Everything from the 2016 MLB campaign is over and done with, so it's time to reflect on the weirdness. I asked everyone who was on the Pinstripe Alley writing staff on Opening Day to make their predictions for the season. Nikhil won the contest last year, but who came out on top in 2016?
For the standings, I awarded 1 point for each correct slot, and for the numerical predictions, I gave 2 points for the closest guess, and 3 for exactly right. Correct guesses on player awards and leaders received 2 points.
1) 2016 AL Standings:
AL East |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
Tanya |
Yankees |
Blue Jays |
Orioles |
Red Sox |
Rays |
Jason |
Yankees |
Blue Jays |
Red Sox |
Rays |
Orioles |
Andrew |
Blue Jays |
Yankees |
Red Sox |
Rays |
Orioles |
Caitlin |
Blue Jays |
Yankees |
Red Sox |
Orioles |
Rays |
Greg |
Yankees |
Blue Jays |
Rays |
Orioles |
Red Sox |
Provenzano |
Red Sox |
Blue Jays |
Yankees |
Rays |
Orioles |
Ferenchick |
Yankees |
Blue Jays |
Red Sox |
Orioles |
Rays |
Kunj |
Yankees |
Blue Jays |
Red Sox |
Rays |
Orioles |
Harlan |
Blue Jays |
Yankees |
Orioles |
Red Sox |
Rays |
Nikhil |
Blue Jays |
Yankees |
Red Sox |
Orioles |
Rays |
Jim |
Blue Jays |
Yankees |
Red Sox |
Orioles |
Rays |
Jake |
Red Sox |
Blue Jays |
Yankees |
Rays |
Orioles |
Chris |
Blue Jays |
Red Sox |
Yankees |
Rays |
Orioles |
Tom |
Yankees |
Red Sox |
Blue Jays |
Rays |
Orioles |
Hecht |
Blue Jays |
Yankees |
Red Sox |
Rays |
Orioles |
Results |
Red Sox |
Blue Jays |
Orioles |
Yankees |
Rays |
AL Central |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
Tanya |
Royals |
Indians |
Tigers |
Twins |
White Sox |
Jason |
Royals |
Tigers |
Twins |
Indians |
White Sox |
Andrew |
Indians |
Royals |
Tigers |
Twins |
White Sox |
Caitlin |
Royals |
Tigers |
White Sox |
Indians |
Twins |
Greg |
Royals |
Twins |
White Sox |
Indians |
Tigers |
Provenzano |
Indians |
Royals |
Tigers |
White Sox |
Twins |
Ferenchick |
Royals |
Tigers |
Indians |
Twins |
White Sox |
Kunj |
Royals |
Tigers |
White Sox |
Twins |
Indians |
Harlan |
Indians |
Royals |
White Sox |
Tigers |
Twins |
Nikhil |
Royals |
Indians |
Tigers |
Twins |
White Sox |
Jim |
Royals |
Twins |
Indians |
Tigers |
White Sox |
Jake |
Indians |
White Sox |
Royals |
Tigers |
Twins |
Chris |
Royals |
Indians |
Tigers |
White Sox |
Twins |
Tom |
Royals |
Indians |
Tigers |
White Sox |
Twins |
Hecht |
Royals |
Indians |
Tigers |
Twins |
White Sox |
Results |
Indians |
Tigers |
Royals |
White Sox |
Twins |
AL West |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
Tanya |
Astros |
Rangers |
Angels |
Mariners |
A's |
Jason |
Astros |
Rangers |
Angels |
Mariners |
A's |
Andrew |
Astros |
Mariners |
Angels |
Rangers |
A's |
Caitlin |
Astros |
Rangers |
Angels |
Mariners |
A's |
Greg |
Astros |
Rangers |
Angels |
Mariners |
A's |
Provenzano |
Rangers |
Astros |
Mariners |
Angels |
A's |
Ferenchick |
Astros |
Rangers |
Angels |
A's |
Mariners |
Kunj |
Astros |
Angels |
Rangers |
Mariners |
A's |
Harlan |
A's |
Rangers |
Astros |
Mariners |
Angels |
Nikhil |
Astros |
Rangers |
Angels |
Mariners |
A's |
Jim |
Astros |
Angels |
Rangers |
Mariners |
A's |
Jake |
Astros |
Mariners |
Rangers |
Angels |
A's |
Chris |
Rangers |
Astros |
Angels |
Mariners |
A's |
Tom |
Astros |
Mariners |
Rangers |
Angels |
A's |
Hecht |
Rangers |
Astros |
Mariners |
Angels |
A's |
Results |
Rangers |
Mariners |
Astros |
Angels |
A's |
Matt Provenzano and Jake Devin did the best with the AL picture, each nailing eight of the 15 places with Provenzano being the only person to correctly call all three division champions. I would say he gets extra credit, but that involved predicting Red Sox success, which should be heresy around here, so it cancels out (totally fair).
