BPP 2018 in review

It's fun to look back at/repent on at leisure the picks each year, especially the scoreboard-busters nobody saw coming. What we did see coming was the dominance of Machado, Martinez, and Turner, who led all wire-to-wire picks with 26 points...but George Springer, who last played 10 days ago, still led ALL picks with 29 points, and almost kept several zombie slates in it.

For the Classic, Turner was the pool MVP with 10 TB, followed by Betts and Martinez with 9 each...but our Shane Victorino Award for Most Productive Unpicked Player goes, of course, to Steve Pearce with 14 TB and a 1.667 OPS. 

Bellinger didn't take a collar in the World Series, but he's still the pool LVP with but a single TB. And not for nothing, but Machado didn't exactly kill it in the last five games either. Maybe if he were less focused on stomping on first basemen's heels...

A snapshot of the final full standings, after the jump.

BOS 5, LAD 1; Red Sox win fourth title in 15 years

Someone in my Twitter TL last night said something to the effect that the Dodgers are good, "but they don't have this in the NL West," and that's about right. I thought the Sox might be overrated going into the postseason, but then, almost everyone else IN that division would have won the NL East outright. Yeah, Roberts made a few decisions that don't look great now. Not sure how much difference it was ever going to make.

So congrats to the Red Sox (again); condolences to the Trolley-Dodgers (a...gain); and we have our winners! And speaking of four titles, thanks to Betts there are four top finishers here at the end, and at least Lauren can dry her tears with money...

78 Shotwell 1
72 MArbour 1 and Reid Hate
65 JArbour 1

Just a reminder on the disbursements: 

Winner takes 70 percent of the pot; second place takes 20 percent; third place takes 10 percent. In the event of a tie, the money will be divided evenly between/among players with the same point totals.

So with 30 slates playing, that's $210 to the top finisher, $60 to second place (so $30 each, in this case), and $30 to third. 

Couple things to handle this AM, but I'll be back later in the morning with full standings, M and LVPs, the Shane Victorino (which we may have to rename the Steve Pearce), and disbursements. 

BOS 9, LAD 6

My grand prediction last night, before Puig even went yard, was that if the Dodgers won Game 4, they would win the Series...and if they lost Game 4 they would not win another game in the Series. I hope I'm wrong, because as always I'm not ready for baseball to end (not least since it will make it harder to ignore the asinine choices getting made in Flushing)...but I don't think I'm wrong. Boston is getting so little production from its marquee players and still dominating.

I mean, yeah, maybe send Madson a muffin basket, but still. 

Points:

Benintendi 1
Bogaerts 1

Machado 1
Muncy 1
Puig 4
Turner 4

Mookie's silent bat is causing some fulminations amongst his pickers, as Machado and Turner continue to pay off:

73 Shotwell 1
72 MArbour 1
63 Reid Hate

Zombies and more after the jump...

LAD 3, BOS 2 (18)

So I got in bed with the radio broadcast at around the 8th inning; fell asleep an inning or so after that; and then woke up when Dan came to bed around the 13th and listened for a while, but when I FIRST went to sleep, I remember thinking, "Well, the closers have both already come in, so whatever happens, it'll be over soon." Literally what I thought.

Woke up around 7 AM ET thinking the game might actually still be going on. 

And in the timeline where it IS still going on, maybe the Boston hitters got some points? But in this timeline, nada. 

Los Dodgers, meanwhile:

Bellinger 1
Machado 1
Muncy 6
Puig 2
Turner 3

Thanks to JT, the zombie slates depart the money at last.

68 Shotwell
66 MArbour 1
62 Reid Hate

Best of the rest after the jump!

BOS 4, LAD 2

Apologies again for the delayed update from Game 1...which was written by 8 AM yesterday. Not sure what happened there; little internet weirdness going on at BPP HQ as we're semi-under construction here. 

Moving on, then, to last night's action -- an oddly paced game that flew by for a few innings, slowed to a crawl (albeit a compelling one) in the middle innings, and then sped back up for the last few frames as Boston's bullpen seemed to have gotten the bit in its teeth. But L.A. doesn't look "cold," game-time temps aside. They're hitting. I think Boston's just...better. 

