Results from my 2021 predictions

Outside of the NL Central standings, it was yet another rough go for my predictions. While my statistical predictions almost always exceed the players' performances, Gerrit Cole managed to surpass my expectations for his strikeout total, falling just five K's short of Ron Guidry's now 43-year-old record.

AL East
1. Yankees INCORRECT (Rays)
2. Blue Jays* INCORRECT (Red Sox)
3. Rays INCORRECT (Yankees)

4. Red Sox INCORRECT (Blue Jays)

5. Orioles CORRECT

Interview with John Smoltz on baseball, Mariano Rivera [Audio]

I had the opportunity yesterday at work to interview John Smoltz over the phone. We talked about the division races, awards, Red Sox and Yankees.

Smoltz is very well-spoken, as he has broadcast games for TBS and MLB Network ever since leaving baseball after 2009 (he hasn’t officially retired).

Here’s the audio:

I asked him about Mariano Rivera (begins at 6:12) when he got a chance to see him in the 1996 World Series, and if he knew right then that Rivera was the real deal. Surprisingly, he said, “no doubt,” he’d be special. Rivera was terrific in 1996, don’t get me wrong, but it’s hard to foresee a Hall of Fame type career for a reliever (there are so few).

For the full interview transcription, head over to Boston.com or read more below.

Andruw Jones Featured Card of the Week

Sticking with the theme of current Yankees in their old uniforms, this week’s Featured Card of the Week is Andruw Jones. Be honest, did anyone forget he was on this team?

The Yankees signed him in the offseason for $2 million, and he has five plate appearances through 10 games.

Stealing pages from the Braves playbook

If you stayed up to watch the Braves-Giants game last night, you witnessed a thriller. Trailing 1-0 in the series, the Braves couldn’t afford to lose Game 2. After falling behind 4-0 in the first two innings, the Braves were all but toast. But in the eighth, the Braves went to their playbook and eventually came away with a 5-4 win.

Pages from Atlanta’s Playbook:
-A great bullpen. Starter Tommy Hanson exited after four innings, but six Braves relievers combined to shut down the Giants for the final seven innings. Even Kyle Farnsworth was good.
-Error-free baseball. In the playoffs, teams can’t afford to give their opponents free outs. The Giants gave the Braves two extra outs last night, and the Braves scored two unearned runs — the difference in the game.

The Yankees Have These Pages Too, You Know:
In the first two games of the Yankees-Twins series, New York hasn’t allowed a run in relief and its defense hasn’t committed an error. The only thing the Braves have that the Yankees don’t is an ejected manager.

2010 MLB Postseason Predictions

I was just looking at my preseason predictions, and, well, I’m not very proud. Of the eight playoff teams, I picked three correctly (Yankees, Phillies & Giants). I think I deserve a chance to start over now that the postseason is here. Here we go:

ALDS:
Rays beat Rangers in three games
Yankees beat Twins in three games

NLDS:
Reds beat Phillies in five games
Giants beat Braves in four games
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ALCS:
Yankees beat Rays in seven games

NLCS:
Giants beat Reds in six games
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World Series:
Yankees beat Giants in four games
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Hey, and I didn’t even change my World Series picks!

P.S.: I’ll be going over my preseason predictions in full once all the award winners are announced.

Poll Results: Fans scared of Rays in playoffs

In my latest poll, fans voted they were most scared of facing the Rays in the playoffs. Neither the Twins nor the Rangers received many votes.

I sided with the fans this week. The Rays were the only team listed that has a deep starting rotation. It’s really hard to compete when you don’t have answers for David Price and Matt Garza.

If the season ended today, the Yankees would face the Rangers in the first round and have home field advantage until the World Series (if they get there). The Rays would face the Twins.

Just for kicks, I’m going to look into the National League for minute.

The Phillies, Braves, Reds and Giants would be in the postseason, but the Padres are fighting desperately for a spot.

My preseason World Series pick of Yankees vs. Giants is still intact, but I’m starting to think the Phillies are too good once again.

Next poll: Who deserves their award more?