2) 2016 NL Standings:
NL East |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
Tanya |
Mets |
Nationals |
Marlins |
Braves |
Phillies |
Jason |
Mets |
Nationals |
Marlins |
Phillies |
Braves |
Andrew |
Nationals |
Mets |
Marlins |
Phillies |
Braves |
Caitlin |
Mets |
Nationals |
Marlins |
Braves |
Phillies |
Greg |
Mets |
Nationals |
Marlins |
Phillies |
Braves |
Provenzano |
Mets |
Nationals |
Braves |
Phillies |
Marlins |
Ferenchick |
Nationals |
Mets |
Marlins |
Braves |
Phillies |
Kunj |
Nationals |
Mets |
Marlins |
Phillies |
Braves |
Harlan |
Mets |
Nationals |
Marlins |
Phillies |
Braves |
Nikhil |
Mets |
Nationals |
Marlins |
Braves |
Phillies |
Jim |
Nationals |
Mets |
Marlins |
Phillies |
Braves |
Jake |
Mets |
Nationals |
Marlins |
Braves |
Phillies |
Chris |
Nationals |
Mets |
Marlins |
Phillies |
Braves |
Tom |
Mets |
Nationals |
Marlins |
Braves |
Phillies |
Hecht |
Nationals |
Mets |
Marlins |
Braves |
Phillies |
Results |
Nationals |
Mets |
Marlins |
Phillies |
Braves |
NL Central |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
Tanya |
Cubs |
Pirates |
Cardinals |
Brewers |
Reds |
Jason |
Cubs |
Cardinals |
Pirates |
Brewers |
Reds |
Andrew |
Cubs |
Pirates |
Cardinals |
Brewers |
Reds |
Caitlin |
Cubs |
Cardinals |
Pirates |
Brewers |
Reds |
Greg |
Cubs |
Pirates |
Cardinals |
Brewers |
Reds |
Provenzano |
Cubs |
Pirates |
Cardinals |
Brewers |
Reds |
Ferenchick |
Cubs |
Pirates |
Cardinals |
Brewers |
Reds |
Kunj |
Pirates |
Cubs |
Cardinals |
Brewers |
Reds |
Harlan |
Cubs |
Pirates |
Cardinals |
Brewers |
Reds |
Nikhil |
Cubs |
Pirates |
Cardinals |
Reds |
Brewers |
Jim |
Cubs |
Cardinals |
Pirates |
Brewers |
Reds |
Jake |
Cubs |
Pirates |
Cardinals |
Reds |
Brewers |
Chris |
Cubs |
Cardinals |
Pirates |
Reds |
Brewers |
Tom |
Cubs |
Cardinals |
Pirates |
Reds |
Brewers |
Hecht |
Cubs |
Pirates |
Cardinals |
Brewers |
Reds |
Results |
Cubs |
Cardinals |
Pirates |
Brewers |
Reds |
NL West |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
Tanya |
Giants |
D'backs |
Dodgers |
Padres |
Rockies |
Jason |
Giants |
D'backs |
Dodgers |
Padres |
Rockies |