Are they better points-wise? Let's find out:

Machado 1
Puig 1

Betts 4
Bogaerts 2
Martinez 1

So, yes, basically, although I could have sworn Benintendi got a point or two in there as well. That catch gives him points in my heart?

Here's how the Betts surge affected the money:

64 Shotwell 1
61 Reid Hate
58 Zombies MArbour 2, Fell 1, Johnson 2

The best of the rest, after the jump!

The next game should drop the walkers out of the money, especially if Turner puts any points on the board, which he's likely to do. Waiting in the wings:

56 MArbour 1
54 JArbour 1
51 Yuhan 2

49 Richardson, Bingham 2
47 Johnson 1
46 Yuhan 1
45 Shotwell 1

44 Living Cameron
43 Zombie Cameron

And then our dark horses, mostly clustered in the high thirties:

39 Brady
38 Crase
37 Dave Sr.

26 Winklepleck

The Dodgers send Buehler to the bump Friday night, and they'll need to jump all over Porcello, and fast, for them (and Lauren, and MArbour 1) to stay in it. Until then, we wait! And gripe, if you like, in the comments. 

BOS 8, LAD 4

Don't know why this didn't publish yesterday morning. Sorry! Here it is now. - SDB

Everyone looked AMPED UP last night -- nervous, not finishing pitches. Not sloppy play, exactly, just adrenalized. But it's the kind of play that racks up points, so let's see how we did...and whether any of the zombie slates is finally starting to drop.

Benintendi 5
Betts 1
Martinez 3

Machado 1
Muncy 1 (I just typed "Munch"; verrrrry different pool)
Turner 3

And at last, a non-walker leader!

62 Shotwell
58 Zombies MArbour 2, Fell 1, and Johnson 2
55 Reid Hate and MArbour 1

The rest of the top half, plus some slates to watch, after the jump.

LAD 5, MIL 1; Dodgers advance

I have nothing against the Dodgers; this just isn't the NL team I'd hoped to see go to the World Series. Then again, if you can't get yourself out of handcuffs at the plate, you're not going and that's probably as it should be. Still, I'll miss having Uecker on the call next week.

Lots of housekeeping to do here so let's get to it. First, the points:

Bellinger 4 (!)
Machado 2
Muncy 1
Puig 7 (!!)
Turner 1

Cain 3
Yelich 4

For Bellinger to have won the CS MVP is...not my interpretation of the statistics, but: sure. He was tied for least valuable, picks-wise, with Mr. Yelich, who at least did us the favor of departing with a homer. MVPool: LoCain. And our Shane Victorino is also a contender for worst hair of the '18 postseason: Orlando Arcia.

Leaving us:

Aguilar
Cain
Yelich

[cracks knuckles] Aight, let's look at the money. Three-way tie at the top...among three slates that are now all zombies, of which more in a moment:

58 Zombie MArbour 2, Zombie Fell 1, Zombie Johnson 2
55 Shotwell 1
50 Reid Hate, MArbour 1

Full standings and who's out, after the jump...

MIL 5, LAD 2

Nice of Freese to continue his tradition of owning the postseason whether anyone picks him or not...which of course none of us did. MIL pickers actually gained some ground last night, though, for a change, as the Brewers strung together some hits -- NOT homers -- and forced a Game 7. And I don't know if you heard anything about this, but Hader is available to start, play left field, mow the outfield grass, man the t-shirt cannon, and do bat races. ...I like the kid and he's fun to watch, but shit's sake will I not miss this storyline come the end.

At least one more game to live with it, though. But first, points:

Turner 1

Aguilar 5
Cain 2
Yelich 2

And now, the money, which Johnson has a gimlet eye on should the Brewers advance:

58 Zombie MArbour 2 and Zombie Fell 1
52 Shotwell 1
51 Johnson 2

and not far behind

48 Reid Hate
46 MArbour 1
43 Richardson

Everyone else after the jump!

BOS 4, HOU 1; Red Sox advance

I keep thinking about my comment yesterday, that it never felt like Boston was in control of the series. I still feel that way to an extent, and a 4-1 loss for Houston is still a surprise, but I underestimated the Sox...in a way, in my defense, that I underestimated the '86 Mets. There's something about a team with that gaudy a regular-season record that almost dares you to take it seriously in a short series, I don't know what it is.

