PECOTA (Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm) refers to Baseball Prospectus' proprietary predictive model. Last year at this time, it projected San Francisco to win 75 games, and gave the Giants a 0% chance to win the division. And so...
* Giants played .600 or better every month of the season.
* Won more games than any other team that finished under .500 the prior season.
* Best OPS in National League, broke record for pinch hit home runs and set new franchise record with 241 overall home runs.
* On the pitching side, none of SF's three championships had a starting rotation with an ERA over 4.00. But last year's starters -- at 3.44 ERA -- had a better combined ERA than any of the WSC years.
This year, PECOTA has learned its lesson and predicts that the Giants will win...78 games. I don't recall my prediction last season, but I'll say 93 games this season.
* Giants played .600 or better every month of the season.
* Won more games than any other team that finished under .500 the prior season.
* Best OPS in National League, broke record for pinch hit home runs and set new franchise record with 241 overall home runs.
* On the pitching side, none of SF's three championships had a starting rotation with an ERA over 4.00. But last year's starters -- at 3.44 ERA -- had a better combined ERA than any of the WSC years.
This year, PECOTA has learned its lesson and predicts that the Giants will win...78 games. I don't recall my prediction last season, but I'll say 93 games this season.
Audaces fortuna iuvat