This contest idea is borrowed from Beyond the Boxscore (which got the idea from Pro-Football-Reference). Here are the rules, also via BtB and adjusted for our contest:
Below you will find 16 pairs of numbers. In each case, you tell me which number will be bigger in the 2009 season. One point for each correct answer. Most points wins.
Ties go to the side that had fewer votes. For example, here is a pair of numbers:
Wins by the Yankees
Wins by the Red SoxLet's say 41 people take the Yankees and 54 take the Red Sox. If the Yankees and Red Sox end up with the same number of wins, then each Yankee-backer will get a point and each Red Sox-backer will not.
There's also a fun tiebreaker question at the bottom, just in case. We won't know the results until the season is over, and there is a to be determined prize for the winner. To enter, copy the pairs into a text editor (i.e. Microsoft Word), delete the choice you're not picking, and paste the ballot into a comment. Ballots are due Wednesday at midnight. Take 5 minutes to do this, and maybe in 7 months you'll be awarded a book or bobblehead or something.
The pairs:
Walks by Oliver Perez
Strikeouts by Livan Hernandez
David Wright's OBP
Luis Castillo's OBP + 30 points
Plate appearances by Gary Sheffield
Plate appearances by Fernando Tatis
Innings pitched by J.J. Putz
Innings pitched by Francisco Rodriguez
Jose Reyes's UZR + 5
Jimmy Rollins's UZR
Postseason wins by the Mets
Postseason wins by the Phillies
Stolen bases by David Wright
Caught stealings by Jose Reyes
Innings pitched by Mike Pelfrey
Innings pitched by John Maine + 30
Brian Stokes's ERA
Darren O'Day's ERA
Home runs by Daniel Murphy
Home runs by Jose Reyes
Cy Young Award votes for Johan Santana
Cy Young Award votes for Cole Hamels
Carlos Beltran's UZR
Endy Chavez's UZR
Starts by Oliver Perez lasting at least 7 innings
Starts by Oliver Perez lasting less than 4 innings
Joe Smith's FIP
Sean Green's FIP
Home runs allowed by Aaron Heilman
Wild pitches by Johan Santana
Major league plate appearances by Fernando Martinez
Home runs allowed by Brad Lidge
Tiebreaker: What will the average mph be for Franciso Rodriguez's fastball (according to Fangraphs)?