In any case, congrats to them for getting to the Classic...and for up-ending the pool in fine ice-bath style. Entire leading slates, wiped out! Last hopes, dashed! Me, sending "it's aliiiiiiive" GIFs to my father! 

Love it. ...Okay, let's get this champagne-y mess cleaned up. Points:

Martinez 5

Altuve 1
Gurriel 3
Springer 1

Leaving us: 

Altuve
Bregman
Gurriel
Springer

The money only shuffled a little, for now, thanks to JD Martinez:

58 MArbour 2 and Fell 1
51 Shotwell 1
48 Reid Hate

and just off the pace, it's 

47 Johnson 2
45 MArbour 1
43 Richardson

But...you know. Those top slates lost everybody. My lead slate lost everybody; my second slate has only dupes. The Bauer slates are functionally done. But everyone's going to stay where they are update-wise until we cast the World Series. Rest of the standings after the jump.

BOS 8, HOU 6

The game started off weird and intense, and I think got only more so, although I once again fell asleep in the middle innings and I suspect missed the real fireworks. I certainly didn't think we'd see the balance tip 3-1 in Boston's favor, but here we are. 

Points!

Benintendi 4
Betts 1
Bogaerts 3
Martinez 2

Altuve 2
Gurriel 1
Springer 7

George, George, George of the Astros / swings a bat that's free!

A slightly new look for the money:

56 MArbour 2 and Fell 1
46 Shotwell 1 and Johnson 2
45 MArbour 1

43 Reid Hate

Everyone else after the jump...

LAD 5, MIL 2

One hopes this puts an end, finally, years after it was A Thing, to the annual "Kershaw isn't dominant in the postseason" "narrative." He's...Kershaw, whatever that means now, but maybe we could just assume "hapless" isn't on the menu. The Brewers couldn't really solve him yesterday, in any case, and the shots Yelich fired across the bow at Machado failed to translate to bases...again.

Points:

Aguilar 2
Cain 3

Bellinger 2!
Muncy 1
Puig 3
Turner 2

Money-wise, just a slight tweak that breaks the tie at second:

47 MArbour 2, Fell 1
45 MArbour 1
44 Shotwell 1

Reid Hate and Johnson 2 trailing. 

Most interesting, at least to me, is the lone Puig-picker, my dad, ascending the second division of the pool rankings with a knife in his teeth. If the Astros don't hang on here, this could get REAL interesting, and on that tip, stand by for the AL results...

LAD 2, MIL 1 (13)

I fell asleep somewhere in the 10th? And then when I woke up, Charley Steiner was hollering something about Bellinger and I was like, "Well, THAT can't be right, guess I'm dreaming," and turned the At Bat app off and went back to sleep.

Nice to be wrong! He needed that.

What poolies need is for these Brewer picks to get. after. it. already.

Aguilar 1
Yelich 1

Bellinger 2
Machado 1
Muncy 1
Puig 1

That ties up the money, I'm afraid:

47 MArbour 2 and Fell 1
42 Shotwell 1 and MArbour 1
40 Reid Hate

Everyone else after the jump!

BOS 8, HOU 2

So apparently Cleveland warned Boston after the LDS that the Astros were running the sign-stealing equivalent of a card-counting ring, and some dude got chucked out of the park for it? I should be more scandalized by this, but frankly I was too delighted by the shelling of Osuna to focus. As I said on Twitter, only a shot up the middle that hit him in the face would have been more satisfying. Hashtag never Reyes.

ANY-way. Not quite as many points as you might think since nobody picked JBJ, but almost everyone got a little something:

Benintendi 2
Betts 1
Bogaerts 1
Martinez 2

Altuve 2
Bregman 3
Springer 1

The money shifts slightly: 

47 MArbour 2, Fell 1
41 Shotwell 1
40 MArbour 1

Reid Hate, Johnson 2, Yuhan 1, and Richardson not far back. Stand by for full standings with the NLCS update.

MIL 4, LAD 0

...Lord, that slo-mo of Bellinger hitting the outfield fence. They just...kept...showing it. And I just...kept...giggling and then feeling bad. That poor man.

