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Yankees at the halfway point: Revisiting preseason Pinstripe Alley predictions

How has the Pinstripe Alley staff fared on projecting the 2014 season so far?

Sorry to have underestimated your powerrs, #TanakaTime.
Sorry to have underestimated your powerrs, #TanakaTime.
Rich Schultz

Back on March 31st, 15 members of the Pinstripe Alley writing staff made their preseason predictions about both the Yankees and the rest of baseball. Now, the Yankees are exactly halfway through the season at 81 games, and they have an underwhelming 41-40 record. Certain Yankees got off to superb starts, but for the most part, it's been a half-season of disappointment. Regardless, now is the perfect time to look back on those predictions--who is doing their best Nostradmus impression, and who should not be purchasing tea leaves?

Feel free to make any predictions you'd like for the rest of the season in the comments!

1) 2014 AL standings:

AL East 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st half Blue Jays Orioles Yankees Red Sox Rays
Tanya Yankees Rays Red Sox Orioles Blue Jays
Jason Red Sox Yankees Rays Orioles Blue Jays
Andrew Rays Yankees Red Sox Orioles Blue Jays
Caitlin Red Sox Yankees Rays Orioles Blue Jays
Greg (1) Yankees Rays Orioles Red Sox Blue Jays
Matt Pro. (1) Red Sox Rays Yankees Blue Jays Orioles
Michael Red Sox Yankees Rays Orioles Blue Jays
Matt Fer. Yankees Red Sox Rays Orioles Blue Jays
Jesse (1) Red Sox Rays Yankees Orioles Blue Jays
Harlan Rays Yankees Red Sox Orioles Blue Jays
John Rays Yankees Red Sox Orioles Blue Jays
Derek (1) Red Sox Rays Yankees Orioles Blue Jays
Scott Red Sox Yankees Rays Orioles Blue Jays
Chris (1) Rays Red Sox Yankees Blue Jays Orioles
Jim Yankees Red Sox Rays Orioles Blue Jays
Consensus Red Sox Yankees Rays Orioles Blue Jays
AL Central 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st half Tigers Royals Indians White Sox Twins
Tanya (5) Tigers Royals Indians White Sox Twins
Jason (3) Tigers Royals Indians Twins White Sox
Andrew (2) Tigers Royals Twins Indians White Sox
Caitlin (3) Tigers Indians Royals White Sox Twins
Greg (1) Royals Tigers Indians Twins White Sox
Matt Pro. (5) Tigers Royals Indians White Sox Twins
Michael (3) Tigers Royals Indians Twins White Sox
Matt Fer. (5) Tigers Royals Indians White Sox Twins
Jesse (1) Tigers Indians Royals Twins White Sox
Harlan (3) Tigers Royals Indians Twins White Sox
John (5) Tigers Royals Indians White Sox Twins
Derek (3) Tigers Indians Royals White Sox Twins
Scott (1) Tigers Indians Royals Twins White Sox
Chris (5) Tigers Royals Indians White Sox Twins
Jim (5) Tigers Royals Indians White Sox Twins
Consensus Tigers Royals Indians White Sox Twins
AL West 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st half A's Angels Mariners Rangers Astros
Tanya (2) A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros
Jason (2) A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros
Andrew (3) A's Angels Rangers Mariners Astros
Caitlin (2) A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros
Greg (2) A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros
Matt Pro. (3) A's Angels Rangers Mariners Astros
Michael (2) Rangers A's Mariners Angels Astros
Matt Fer. (1) Rangers A's Angels Mariners Astros
Jesse (2) A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros
Harlan (2) Rangers Angels A's Mariners Astros
John (2) A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros
Derek (2) A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros
Scott (2) A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros
Chris (3) A's Angels Rangers Mariners Astros
Jim (2) A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros
Consensus A's Rangers Angels Mariners Astros