Andrew |
Giants |
D'backs |
Dodgers |
Padres |
Rockies |
Caitlin |
Dodgers |
Giants |
D'backs |
Padres |
Rockies |
Greg |
Giants |
D'backs |
Dodgers |
Padres |
Rockies |
Provenzano |
D'backs |
Giants |
Dodgers |
Padres |
Rockies |
Ferenchick |
Dodgers |
Giants |
D'backs |
Padres |
Rockies |
Kunj |
Dodgers |
Giants |
D'backs |
Padres |
Rockies |
Harlan |
Giants |
D'backs |
Dodgers |
Rockies |
Padres |
Nikhil |
D'backs |
Dodgers |
Giants |
Padres |
Rockies |
Jim |
Giants |
Dodgers |
D'backs |
Padres |
Rockies |
Jake |
Dodgers |
Giants |
D'backs |
Padres |
Rockies |
Chris |
Dodgers |
Giants |
D'backs |
Padres |
Rockies |
Tom |
Dodgers |
Giants |
D'backs |
Padres |
Rockies |
Hecht |
Giants |
Dodgers |
D'backs |
Padres |
Rockies |
Results |
Dodgers |
Giants |
Rockies |
D'backs |
Padres |
It was a tale of extremes in the NL, as most writers did quite well in the East and Central before getting pulverized by the West's results. I personally blame the stupid Diamondbacks (and the somewhat surprising Rockies resurgence).
3) A-Rod & Tex HR, Gardner & Ellsbury SB, Tanaka & Severino ERA, and Dellin K
NYY Misc. |
A-Rod HR |
Tex HR |
Gardner SB |
Ellsbury SB |
Tanaka ERA |
Severino ERA |
Dellin K |
Tanya |
32 |
26 |
15 |
30 |
3.70 |
3.36 |
124 |
Jason |
29 |
32 |
17 |
25 |
3.88 |
4.00 |
122 |
Andrew |
22 |
36 |
22 |
28 |
3.69 |
3.93 |
114 |
Caitlin |
30 |
27 |
18 |
26 |
3.47 |
3.63 |
117 |
Greg |
37 |
35 |
39 |
41 |
3.21 |
2.56 |
135 |
Provenzano |
24 |
32 |
22 |
31 |
3.11 |
3.69 |
130 |
Ferenchick |
74 |
28 |
19 |
28 |
3.55 |
3.42 |
110 |
Kunj |
31 |
37 |
16 |
27 |
2.98 |
3.69 |
121 |
Harlan |
21 |
29 |
25 |
36 |
2.92 |
3.53 |
102 |
Nikhil |
26 |
33 |
18 |
25 |
3.50 |
3.10 |
120 |
Jim |
22 |
26 |
16 |
19 |
3.62 |
3.72 |
101 |
Jake |
23 |
26 |
19 |
29 |
3.42 |
3.82 |
105 |
Chris |
26 |
25 |
21 |
33 |
3.37 |
3.45 |
115 |
Tom |
26 |
34 |
18 |
24 |
3.48 |
3.63 |
130 |
Hecht |
27 |
31 |
17 |
29 |
3.80 |
3.30 |
108 |
Results |
9 |
15 |
16 |
20 |
3.07 |
5.83 |
126 |
Ugh, we were wayyyy too excited by the trio of A-Rod Tex, and Sevy in 2015. Please don't hurt us in a similar manner next year, Gary.
