September 26, 2014

Jeff Gatland takes the lead with one three-game series remaining in the 2014 season. Although five other entrants match Jeff with six points, our most realistic weekend scenarios yield only three outcomes.

Tuesday’s drubbing of Felix Hernández in Toronto(4.2IP, 7H, 8ER) gave Jim and Dan their ALERA point back in the name of Chris Sale, but it was an NL ace that turned our top five upside down. Clayton Kershaw’s 11K win over the Giants on Wednesday put the lefty on top in strikeouts, and earned a long-awaited point for twelve pool members.

Our winner will ultimately be decided on the strikeout totals of two pitchers this weekend: Stephen Strasburg on Saturday, and Johnny Cueto on Sunday. Strasburg and Cueto are tied with 235 Ks each, with Kershaw’s lead posted at 239. If Strasburg leads or ties for the season, Dan wins the pool. If Cueto ends in sole possession of the lead, Jim wins by HBP tiebreaker over Dan. Jeff preserves first place if Strasburg doesn’t catch Kershaw and Cueto falls short or ties.

We’ll touch base sometime after Strasburg’s start, and then pronounce our winner on Monday morning.

-Dan and Jud

September 22, 2014

Dan McCloskey clings to his lead as we enter into our last week of regular season baseball. Four entrants trail Dan by one point but possess higher HBP totals… Who has the best chance?

Dan and Jim Kushner watched their “two-point pad” shrink to one after Chris Sale’s most recent start (5IP, 9H, 5ER) opened the door for current ALERA leader Felix Hernández. Giancarlo Stanton (out for season) can’t realistically lose his NL HR honors, but he has already been passed by Adrian Gonzalez in NL RBI. This Hernández/Gonzalez combination puts HBP wizards Jeff Gatland and Mark Watzke right in the mix for the tenth MLB Predictions Pool prize.

The biggest threat to Dan’s lead is in the NL strikeouts category, where Stephen Strasburg currently tops runners-up Johnny Cueto and Clayton Kershaw. Strasburg’s 7K edge would seem decisive, if not for the likelihood of Cueto squeezing in an extra start this Sunday. We reported last week that Jim Kushner benefits from the NL SO shift, but at this point an overthrow of Strasburg would create a first-place tie between Jeff and Mark.

We’ll send out more info this week if anything changes. Follow @PredictionsPool on Twitter for fast top five updates!

-Dan and Jud

September 15, 2014

Dan McCloskey remains in the lead with just two weeks of baseball left in the 2014 season. Jim Kushner trails by a point but tops Dan by 8 HBPs, while Michael Orobona sits one point behind Jim in third.

Dan and Jim owe much of their success to two picks: Giancarlo Stanton (NL HR) and Chris Sale (AL ERA). This two-point pad seems secure, barring at least two disastrous late-September starts by Sale. Jason Salavon (who also picked Stanton for NL HR) could conceivably make a title run if Adam Wainwright takes NL wins over Clayton Kershaw, but Jason would still need two HBPs to catch Dan.

Can Kushner catch our leading McCloskey? Greg Holland’s sore triceps probably protected Dan’s Achilles heel in the AL saves race, but Jim may find hope in another pitching category: NL strikeouts. Johnny Cueto is within 3 Ks of longtime leader Stephen Strasburg, with three starts potentially remaining for each ace. Jim ties Dan in category points and wins by HBP tiebreaker if Cueto passes Strasburg.

Looks like we might come down to the wire this year… Back next Monday!

-Dan and Jud

September 8, 2014

Dan McCloskey moves into first after two weeks in second, with Jim Kushner and Jason Salavon close behind. Dan’s current score is identical to last week’s, but Jim and seven others lost a point when idle closer Greg Holland was passed by Fernando Rodney in AL saves. The Royal reliever is still day-to-day.

Michael Orobona landed a unique pick point over the weekend with Mike Trout for AL RBI. Trout leads a tight category race, with the top five players (including Miguel Cabrera) separated by just four runs batted in. The NL RBI title also warrants attention after yesterday’s performance by Adrian Gonzalez (2 HR, 6 RBI)…

See you next Monday!

-Dan and Jud

September 1, 2014

Jim Kushner remains on top in our first September update of the 2014 MLB Predictions Pool, with Dan McCloskey trailing by 9 HBPs. Jeff Gatland and Michael Orobona are both strong in the tiebreaker column but sit two category points behind Jim and Dan.

Chris Sale did indeed take the AL ERA lead last Sunday against the Yankees in a somewhat shaky no-decision effort (6IP, 4R, 0ER), giving leaders Jim and Dan point #6. Five other entrants lost a point when Adam Wainwright failed a second straight bid for his sixteenth win… The Cardinal ace went 2-4 with a 5.17 ERA for the month, surrendering almost as many runs in August as in May, June, and July combined.

Enjoy your Labor Day!

-Dan and Jud

August 24, 2014

Jim Kushner assumes the lead this week, becoming our fourth different update leader in five weeks. Jud Ehrbar, Dan McCloskey, and Jason Salavon follow Jim in a three-way tie for second.

Jim and Dan can distance themselves even further from the pack with a strong performance by Chris Sale in the Bronxthis afternoon. If the White Sox lefty goes eight innings with less than two earned runs (or at least three innings with no earned runs), then Sale takes the ALERA lead and Jim/Dan grab an extra point. Jim also pads his HBP lead with any plunks by Saletoday.

See you next time…

-Dan and Jud

August 18, 2014

Jason Salavon takes a turn atop the pool this week, followed by Daltry/Lovejoy and Jim Kushner. Four different contestants have held a lead since last Monday: the aforementioned three entrants and Jud Ehrbar.

Daltry/Lovejoy took a hit on Friday when Troy Tulowitzki became officially ineligible for NL BA honors; Tulo’s season-ending hip surgery was performed successfully on Friday as well.

Our next update should go out on Sunday the 24^th. See you then…

-Dan and Jud