Wednesday, September 28, 2016

September 28, 2016

Jim Kushner reclaims the throne with a two-point lead over Jason Salavon. Max Scherzer's outing against the D-backs last night (6IP, 2ER, 10K) earned Jim a point for NL wins while docking Jason one in IP. Scherzer is indeed scheduled to pitch again on Sunday, which could very well grant Jim his first Predictions Pool title.

Our next update will likely follow Madison Bumgarner's start against the Dodgers. See you then!

-Jud and Dan


Monday, September 26, 2016

September 26, 2016

Jason Salavon steals the lead from Jim Kushner with just one week remaining of regular season baseball, ending Jim's streak at 112 consecutive days in first place. Garrett Schwab rounds out our top three, with 19 entrants trailing Jason and Jim by at least two picks.

We can credit Jason's rise to four events: (1) Jon Lester's win over the Cards yesterday, which knocked Max Scherzer out of the lead for NL wins, (2) Jonathan Villar passing Billy Hamilton in NL steals, (3) Madison Bumgarner's 6 IP in San Diego on Saturday, and (4) Mike Trout's contention in the tight race for AL runs. Jason's time at the top may be short, as Scherzer is slated to pitch tomorrow and only needs two innings to catch MadBum. Furthermore, a win by the Nats' current ace nets Jim an additional point for NL wins. One last thing in Jim's favor: Scherzer can make two starts before the regular season's end.

We'll send out updates this week with every new lead change. See you then!

-Jud and Dan


Monday, September 19, 2016

September 19, 2016

Jim Kushner adds to his lead in weekly update #21, followed by Rob LaColla and Danton Boller. Jim now has a four-pick advantage over the nearest three entrants...

With just two weeks of baseball remaining, Jim's lead may be too much for his challengers. Rob or Danton could conceivably pick up a point each, but Jason Salavon seems to have the only real chance to contend. If Mike Trout (trailing by one run) passes leader Josh Donaldson in the AL R category, Jason makes up two picks on Jim.

As for the other two points, Salavon has a chance with Chris Sale in the AL ERA category, as well as Madison Bumgarner in NL IP. Jim can lose ground with the aforementioned Donaldson situation, and is also somewhat vulnerable in NL steals, where the ailing Billy Hamilton clings to a two-bag lead. Jim’s unique pick of Zach Britton still tops K-Rod in AL saves by two.

See you next Monday!

-Jud and Dan



Monday, September 12, 2016

September 12, 2016

Jim Kushner extends his reign over the 2016 MLB Predictions Pool in our 20th weekly update, with Frank Gatland and Rob LaColla tied for second. Jim's lead would be even larger if not for Jake Arrieta's win over the Astros last night, which took Max Scherzer out of the NL wins picture for now…

Despite slipping to seventh place in today's update, Jason Salavon still has a reasonable chance to catch Jim. If Mike Trout passes Josh Donaldson in the AL runs category, Salavon scores a two-point swing on Kushner. Could Zach Britton's slender lead over K-Rod in AL saves become Jim's last line of defense?

Our current overall HBP average of 49.1 is already the highest in pool history, surpassing 2009's final mark of 46.1. Nice job, everyone!

-Jud and Dan


Monday, September 5, 2016

September 5, 2016

Jim Kushner leads our first September weekly update, with Frank Gatland and Jason Salavon reprising their positions from last Monday. Frank will need Jim to drop two categories to move up, while Jason can still take the lead outright if Mike Trout passes Josh Donaldson in AL runs (Trout trails by two)…

Jason caught a break yesterday when Max Scherzer’s scheduled start against the Mets was pushed to Monday, keeping Madison Bumgarner’s NL IP lead intact for now. However, Scherzer’s next start might cost Jason more than a point—a victory by the Nats’ current ace will earn Jim and two other entrants a bump in the NL wins category.

Have a great Labor Day, and see you next Monday!

-Jud and Dan