4) Yankee leaders: AVG, HR, ERA, and WAR
NYY leaders |
AVG |
HR |
ERA |
WAR |
Tanya |
Jacoby Ellsbury |
Alex Rodriguez |
Luis Severino |
Didi Gregorius |
Jason |
Didi Gregorius |
Brian McCann |
Nathan Eovaldi |
Didi Gregorius |
Andrew |
Jacoby Ellsbury |
Mark Teixeira |
Nathan Eovaldi |
Mark Teixeira |
Caitlin |
Starlin Castro |
Alex Rodriguez |
Michael Pineda |
Brian McCann |
Greg |
Starlin Castro |
Alex Rodriguez |
Luis Severino |
Didi Gregorius |
Provenzano |
Jacoby Ellsbury |
Mark Teixeira |
Masahiro Tanaka |
Brian McCann |
Ferenchick |
Jacoby Ellsbury |
Alex Rodriguez |
Luis Severino |
Brian McCann |
Kunj |
Starlin Castro |
Mark Teixeira |
Masahiro Tanaka |
Brian McCann |
Harlan |
Starlin Castro |
Mark Teixeira |
Masahiro Tanaka |
Jacoby Ellsbury |
Nikhil |
Starlin Castro |
Mark Teixeira |
Michael Pineda |
Didi Gregorius |
Jim |
Didi Gregorius |
Brian McCann |
Michael Pineda |
Michael Pineda |
Jake |
Starlin Castro |
Brian McCann |
Masahiro Tanaka |
Masahiro Tanaka |
Chris |
Didi Gregorius |
Brian McCann |
Masahiro Tanaka |
Didi Gregorius |
Tom |
Starlin Castro |
Mark Teixeira |
Nathan Eovaldi |
Didi Gregorius |
Hecht |
Jacoby Ellsbury |
Mark Teixeira |
Nathan Eovaldi |
Mark Teixeira |
Consensus |
Carlos Beltran |
Carlos Beltran |
Masahiro Tanaka |
Masahiro Tanaka |
Yes, Beltran counted as not only the Yankees' leader in homers with 22, but also in batting average (per Baseball Reference). What a weird, weird season. Don't forget that Gary Sanchez finished only two homers shy despite 158 fewer plate appearances than Beltran and 381 fewer than Castro, who was second with 21. Obviously.
5) MLB leaders: AVG, HR, ERA, and WAR
MLB leaders |
AVG |
HR |
ERA |
WAR |
Tanya |
Miguel Cabrera |
Bryce Harper |
Zack Greinke |
Bryce Harper |
Jason |
Mike Trout |
Bryce Harper |
Jake Arrieta |
Bryce Harper |
Andrew |
Carlos Correa |
Paul Goldschmidt |
Clayton Kershaw |
Mike Trout |
Caitlin |
Bryce Harper |
Giancarlo Stanton |
Clayton Kershaw |
Bryce Harper |
Greg |
Bryce Harper |
Giancarlo Stanton |
Clayton Kershaw |
Bryce Harper |
Provenzano |
Jose Altuve |
Bryce Harper |
Clayton Kershaw |
Bryce Harper |
Ferenchick |
Miguel Cabrera |
Alex Rodriguez |
Clayton Kershaw |
Mike Trout |
Kunj |
Miguel Cabrera |
Giancarlo Stanton |
Zack Greinke |
Bryce Harper |
Harlan |
Paul Goldschmidt |
Giancarlo Stanton |
Jose Fernandez |
Manny Machado |
Nikhil |
Miguel Cabrera |
Nolan Arenado |
Clayton Kershaw |
Mike Trout |
Jim |
Miguel Cabrera |
Giancarlo Stanton |
Jake Arrieta |
Mike Trout |
Jake |
Bryce Harper |
Giancarlo Stanton |
Clayton Kershaw |
Mike Trout |
Chris |
Jose Altuve |
Bryce Harper |
Clayton Kershaw |
Mike Trout |
Tom |
Miguel Cabrera |
Bryce Harper |
Clayton Kershaw |
Mike Trout |
Hecht |
Jose Altuve |
Bryce Harper |
Zack Greinke |
Mike Trout |
Results |
DJ LeMahieu |
Mark Trumbo |
Kyle Hendricks |
Mike Trout |
For the record, Kershaw missed qualifying for the ERA title by just 13 innings. He had a 1.69 mark compared to the 2.13 of Hendricks. Alas. Also, good on LeMahieu and Trumbo for pacing the league in average and dingers, respectively.