Joc Pedersen welcomed his daughter Poppy (God help me, but: baw, that is a cute name) with some TB, but nobody picked him this year, and nobody drove him in either as the Dodgers got blanked...but then somehow the Crew only managed a single point for our picks: 

Yelich 1

Machado 3
Puig 2
Turner 1

No change here at the top, though I'll tip my hat to my pops clambering out of the sub-basement, at least until the day's games get underway. The money:


41 MArbour 2, Fell 1
40 MArbour 1
39 Shotwell 1

36 Reid Hate
34 Johnson 2, Yuhan 1

29 Richardson
28 a cast of thousands

25 Brady and Johnson 1
24 a whack of other people

A snapshot of the full standings after the jump.

BOS 7, HOU 5

I was not able to watch this game, but how pleasing that Betts actually got his pickers some traction. To the points!

Benintendi 1
Betts 4
Bogaerts 1

Altuve 1
Gurriel 1
Springer 4

A familiar configuration for the money, as a result:

41 MArbour 2, Fell 1
36 MArbour 1
35 Shotwell 1

Just off the pace:

33 Reid Hate, Johnson 2
30 Yuhan 1

Everyone else after the jump!

HOU 7, BOS 2

From a baseball perspective, that was kind of an ugly game. Wasn't great from a broadcasting perspective, either, since they consistently failed to cut away from fans/players clearly mouthing swear words. jk, that WAS great, because I am five.

And my annual Pick Nobody Else Took Who Heats Up Too Late To Help The Charred Remains Of My Slate, Gurriel, homered! So it wasn't all bad. But...it was kind of bad. If this is what it looks like with both aces pitching? Hopefully that will at least mean tons of points to spread around, and speaking of that, here are ours from the night game:

Gurriel 4
Springer 1

Betts 1
Bogaerts 1

An unsatisfying three-way split of the first-place money ATM. Well, unsatisfying for Fell, heh. But things are heating up around the cut-off...

36 The MArbours, Fell 1
35 Shotwell 1
30 Yuhan

29 Richardson, Reid Hate, Johnson 2
26 Cameron 2, Reid Love

The rest of us, after the jump.

LAD 4, MIL 3

Tough loss for the Crew. Also tough to watch for 1) our gazillion Yelich pickers, although he did manage to squeeze out a point, and 2) DGB, who probably wanted to do to his Puig pick what Puig did to his bat mid-game.

Points:

Bellinger lives! 1
Machado 1
Muncy 1
Turner 5

Aguilar 1
Cain 2
Yelich 1

New money standings after the jump!

MIL 6, LAD 5

Not a cute outing for Kershaw last night, though much of what transpired to chase him wasn't his fault.

Another stellar outing for Bob Uecker at the mic, though, and if you're not catching at least a few of the Brewers games via the At Bat app or other means so you can listen to Ueck's call, I'd recommend it. He's a treasure.

Speaking of treasure, did anyone make us any money last night? The points:

Machado 5

Aguilar 4
Cain 4

And the money looks a bit different as a result:

35 MArbour 2, Fell 1
29 MArbour 1, Shotwell 1
28 Richardson

27 Reid Hate
25 Reid Love, Cameron 2, Johnson 2
24 Brady, Yuhan 1

That's the best; see the rest after the jump.

BOS 4, NYY 3; Red Sox advance

It's a wonder the teams could play at all amidst the hailstorm of hot takes on Boone's managing from Game 3, and I don't disagree with the "the F is Severino still doing out there" flavor, but I'm not sure the outcome of the series would have been much different. Might have taken longer, but if Stanton isn't going to hit, Stanton isn't going to hit. That "red-hot Voit" pick isn't looking so great either, let's be real.

The points:

Bogaerts 1
Martinez 1

That's...it. [Gordon Ramsay voice] Come on, guys!

Leaving us, not that it'll matter much results-wise:

Judge
Stanton
Voit

No poolies leaving us...yet. The slates with only Yelich left probably have no shot, but let's leave all that where it is until next week and see if Springer falls down a well with a bear at the bottom of it or something. I mean, not that that kind of thing happens to non-Mets. 

