02 Oct 2013 Twitter MLB Playoffs
October is here, which means it’s playoff time for America’s favorite pastime: Major League Baseball. The division champions have been crowned and the Wild Card teams are hoping for the chance to pull the big upset and prove that they deserve to play in the postseason. Teams are usually picked to win based on stats, win-loss record, and home field advantage. But what if that didn’t matter? What if each playoff series was decided by Twitter? In March, we crowned the NCAA Basketball Champion based on Twitter. Here’s what happens when we use the same formula for the 2013 Twitter MLB Playoffs to decide the World Series Champions.
Methodology: Tweet for the Fences
Teams advanced based on scoring a higher number in at least 2/3 of the following categories:
1. Total followers as of Monday, September 30, 2013
2. Percent growth over the 2013 Major League Baseball regular season (Sunday, March 31, 2013 until Monday, September 30, 2013)
3. Klout scores
The Bracket
The Dodgers winning based on Twitter? They can probably thank Hollywood, ESPN, and a midsummer hot streak for this one. Whatever the reason, if ballplayers believe superstitions can help win games, maybe we can believe Twitter presence can too. What do you think of the results? Who is your pick for this year’s World Series? Let us know in the comments below!