6) Most teams wins & losses, first manager fired
MLB Misc. |
Most team wins |
Most team losses |
1st manager fired |
Tanya |
Cubs (104) |
Reds (99) |
Robin Ventura |
Jason |
Cubs (98) |
Reds (100) |
Bryan Price |
Andrew |
Nationals (96) |
Braves (102) |
Bryan Price |
Caitlin |
Cubs (100) |
Phillies (98) |
Brad Ausmus |
Greg |
Yankees (106) |
Rockies (108) |
Brad Ausmus |
Provenzano |
Mets (97) |
Braves (101) |
Bryan Price |
Ferenchick |
Yankees (107) |
Phillies (100) |
Bryan Price |
Kunj |
Pirates (99) |
Braves (101) |
Brad Ausmus |
Harlan |
Cubs (96) |
Reds (104) |
Bryan Price |
Nikhil |
Cubs (101) |
Brewers (95) |
Brad Ausmus |
Jim |
Giants (98) |
Braves (99) |
Pete Mackanin |
Jake |
Cubs (97) |
Phillies (98) |
Bryan Price |
Chris |
Cubs (100) |
Brewers (103) |
Bryan Price |
Tom |
Cubs (97) |
Phillies (101) |
Bryan Price |
Hecht |
Cubs (98) |
Phillies (102) |
Bryan Price |
Results |
Cubs (103) |
Twins (103) |
Fredi Gonzalez |
The Twins' complete collapse from an over-.500 season in 2015 was a surprise, but how did none of us guess that the Braves would can Gonzalez first? It made so much sense. Oh well.
7) MLB Awards
AL Awards |
Rookie of the Year |
Cy Young Award |
MVP |
Tanya |
Byron Buxton |
David Price |
Mike Trout |
Jason |
Byron Buxton |
Sonny Gray |
Lorenzo Cain |
Andrew |
Jose Berrios |
Chris Archer |
Carlos Correa |
Caitlin |
Joey Gallo |
Dallas Keuchel |
Mike Trout |
Greg |
Byron Buxton |
Dallas Keuchel |
Mike Trout |
Provenzano |
Byron Buxton |
Chris Sale |
Mike Trout |
Ferenchick |
Byron Buxton |
David Price |
Mike Trout |
Kunj |
Byron Buxton |
Chris Sale |
Dellin Betances |
Harlan |
Blake Snell |
Sonny Gray |
Manny Machado |
Nikhil |
Lewis Brinson |
David Price |
Mike Trout |
Jim |
Gary Sanchez |
Corey Kluber |
Mike Trout |
Jake |
Jose Berrios |
Chris Sale |
Mike Trout |
Chris |
Jose Berrios |
Dallas Keuchel |
Mike Trout |
Tom |
Byron Buxton |
Chris Sale |
Carlos Correa |
Hecht |
Byron Buxton |
Sonny Gray |
Mike Trout |
Results |
Michael Fulmer |
Rick Porcello |
Mike Trout |
NL Awards |
Rookie of the Year |
Cy Young Award |
MVP |
Tanya |
Corey Seager |
Zack Greinke |
Bryce Harper |
Jason |
Corey Seager |
Gerrit Cole |
Paul Goldschmidt |
Andrew |
Corey Seager |
Madison Bumgarner |
Paul Goldschmidt |
Caitlin |
Corey Seager |
Clayton Kershaw |
Bryce Harper |
Greg |
Corey Seager |
Clayton Kershaw |
Bryce Harper |
Provenzano |
Corey Seager |
Noah Syndergaard |
Bryce Harper |
Ferenchick |
Corey Seager |
Clayton Kershaw |
Bryce Harper |
Kunj |
Corey Seager |
Matt Harvey |
Andrew McCutchen |
Harlan |
Trevor Story |
Noah Syndergaard |
Paul Goldschmidt |
Nikhil |
Corey Seager |
Clayton Kershaw |
Bryce Harper |
Jim |
Trevor Story |
Jake Arrieta |
Paul Goldschmidt |
Jake |
Corey Seager |
Max Scherzer |
Buster Posey |
Chris |
Corey Seager |
Clayton Kershaw |
Anthony Rizzo |
Tom |
Corey Seager |
Clayton Kershaw |
Bryce Harper |
Hecht |
Corey Seager |
Madison Bumgarner |
Bryce Harper |
Results |
Corey Seager |
Max Scherzer |
Kris Bryant |
Some of us were definitely overthinking it regarding the AL MVP race. No one taking Bryant was a little surprising in the NL, too.