Standings, M and LVPs, and the sked after the jump!

BOS 16, NYY 1

My bro and I were listening to this one on and off last night, and every time we paused to catch the score, it had gotten gaudier for Boston. I think I punched out at 14-1, while feeling fondly towards this ass-whupping for, in theory, racking up a shit-ton of points for poolies.

Pretty sure Brock Holt is taking home the Shane Victorino Award for most productive non-pick in the DS round; here's how actual picks did:

Benintendi 3
Betts 2
Bogaerts 2
Martinez 1

Judge 1
Stanton 2
Voit 1

Still no substantive change here; full standings after the jump!

LAD 6, ATL 2; Dodgers advance

Atlanta seemed to have a better grip on this one than they ultimately did. Now it's going to start getting ugly pool-wise, but in the meantime, the points:

Albies 1
Freeman 2

Machado 6
Puig 2
Turner 1

Leaving us:

Acuña 
Albies
Freeman

No change to the money thanks to this game, though a couple people are snapping at the heels of third thanks to Machado's big night; no poolies eliminated yet either, but certain slates'...struggles...will continue.

Back in a short while with the sifted carnage of BOS/NYY.

HOU 11, CLE 3; Astros advance

...I hope I'm not the only one who thought, "Well, it's kind of fitting that a franchise that refuses to change its offensive name got the shit swept out of them on Columbus Day." If I am, well, so be it. I'm also the only one who thought picking Gurriel was a good idea and that's working out juuuuust greeeeaaaat.

This game was a weird one, very close and well played until a...bunt? seemed to cause Cleveland to crack, mentally. idk. That, or it's what I said the other day, and winning the AL Central doesn't mean squat come it's playoff time.

The points:

Lindor 5, thanks buddeh
Ramirez 0, because he's nothing if not consistent

Altuve 3
Bregman 3
Gurriel 1
Springer 9, and a pair of smoked glasses so you can look at him directly

Lindor and Ramirez both leaving us, which only affects two of the self-hating Mets fans in the group.

Money and the best of the rest:

35 MArbour 2, Fell 1
26 Richardson
25 Cameron 2

24 Reid Love
21 Johnson 2
19 Brady, Shotwell 2

And with the HOU-heavy slates off for a few days, the rest of us have a chance to breathe. Back later for LAD/ATL.

ATL 6, LAD 5

It looked like the Braves might find a way to give that one back; nice for poolies and for Acuña that his effort wasn't for naught.

Well, for Atlanta-pick poolies, that is. Bellinger has yet to get on the board, and only Muncy is really performing as you might hope, although Turner is doing that chipping-away thing he does. Maybe he could do that lend-Machado-his-bat thing. My NL slate's getting killed over here.

Last night's points:

Acuña 4
Albies 1
Freeman 4

Muncy 4
Turner 2

That jumps Richardson into the lead

23 Richardson
21 Reid Love
20 MArbour 2, Fell 1

A slightly different complexion for the rest of the field, which is after the jump.

MIL 6, COL 0; Brewers advance

It's a sad end to the Rox season, after all they did to get here; I don't know if they just ran out of gas or what. This isn't what we hoped to see. At the same time, I like the Brewers and I'm happy for them, and any circumstance that lets me listen to more Uecker is a happy one.

Your points for the deciding game:

Story 3

Aguilar 4

Leaving us:

Arenado
Blackmon
Story

...who collectively did not much, and Story only got on the board tonight. It's too bad.

No substantive change to our standings and the money remains the same, and as I write this Max Muncy just erased the Bravos' lead. Stand by!

NYY 6, BOS 2

Grumbly texts from Stanton pickers aside, at least the Yankees tied the series, which creates more opportunities for various New York and Sox pickers. How'd the slate do last night?

Kind of...strangely.

Bogaerts 4
Martinez 1

Judge 5
Stanton 1

That shuffles up the money:

Reid Love 21
MArbour 2, Fell 1 20
Cameron 2, Richardson 19

Best of the rest after the jump.

HOU 3, CLE 1

Apologies for the late update; family event in CT yesterday + drive to MA this morning = I didn't see either of the games and am behind on all things internet. But I didn't really need to watch any of this contest to kick myself for picking Cleveland hitters when they limped off with the least competitive division in any sport. I mean, yay Lindor, but for how long? 

