Revisiting Paul’s preseason picks, many of which sucked

Earlier today I wrote a post looking back at my preseason picks to see how right I was (to the extent that anybody can be right about something 2/5 of the way through the season). And brother, when I’m right, I’m right. Except when it comes to predicting the AL West. Then I’m (probably) very wrong.

Speaking of very wrong, Paul had the temerity to suggest that I wouldn’t have written about my picks if I had done a crappier job picking. Of course, that’s not true. I have no trouble talking about crappy predictions. To prove it, let’s look at some of Paul’s preseason choices.

NL East: Mets — They’re two games behind the Phillies, which isn’t too bad. But if the Mets make the postseason, their’s will be the crappiest starting rotation to ever pitch in October.
NL West: Diamondbacks — You could make a case that the Diamondbacks have been unlucky this season. And, hey, when your first baseman gets valley fever, that’s pretty unlucky. But you could make an even stronger case that, aside from a very lucky season two years ago, the D-backs haven’t been good since Curt Schilling left. Arizona is 17 games back, and they’re in last place, behind even San Diego and San Francisco. That is woeful.
AL Central: Indians — The Indians are 10 games back with a -17 run differential, but hey, they’ve got Carl Pavano!
AL West: A’s — Paul and I were both blinded by our love of all things Beane, apparently.
NL Rookie of the Year: Cameron Maybin — How’s triple-A treating you, Cameron? You enjoying the Big Easy?
AL Rookie of the Year: Travis Snider — That sub-.300 OBP isn’t going to impress the voters, I fear.
AL CY Young: C.C. Sabathia — The big fella has been good, but not Cy Young good. Then again, he’s a slow starter. This is far from Paul’s worst pick. Then again, this pick had a lot of competition.

Overall, Paul made some predictions that look like they may pan out, picking the Red Sox to win the AL East and the Yankees to win the AL wild card. But man, he tanked it when it came to the NL West. I can smell that pick from here.

Blogger’s note: I was feeling saucy this afternoon. Paul, I tease because I love.