8. PLAYOFFS?!
Playoffs |
AL Wild Card game |
NL Wild Card game |
ALCS |
NLCS |
World Series |
WS Champ |
Tanya |
TOR vs. TEX |
PIT vs. ARI |
NYY vs. HOU |
NYM vs. CHC
|
Yankees/Cubs
|
Yankees |
Jason |
TOR vs. TEX |
PIT vs. STL |
NYY vs. HOU |
CHC vs. PIT |
Astros/Pirates |
Pirates |
Andrew |
KC vs. NYY |
PIT vs. ARI |
HOU vs. KC |
WAS vs. SF |
Astros/Nationals |
Nationals |
Caitlin |
NYY vs. TEX |
WAS vs. SF
|
NYY vs. KC |
NYM vs. CHC
|
Yankees/Cubs
|
Cubs |
Greg |
TOR vs. MIN |
PIT vs. ARI |
NYY vs. HOU |
NYM vs. CHC
|
Yankees/Cubs
|
Yankees |
Provenzano |
TOR vs. NYY |
PIT vs. SF
|
NYY vs. BOS |
NYM vs. PIT |
Yankees/Pirates |
Pirates |
Ferenchick |
TOR vs. BOS |
PIT vs. SF
|
NYY vs. HOU |
WAS vs. SF |
Yankees/Giants |
Yankees |
Kunj |
TOR vs. LAA |
CHC vs. STL |
NYY vs. KC |
PIT vs. CHC
|
Yankees/Pirates |
Pirates |
Harlan |
NYY vs. KC |
PIT vs. ARI |
TOR vs. CLE |
PIT vs. SF |
Indians/Giants |
Giants |
Nikhil |
NYY vs. TEX |
PIT vs. WAS |
NYY vs. TOR
|
CHC vs. NYM |
Yankees/Cubs
|
Yankees |
Jim |
NYY vs. MIN |
LAD vs. STL |
NYY vs. HOU |
CHC vs. STL |
Yankees/Cubs
|
Yankees |
Jake |
TOR vs. SEA |
WAS vs. SF
|
CLE vs. BOS |
LAD vs. CHC |
Indians/Dodgers |
Dodgers |
Chris |
BOS vs. CLE |
NYM vs. SF |
KC vs. TEX |
CHC vs. SF |
Royals/Cubs
|
Cubs |
Tom |
CLE vs. BOS |
STL vs. WAS |
HOU vs. KC |
CHC vs. NYM |
Astros/Cubs
|
Cubs |
Hecht |
NYY vs. CLE |
NYM vs. PIT |
KC vs. TEX |
PIT vs. SF |
Rangers/Giants |
Giants |
Results |
TOR vs. BAL |
SF vs. NYM |
CLE vs. TOR |
CHC vs. LAD |
Indians/Cubs |
Cubs |
Not bad results here considering the fact that predicting anything about the playoffs in March is difficult.
Staff results
|
Points |
Jake |
32 |
Chris |
32 |
Caitlin |
23 |
Provenzano |
23 |
Jim |
23 |
Kunj |
21 |
Harlan |
21 |
Tom |
21 |
Tanya |
19 |
Jason |
19 |
Ferenchick |
19 |
Hecht |
16 |
Andrew |
15 |
Greg |
15 |
Nikhil |
15 |