, with the exception of HBP totals. Check www.mlbpool.blogspot.com for more frequent updates and other Pool-related information.

Congrats to Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar on this weekend’s HOF induction.


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

July 13, 2011 (All-Star Break)

The AL won the Home Run Derby, the NL won the All-Star Game, and two categories out of twenty are generating more than half the points in our 2011 MLB Predictions Pool. If not for Roy Halladay’s innings and Michael Bourn’s steals, our current point average of 3.35 (our lowest update since May) would be well under the Mendoza Line.

Have no fear! We’re still well above our usual pool numbers for the All-Star Break, and we’re scoring higher than ever in HBPs. Studly seasons by Adrián González, Justin Verlander, and Clayton Kershaw have helped Dan McCloskey to the top of our list, although nine other entrants only trail by one category-point. We may be scouring the disabled list for answers as often as the boxscores, with several of our more popular player choices in shaky physical condition.

Remember that players traded across leagues only maintain statistics from their original designation, with the exception of HBP totals. Check www.mlbpool.blogspot.com for more frequent updates and other Pool-related information.

Monday, July 4, 2011

July 4, 2011

2009 Pool champion John Agnello hops to the top spot for our 4th of July update, thanks in part to Mariano Rivera’s blown save yesterday. Three entrants trail John by only two HBP, including our co-founder Dan McCloskey.

Heath Bell amassed five saves in one week at the end of June, and has joined Brian Wilson and three other relievers atop the NL category. Pool fave Tim Lincecum pitches today but trails stealth pick Clayton Kershaw by 16 Ks.

Look for another update before next week’s All-Star break, and check www.mlbpool.blogspot.com for freshest Pool info.



Sunday, June 26, 2011

June 26, 2011

Totals down across the board by an average of almost 1.5 points, with last weekend’s leader Todd Matthewson walloped for a nickel. Amy Gill goes against the grain with a last-to-fifth jump, thanks to yesterday’s stellar outing by Justin Verlander (8 IP, 0 R, 14 K). Verlander and CC Sabathia became the first pitchers with 10 wins (along with Jair Jurrjens), although Roy Halladay and Jered Weaver might join in this afternoon.

The pool-wide D.L. has swelled to ten members, including popular pick Albert Pujols. His fractured left arm will cost at least a month of playing time, which might be a better deal than initially expected.

Thanks and keep checking http://mlbpool.blogspot.com/ for more info!



 

Sunday, June 19, 2011

June 19, 2011

Todd Matthewson charges ahead with three new leaders since last weekend’s update, thanks to Mark Teixeira, Brian Wilson, and a Saturday start by King Felix. Justin Verlander seems certain to regain his IP and SO leads in Colorado today, but Todd will probably remain on top Monday morning, even if Cole Hamels becomes the majors’ first 10-game winner.

Ball-magnet Carlos Quentin has an extraordinary 16 HBP with well over half the season left to play. If he can stay healthy, Quentin has a great shot at the all-time MLB Predictions Pool mark for raspberries (Chase Utley’s 27 in 2008).

Thanks and keep checking http://mlbpool.blogspot.com/ for more info!



Sunday, June 12, 2011

June 12, 2011

Newbie Brian Wells has topped the pool for the month of June, although his lead over Todd Matthewson is only one point in the HBP column. With Karen McCloskey and Aaron Smith lurking near the top as well, our tie-breaking category might prove to be crucial in September.

Seems like everybody’s talking about the hit by pitch this week… at least here in New York. Perhaps the real complaints should be coming from Chicago, as the White Sox have been plunked an ML-high 41 times this year while dishing out only 14 beans themselves. Those of us that picked Carlos Quentin aren’t complaining.

