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.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, October 3, 2010
2010 FINAL STANDINGS
It's official! Jud Ehrbar becomes the sixth different person to win the pool in our six year history. How's that for parity? Jud's record-breaking performance of nine correct picks earns him a record-breaking grand prize of $460.
Thanks to everyone for playing! It was another fun year, and also one in which our collective average of 5.5 correct picks per participant shattered the previous record of 3.8, established in 2006. We look forward to everyone returning next year, and hopefully adding a couple more entrants to bring the pot to the $500 mark.
Happy postseason everyone!
Thanks to everyone for playing! It was another fun year, and also one in which our collective average of 5.5 correct picks per participant shattered the previous record of 3.8, established in 2006. We look forward to everyone returning next year, and hopefully adding a couple more entrants to bring the pot to the $500 mark.
Happy postseason everyone!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
October 2, 2010
Friday night was a rough night for Dave. Jered Weaver notched four strikeouts, just enough to overtake Felix Hernandez for the AL lead. So, unless Seattle changes their mind (unlikely) about shutting down Hernandez, that point is lost. Also, the Yankees were rained out, and now will play a doubleheader with the Red Sox starting at 4pm today. It's highly unlikely that Jeter and A-Rod will play in both games.
Technically, Dave now stands in fourth place, but he's still the only one with a shot at beating Jud. He needs two of the following three things to happen to be victorious:
Technically, Dave now stands in fourth place, but he's still the only one with a shot at beating Jud. He needs two of the following three things to happen to be victorious:
- Albert Pujols loses the NL RBI crown (Carlos Gonzalez still trails by one).
- Alex Rodriguez wins or ties for the AL RBI crown (he stands three behind Miguel Cabrera).
- Derek Jeter wins or ties for the AL runs lead (he's one behind Cabrera and Mark Teixeira).
Friday, October 1, 2010
October 1, 2010
Heading into the season's final weekend, the pool's standings give the appearance of a wide-open battle for the top spot. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving, as there doesn't seem to be a realistic scenario that would involve anyone but Jud or David finishing in first.
In a somewhat unprecedented move, I'm going to handicap the categories that are still in question and make a prediction as to the final outcome of this year's pool. Considering my (Dan's) performance in the pool over the course of the last six years, you should probably choose to take these prognostications with a grain of salt.
Between our two top contenders, it basically comes down to the following four statistical categories:
AL RBI: With Miguel Cabrera out for the season, and leading a red-hot Alex Rodriguez (26 RBI in 22 September games) by just three in this category, it's looking like David has a chance to grab another point. Prediction: A-Rod rests one of the Yankees' final three games and comes up short of the league lead.
AL Runs: Cabrera is tied with Mark Teixeira for the league lead, but they're only one ahead of Derek Jeter, another development that could benefit Mr. Jones. Prediction: One D.J. comes through for another.
AL Strikeouts: Felix Hernandez leads Jered Weaver by three, but Hernandez has been shut down for the season and Weaver pitches tonight. Jones really needs King Felix to hang on to this category. Prediction: Weaver grabs the lead with four or more Ks, costing David a much-needed point in the standings.
NL RBI: Albert Pujols leads Carlos Gonzalez by one. As far as I can tell, both players should be in the lineup all weekend. Prediction: Pujols hangs on to the top spot, which in turn helps Jud hang on to win the pool.
In a somewhat unprecedented move, I'm going to handicap the categories that are still in question and make a prediction as to the final outcome of this year's pool. Considering my (Dan's) performance in the pool over the course of the last six years, you should probably choose to take these prognostications with a grain of salt.
Between our two top contenders, it basically comes down to the following four statistical categories:
AL RBI: With Miguel Cabrera out for the season, and leading a red-hot Alex Rodriguez (26 RBI in 22 September games) by just three in this category, it's looking like David has a chance to grab another point. Prediction: A-Rod rests one of the Yankees' final three games and comes up short of the league lead.
AL Runs: Cabrera is tied with Mark Teixeira for the league lead, but they're only one ahead of Derek Jeter, another development that could benefit Mr. Jones. Prediction: One D.J. comes through for another.
AL Strikeouts: Felix Hernandez leads Jered Weaver by three, but Hernandez has been shut down for the season and Weaver pitches tonight. Jones really needs King Felix to hang on to this category. Prediction: Weaver grabs the lead with four or more Ks, costing David a much-needed point in the standings.
NL RBI: Albert Pujols leads Carlos Gonzalez by one. As far as I can tell, both players should be in the lineup all weekend. Prediction: Pujols hangs on to the top spot, which in turn helps Jud hang on to win the pool.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
September 25, 2010
Jud falls out of first place, by just a three HBP margin, as Albert Pujols falls one RBI behind Carlos Gonzalez. Meanwhile, Sid Harris takes exception to the idea that someone could break his record for correct picks. With just over a week to go in the season, three participants are tied with a pool record eight correct categories. But, as things stand right now, David Jones's HBP total gives him a tenuous hold on the top spot.
There are still quite a few categories to watch, but two players in particular whose performance will have a major impact on the pool's outcome are Albert Pujols and Felix Hernandez. Put simply, Dave needs Hernandez to maintain his AL strikeout margin over Jered Weaver, and Jud needs Pujols to reclaim his NL RBI lead. Sid's chances are a little more of a long-shot at this point.
There are still quite a few categories to watch, but two players in particular whose performance will have a major impact on the pool's outcome are Albert Pujols and Felix Hernandez. Put simply, Dave needs Hernandez to maintain his AL strikeout margin over Jered Weaver, and Jud needs Pujols to reclaim his NL RBI lead. Sid's chances are a little more of a long-shot at this point.
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