2) 2014 NL standings

NL East 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st half Braves Nationals Marlins Mets Phillies
Tanya Nationals Braves Mets Phillies Marlins
Jason (3) Braves Nationals Phillies Mets Marlins
Andrew Nationals Braves Mets Phillies Marlins
Caitlin (1) Nationals Braves Phillies Mets Marlins
Greg Nationals Braves Phillies Marlins Mets
Matt Pro. (1) Nationals Braves Phillies Mets Marlins
Michael Nationals Braves Mets Phillies Marlins
Matt Fer. (1) Nationals Braves Phillies Mets Marlins
Jesse (1) Nationals Braves Mets Marlins Phillies
Harlan Nationals Braves Mets Phillies Marlins
John (1) Nationals Braves Marlins Phillies Mets
Derek Nationals Braves Mets Phillies Marlins
Scott Nationals Braves Mets Phillies Marlins
Chris (1) Nationals Braves Phillies Mets Marlins
Jim Nationals Braves Mets Phillies Marlins
Consensus Nationals Braves Mets Phillies Marlins
NL Central 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st half Brewers Cardinals Reds Pirates Cubs
Tanya Cardinals Reds Pirates Cubs Brewers
Jason (1) Cardinals Pirates Reds Cubs Brewers
Andrew (1) Cardinals Pirates Reds Cubs Brewers
Caitlin (2) Cardinals Pirates Reds Brewers Cubs
Greg (3) Pirates Cardinals Reds Brewers Cubs
Matt Pro. (1) Cardinals Reds Pirates Brewers Cubs
Michael (2) Cardinals Pirates Reds Brewers Cubs
Matt Fer. (1) Cardinals Reds Pirates Brewers Cubs
Jesse Cardinals Reds Pirates Cubs Brewers
Harlan (3) Reds Cardinals Brewers Pirates Cubs
John (1) Cardinals Pirates Reds Cubs Brewers
Derek (1) Cardinals Reds Pirates Brewers Cubs
Scott (2) Cardinals Pirates Reds Brewers Cubs
Chris (2) Cardinals Pirates Reds Brewers Cubs
Jim (1) Cardinals Reds Pirates Brewers Cubs
Consensus Cardinals Reds Pirates Brewers Cubs
NL West 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
1st half Dodgers Giants COL/SD COL/SD Diamondbacks
Tanya (2) Dodgers Diamondbacks Giants Padres Rockies
Jason (3) Dodgers Giants Diamondbacks Padres Rockies
Andrew (3) Dodgers Giants Diamondbacks Rockies Padres
Caitlin (3) Dodgers Diamondbacks Padres Rockies Giants
Greg (3) Dodgers Giants Diamondbacks Rockers Padres
Matt Pro. (2) Dodgers Diamondbacks Padres Giants Rockies
Michael (2) Dodgers Diamondbacks Padres Giants Rockies
Matt Fer. (3) Dodgers Giants Diamondbacks Padres Rockies
Jesse (3) Dodgers Giants Padres Diamondbacks Rockies
Harlan (3) Dodgers Giants Diamondbacks Padres Rockies
John (3) Dodgers Diamondbacks Padres Rockies Giants
Derek (2) Dodgers Diamondbacks Padres Giants Rockies
Scott (3) Dodgers Giants Diamondbacks Padres Rockies
Chris (3) Dodgers Giants Padres Diamondbacks Rockies
Jim (3) Dodgers Giants Padres Diamondbacks Rockies
Consensus Dodgers Diamondbacks Giants Padres Rockies

3) Tanaka ERA, D-Rob Sv, McCann/Beltran HR, Gardner/Ellsbury SB, and Jeter G

(2 points for closest guess, 3 points for exact)

NYY Misc. Tanaka ERA D-Rob Sv McCann HR Beltran HR Gardner SB Ellsbury SB Jeter G
1st half pace 2.10 36 18 16 30 44 142
Tanya 3.21 42 31 23 36 53 99
Jason (2) 3.15 35 26 21 29 35 120
Andrew (4) 3.56 37 23 30 35 38 125
Caitlin 3.33 34 27 23 38 47 130
Greg (2) 3.16 47 29 31 47 51 131
Matt Pro. (4) 3.40 35 30 25 35 45 100
Michael 3.51 38 28 35 32 54 115
Matt Fer. (2) 3.49 40 29 20 38 49 120
Jesse 3.70 45 29 22 40 55 110
Harlan 3.28 40 24 26 25 37 95
John (2) 3.80 32 23 29 34 42 125
Derek (5) 3.20 35 25 25 30 50 120
Scott (5) 3.55 42 26 30 30 45 120
Chris (2) 3.09 40 23 24 25 40 89
Jim (2) 3.91 38 25 20 31 39 97
Average 3.42 39 27 26 34 45 113

4) Yankee leaders: AVG, HR, ERA, and WAR

(2 points for correct)