Check out our MLB Predictions Pool 2011 blog at http://www.mlbpool.blogspot.com/ for more frequent standings updates, injury reports, and other tidbits relevant to our little contest. Dan and Jud will be posting exclusive “blog only” trivia questions this summer in selected posts—just look for the comments tag at the bottom. Feel free to post your own questions in addition to responding to ours!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

May 29, 2011

As we near the close of the second month of the season, the latest pool story seems to be Red Sox picks. That is, the more Red Sox you picked in the pool, the nearer the top of the standings you are. Not surprisingly, notorious Red Sox homer Aaron Smith sits in first place.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

May 15, 2011

A lot has definitely changed in the last week. Most importantly, the average point total per pool participant has increased significantly, from 3.39 to 4.96, as a result of the following changes:
  • Adrian Gonzalez taking over the AL RBI lead.
  • Jose Bautista re-taking the AL home runs lead
  • Miguel Cabrera moving into a tie for the AL runs lead.
  • Jacoby Ellsbury and Elvis Andrus tying the legendary Sam Fuld for the AL steals lead (not surprisingly, no one has Fuld for this category).
  • Dan Haren sliding past Justin Verlander for the AL innings lead.
  • Ryan Braun moving into a tie for the NL home runs lead.
  • Tim Lincecum tying Roy Halladay for the NL strikeouts lead (somewhat surprisingly, no one picked Halladay in this category).
I'm sure there are others, but one pivotal category this year looks to be AL strikeouts. Rob LaColla dropped out of first place over the course of this week as a result of Verlander taking over this category, but he only has a one strikeout lead over Jered Weaver (Rob's pick) and Dan Haren. While Rob is the only person to take Weaver, eight folks picked Verlander in this category. Looming in the background, only 7 K's behind the leader, is the pool's most popular pick, Felix Hernandez.

Karen McCloskey added five correct picks to her total since last weekend, to take first place from LaColla by a slim margin. Amy Gill, who briefly captured first place yesterday, sits strongly in third place, just a few HBP behind LaColla.

May 15, 2011

Sunday, May 8, 2011

May 8, 2011

Not a lot has changed since last weekend: Jose Bautista lost his AL home run lead to Curtis Granderson and Justin Verlander moved into a tie with Jered Weaver for the AL strikeout lead (prior to today's action). As a result of both developments, Amy Gill moves into a tie in overall points with Rob LaColla, although a four HBP edge maintains LaColla's hold on first place, at least for now.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

May 1, 2011

Just one month into the 2011 season, and so far it appears Rob LaColla's faith in a few players out to prove that last year was not a fluke is paying off.

Rob is one of only four pool participants to pick Jose Bautista to repeat as AL home run champ. This is despite the fact that his league-leading total of 54 was 12 homers more than any player in either league. Rob is also the only person to predict Jered Weaver to repeat as AL strikeout leader, and one of only five to pick Josh Johnson to defend his NL ERA crown.

So, while Michael Bourn and Roy Halladay are otherwise dominating the pool's standings in this, our first update of the year, LaColla owes his first place ranking to his less popular picks.

Once again, we want to welcome you to the seventh year of the pool. The real baseball season is off to an interesting start, and so is this year's pool. We're happy to have you on board, and we're sure you're just as excited about the coming year as we are.


Thursday, March 31, 2011

Welcome to the 2011 MLB Pool

As I write this, we're less than an hour away from CC Sabathia taking the mound for the Yankees against Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers. 11 of this year's 23 pool participants picked Sabathia to lead the American League in wins, while 8 of us picked Verlander for AL strikeouts.

At approximately the same time, and a couple hundred miles away, Livan Hernandez gets things started for the Washington Nationals versus Derek Lowe and the Atlanta Braves. A lot less on the line pool-wise in that contest, but just as importantly, it's the beginning of almost seven months of baseball to come.

With that, we welcome you to the 2011 MLB Pool, our seventh year of generally succeeding less frequently than a .300 hitter. Only one brand newbie (Brian Wells) joins 20 returnees from last year's pool and two familiar faces who sat one out last year, meaning our total entrants equal last year's total of 23. That also means the grand prize matches last year's record setting mark of $460.

Last year, one of the pool's co-creators (Jud Ehrbar) finished on top for the first time, making it six different winners in six years. All but one of the following past champions are part of the action this year, hoping to buck that trend, while there are 18 of us still aiming for that elusive first prize.

2005: Sid Harris
2006: Matt Lucas
2007: Joe Maissel
2008: Jon Pauley
2009: John Agnello
2010: Jud Ehrbar

Be sure to take a look at the grid of everyone's picks here, to see how unique (or not) yours are. We'll still be sending out emails, of course, but if you want more frequent updates, the blog is where it's at. You can subscribe as an RSS feed (from the upper right corner of this page), or if you want to receive blog email updates, just let us know and we'll set you up for that.

Most importantly, good luck, and thanks for choosing to participate once again.