The points:

Lindor 4

Altuve 1
Bregman 4
Springer 1

That makes your leaders

20 MArbour 2, Fell 1
19 Cameron 2
18 Richardson

Stand by for the next update/full standings in just a few minutes!

LAD 3, ATL 0

I say it every year; as a fan, I am all for pitchers' duels and low-scoring nail-biters. DeGrombi Wan was our only hope in Metland, after all. All hail the breaking of Gibson records, etc. And it's always nice to see ol' Kershie getting it done, especially when the Flushing nine aren't the ones who have to face him.

But pool-wise, oof. Gentlemen of the Peachtree Blvd. State, get it together. 

Your points:

Acuña 3

Machado 4
Puig 1
Turner 1

Money remains unchanged from last night:

16: Reid Love

15: MArbour 2, Fell 1, Cameron 2

14: Richardson

Rest of the standings after the jump.

BOS 5, NYY 4

After the flurry of texts during the game, a flurry of points from the game, as predicted...and speaking of predictions, I really don't know where this series goes from here. Between the Sox bullpen, the somewhat squishy starting pitching on the New York side, good hitters, bad defense...I don't know.

It won't be dull, though. Points!

Benintendi 2

Betts 2

Bogaerts 1

Martinez 5

Judge 6

Stanton 1

Voit 2

First set of standings after the jump.

MIL 4, COL 0

The Brewers blanked the Rockies...but the Brewer picks blanked us, as only a Coloradan got on the board.

Arenado 2

A handful of us inched up; no substantive change. Both night games still in progress at this writing and no shortage of points in either so far, so watch this space.

HOU 7, CLE 2

Kluber didn't look quite right in the #4GameFriday opener. Houston bats looked a-okay, though. And it looks like Lindor's going to make me pay for picking him...again, some more. 

Your points!

Lindor 1
Ramirez 0

Altuve 4
Bregman 5
Gurriel 2
Springer 5

MArbour 2, Cameron 2, and Fell 1 sitting pretty at 14 as of this writing, but we won't have a real picture until Yanks/Bosox starts in an hour. 

MIL 3, COL 2 (10); LAD 6, ATL 0

Interesting contrast in yesterday's games, no? You had three teams who have had to play at a nonstop pitch of intensity for the last couple weeks, executing; and you had Atlanta, which had its crappish division won...well, by Labor Day, if we're being generous about...whatever happened in Philadelphia, and hasn't necessarily had to focus quite so hard of late.

We do have a poolie who's visited Chavez Ravine recently; maybe s/he wants to report on what might face a visiting pitcher. On TV, it doesn't seem like it's as intense for the away team as, say, Fenway, but who knows what rattled Folty last night -- Koufax in his eyeline, not enough humidity, the fearsome line-up.

Points for the opener:

Blackmon 1

Yelich 5

A little more love in the nightcap:

Albies 1
Freeman 1

Muncy 4
Turner 2

Standings and schedule after the jump!

BPP 2018 is a go

Welcome back for the BPP's 13th go-round! No new faces this year, but one returning player who hasn't participated since the aughts (Hey, Dad.) and the usual complement of households locked in battle with each other.

The slate appears below -- double-click to enlarge. Only one duplicate, which given we have half the number of picks each this year is interesting.

Betts and Yelich leading with a dozen picks each; all eligible teams are represented, but Cleveland wasn't a popular option, while a lot of different people picked a lot of different Dodgers.

The fun -- by which I mean the sneaking out of double dates, team-building drinks, and family events to scoreboard-watch in the bar, and amongst the Buntings and Brady, who will get busted first tomorrow is...well, not really a question; it's clearly going to be me -- gets underway at 5:07 ET, Senzatela v. Woodruff in the COL/MIL series opener. 8:37 sees Atlanta in Chavez Ravine with Foltynewicz (guys: I spelled that right in one; it's cool if you don't believe me though, I wouldn't believe me) v. Ryu.

As always, grumbling, corrections, and wails of resentment and self-loathing are welcome in the comments. Which team will screw half the pool THIS time? Who's going home with the Shane Victorino Memorial "...THAT Guy?!" Award? Let's find out together! Good luck, everybody!

