Misnumbered

Our friends at Baseball Prospectus are at it again with their annual PECOTA projections, pegging the White Sox for third place in the AL Central with 83.1 wins, behind the Twins (90.6) and Indians (85.7). Consider what this means for a moment. Somebody has come up with a formula that reduces the Sox winning percentage from a .583 last year down to .513 this season. In other words, an infield of Miguel Sano (1st); Jorge Polanco (2nd); Andrelton Simmons (ss); Josh Donaldson (3rd); and Mitch Garver (catcher) will ride roughshod over the lies of Jose Abreu (1st); Nick Madrigal (2nd); Tim Anderson (ss); Yoan Moncada (3rd); and Yasmani Grandal (catcher). Let the arguing commence. Oh, and let’s not forget the outfield. PECOTA-wise, Jake Cave (left), Bryon Buxton (center) and Max Kepler (right) over Eloy Jimenez (left), Luis Robert (center) and Adam Eaton/Adam Engel (right). Gosh, I wonder if Twins’ fans would trade their three for our four. If not, it may say something about them. As for dh, well, I’m admittedly a homer. I’d rather see what 22-year old Andrew Vaughn can do than throw money at Nelson Cruz, going on 41. It just makes me wonder how subjective the number-crunchers are. No, I take that back, this kind of projection convinces me they play favorites. I mean, the “our cupboard is bare” Cubs are projected to win 85.1 games. Really? Without benefit of a time machine or reincarnation? Well, the proof’s in the pudding. We’ll see come October.