NYY leaders AVG HR ERA WAR
1st half Jacoby Ellsbury Mark Teixeira Masahiro Tanaka Masahiro Tanaka
Tanya (4) Jacoby Ellsbury Brian McCann Masahiro Tanaka Jacoby Ellsbury
Jason Carlos Beltran Brian McCann Hiroki Kuroda Jacoby Ellsbury
Andrew (2) Jacoby Ellsbury Carlos Beltran Ivan Nova Jacoby Ellsbury
Caitlin (2) Jacoby Ellsbury Brian McCann Ivan Nova Jacoby Ellsbury
Greg Brian McCann Carlos Beltran Ivan Nova Jacoby Ellsbury
Matt Pro. (4) Jacoby Ellsbury Brian McCann Masahiro Tanaka Jacoby Ellsbury
Michael (2) Jacoby Ellsbury Carlos Beltran Ivan Nova Jacoby Ellsbury
Matt Fer. (2) Jacoby Ellsbury Brian McCann Hiroki Kuroda Brian McCann
Jesse (2) Jacoby Ellsbury Brian McCann Ivan Nova Jacoby Ellsbury
Harlan (4) Carlos Beltran Mark Teixeira Masahiro Tanaka Jacoby Ellsbury
John Derek Jeter Carlos Beltran Ivan Nova Hiroki Kuroda
Derek (6) Jacoby Ellsbury Brian McCann Masahiro Tanaka Masahiro Tanaka
Scott (2) Jacoby Ellsbury Carlos Beltran Ivan Nova Jacoby Ellsbury
Chris (6) Jacoby Ellsbury Carlos Beltran Masahiro Tanaka Masahiro Tanaka
Jim Carlos Beltran Alfonso Soriano CC Sabathia Brian McCann
Consensus Jacoby Ellsbury Brian McCann Ivan Nova Jacoby Ellsbury

5) MLB leaders: AVG, HR, ERA, and WAR

(2 points for correct)

MLB leaders AVG HR ERA WAR
1st half Troy Tulowitzki Abreu/Cruz/Encarnacion Johnny Cueto Mike Trout
Tanya (2) Miguel Cabrera Chris Davis Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Jason (2) Mike Trout Miguel Cabrera Jose Fernandez Mike Trout
Andrew (2) Joe Mauer Miguel Cabrera Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Caitlin (2) Miguel Cabrera Chris Davis Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Greg (2) Mike Trout Miguel Cabrera Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Matt Pro. (2) Mike Trout Chris Davis Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Michael (2) Miguel Cabrera Giancarlo Stanton Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Matt Fer. (2) Miguel Cabrera Chris Davis Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Jesse (2) Miguel Cabrera Miguel Cabrera Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Harlan (2) Joey Votto Giancarlo Stanton Stephen Strasburg Mike Trout
John (2) Miguel Cabrera Paul Goldschmidt Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Derek (2) Miguel Cabrera Chris Davis Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Scott (2) Miguel Cabrera Miguel Cabrera Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Chris (2) Miguel Cabrera Chris Davis Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Jim (2) Miguel Cabrera Miguel Cabrera Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout
Consensus Miguel Cabrera Davis-Cabrera Clayton Kershaw Mike Trout

6) Most team wins & losses, first manager fired

MLB Misc. Most team wins Most team losses 1st manager fired
1st half A's/Brewers D'backs/Rays N/A
Tanya Cardinals (97) Astros (101) Ned Yost (KC)
Jason Tigers (98) Astros (90) Mike Scioscia (LAA)
Andrew Nationals (97) Astros (95) John Gibbons (TOR)
Caitlin Tigers (97) Astros (102) Ron Gardenhire (MIN)
Greg Yankees (102) Astros (113) Ned Yost (KC)
Matt Pro. Dodgers (99) Astros (97) Ryne Sandberg (PHI)
Michael Dodgers (97) Marlins (99) Mike Scioscia (LAA)
Matt Fer. Dodgers (100) Marlins (101) Ned Yost (KC)
Jesse Cardinals (97) Astros (100) Ned Yost (KC)
Harlan Nationals (97) Astros (103) John Gibbons (TOR)
John Cardinals (96) Astros (108) Bruce Bochy (SF)
Derek Nationals (95) Astros (96) John Gibbons (TOR)
Scott Dodgers (96) Astros (100) John Gibbons (TOR)
Chris Dodgers (95) Astros (94) John Gibbons (TOR)
Jim Dodgers (96) Astros (100) Ryne Sandberg (PHI)
Consensus Dodgers (97) Astros (100) John Gibbons (TOR)

***

That does it for the preseason predictions we can make rulings on. (Boy, the AL East did a number on us.) Here's who leads as of now:

Writer Points
Chris 25
Matt Pro. 23
Derek 22
Andrew 17
Matt Fer. 17
Harlan 17
Scott 17
John 16
Jason 16
Tanya 15
Caitlin 15
Jim 15
Greg 14
Michael 13
Jesse 11

And here's who we picked for playoff spots and awards to be handed out by MLB at season's end:

7) MLB Awards

AL Awards Rookie of the Year Cy Young Award MVP
Tanya Masahiro Tanaka David Price Mike Trout
Jason Masahiro Tanaka Chris Sale Mike Trout
Andrew Nick Castellanos Yu Darvish Mike Trout
Caitlin Jose Abreu Max Scherzer Miguel Cabrera
Greg Masahiro Tanaka Masahiro Tanaka Mike Trout
Matt Pro. Xander Bogaerts Chris Sale Mike Trout
Michael Xander Bogaerts Felix Hernandez Mike Trout
Matt Fer. Masahiro Tanaka Yu Darvish Mike Trout
Jesse Xander Bogaerts Yu Darvish Miguel Cabrera
Harlan Masahiro Tanaka Yu Darvish Mike Trout
John Taijuan Walker Yu Darvish Miguel Cabrera
Derek Xander Bogaerts Felix Hernandez Miguel Cabrera
Scott Masahiro Tanaka Yu Darvish Mike Trout
Chris Masahiro Tanaka Felix Hernandez Mike Trout
Jim Masahiro Tanaka Yu Darvish Mike Trout
Consensus Masahiro Tanaka Yu Darvish Mike Trout
NL Awards Rookie of the Year Cy Young Award MVP
Tanya Javier Baez Jose Fernandez Yadier Molina
Jason Oscar Tavares Jose Fernandez Carlos Gomez
Andrew Chris Owings Clayton Kershaw Bryce Harper
Caitlin Oscar Tavares Clayton Kershaw Yadier Molina
Greg Javier Baez Clayton Kershaw Andrew McCutchen
Matt Pro. Archie Bradley
Jose Fernandez Bryce Harper
Michael Billy Hamilton
Clayton Kershaw Hanley Ramirez
Matt Fer. Oscar Tavares Clayton Kershaw Hanley Ramirez
Jesse Javier Baez Clayton Kershaw Bryce Harper
Harlan Archie Bradley Stephen Strasburg Joey Votto
John Archie Bradley Clayton Kershaw Yadier Molina
Derek Archie Bradley Clayton Kershaw Andrew McCutchen
Scott Oscar Tavares Clayton Kershaw Bryce Harper
Chris Javier Baez Clayton Kershaw Andrew McCutchen
Jim Oscar Tavares
Stephen Strasburg Buster Posey
Consensus Oscar Tavares Clayton Kershaw Bryce Harper

8. PLAYOFFS?!

(Hyphen means the vote was split.)

Playoffs ALWC NLWC ALCS NLCS WS WS Champ
Tanya Rays/Rangers Braves/Reds Yankees/Rays Dodgers/Cardinals Dodgers/Yankees Dodgers
Jason Yankees/Rangers Nationals/Cardinals Red Sox/Tigers Dodgers/Nationals Dodgers/Tigers Tigers
Andrew Yankees/Angels Braves/Giants Yankees/A's Cardinals/Nationals Nationals/A's A's
Caitlin Yankees/Rangers Braves/Pirates Yankees/Tigers Dodgers/Cardinals Dodgers/Tigers Tigers
Greg Rays/Tigers Braves/Cardinals Yankees/A's Dodgers/Pirates Pirates/Yankees Yankees
Matt Pro. Yankees/Rays Braves/Reds Red Sox/Tigers Dodgers/Nationals Dodgers/Tigers Dodgers
Michael Yankees/A's Pirates/Reds Yankees/Red Sox Dodgers/Nationals Dodgers/Yankees Dodgers
Matt Fer. Red Sox/Rays Reds/Giants Yankees/Tigers Dodgers/Cardinals Dodgers/Yankees Dodgers
Jesse Rays/Yankees Giants/Braves Red Sox/Tigers Cardinals/Nationals Cardinals/Tigers Cardinals
Harlan Yankees/Angels Cardinals/Brewers Rangers/Rays Dodgers/Nationals Nationals/Rays Rays
John Yankees/ Rangers Braves/Pirates Yankees/A's Dodgers/Cardinals Cardinals/Yankees Yankees
Derek Rays/Yankees Braves/Reds Red Sox/Tigers Cardinals/Nationals Nationals/Tigers Nationals
Scott Yankees/Rangers Braves/Giants Yankees/Tigers Dodgers/Nationals Dodgers/Tigers Tigers
Chris A's/Red Sox Giants/Braves Rays/Tigers Dodgers/Nationals Dodgers/Rays Dodgers
Jim Red Sox/Rangers Braves/Reds Yankees/A's Dodgers/Nationals Dodgers/Yankees Dodgers
Consensus Yankees/Rays-Rangers Braves/Reds Yankees/Tigers Dodgers/Nationals Dodgers/Yankees-Tigers Dodgers