...oh, hello.

There's a steaming heap of deciding baseball yet to get through as of this writing, but the BPP is back. It looks a little different this year -- no pitcher picks this time around -- but I have no doubt the same "thrilling" gnashing of teeth and rending of garments we "enjoy" every year will occur.

We have two tiebreakers to get through just today and THEN wild-card action, so buckle up, sports fans. And welcome back! Thirteenth year of the pool; let's see who it's lucky for.

-------

Hello friends and fans of baseball (and money),

Welcome (back) to Bunting's Postseason Baseball Pool -- the postseason pool for everyone! You don't need to know a lot about baseball; you just have to know who's in the playoffs, and how to count. And that last one is optional, now that I think about it.

The set-up and instructions for entry appear below. For an overview of previous years' action, feel free to browse around the BPP blog, http://buntingspostseasonpool.blogspot.com.

Think I left someone off the dist list? Forward at will; the more the merrier!

Deadline for picks/payment is THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4 at NOON (12 PM) ET.

Sarah

PS I welcome questions/discussion BUT please don't reply all! Thank youuuuu!

PPS Not interested this year? Fear not; you'll fall off this list in a few days. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE SCORING

It works like this: you pick three (3) position players; points come from total bases.

single, e.g. = 1 pt.

double = 2 pts.

triple = 3 pts., etc.

For example, in the game linked below, Christian Yelich notches 8 points:

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/tigers-vs-brewers/2018/09/29/531812#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=531812

...That's right: no pitcher points this year. They'll be back at some point, no doubt; this year, I need to keep the flow of data manageable.

THE MONEY

Entry is $10 a pop. PayPal it to bunting at tomatonation dot com (Venmo also fine; sarahdbunting is the account).

Winner takes 70 percent of the pot; second place takes 20 percent; third place takes 10 percent. In the event of a tie, the money will be divided evenly between/among players with the same point totals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

"Do my players have to be on the same team as each other?"  No.

"CAN all my players be on the same team as each other?" Yes.

"Can I duplicate other people's picks?"  Yes. (You won't see everyone else's picks until all the picks are in anyway.)

"Can I play a half slate for half the money?"  No. Too complicated.

"Can I play more than one slate?"  You can play two slates max. Your slates must be different from each other.  Each slate is $10.

"Can I pick my slate early and just risk it re: the wild-cards?" Yes, you can; you can also pick your slate early and choose only from the known participants. The 2018 season is making that difficult ATM, so I'll just remind you that, my deadline aside, once any of your chosen picks is "live," that's it -- no backsies.  

"Soooo I should wait until we know who's in the LDSes." Not to influence you unduly, but: probably. We've had I think one wild-card-team bet in the life of this thing. The deadline is when it is for a reason.       

"How am I supposed to keep track of all these stats?"  You aren't; I do that. Do feel free to check my work, though. (Especially after 2016, when Sarah was the worst at add.)

"What if everybody's out by the World Series?" This is historically unlikely, but should it occur, everyone will receive one (1) amnesty pick, with previous points carrying. If that's unclear, LMK, but let's jump off that bridge if we get to it.

"Can I forward this to my friend/loved one/co-worker?"  Sure! If s/he's got the ten bucks, s/he's welcome to play. 

"Who won last year?"  "Don't Mess With The" Yuhan is your incumbent. Look out, now.

HOW TO ENTER

Give me $10 and your picks by THURSDAY OCTOBER 4 at 12 PM ET.  bunting@tomatonation.com is my PayPal; sarahdbunting is my Venmo. 10/4 at noon is the deadline and is not negotiable. If we are related by blood or marriage, you may hand me a sawbuck. Everyone else can use PayPal or some other electronic means. 

You must pay to enter; you are not entered until you get an email from me saying so; you may not enter late. $10 by 10/4 at NOON ET.

When you send your pool money, I will send you an email confirming your picks and receipt of the money. I'll also post the points breakdown on the blog on a daily basis (or as close as possible to that); once again, that's here: http://buntingspostseasonpool.blogspot.com/.

Have fun! Questions/edits/human frailties, email me.

Sarah