MLB’s Oscar Ace Goes for Prediction Perfection in 2015

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher John Axford (59) throws during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park Tuesday, July 2, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

By Chris Greenberg

February 22, 2015

1 minute to read

It’s time for the Oscars. That can only mean one thing: Bring in the righty.

While all eyes are understandably on Hollywood when the Academy Awards roll around each year, anyone aiming to win their local Oscar picks pool should turn their attention to John Axford, a Major League pitcher from Canada. The right-handed reliever with a BA in film from Notre Dame has distinguished himself as perhaps Oscar night’s most unlikely prognosticator thanks to his impressively accurate picks in 2013 and 2014.

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In 2015, Axford shared his choices for 24 categories in a blog post at The Players’ Tribune. Eariler this month, he agreed to a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies after stints with the Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates.

“Hello. I’m John Axford, a Major League Baseball pitcher who happens to watch a ton of films when I’m not chasing my toddlers around the house attempting to feed them, or cultivating my award-winning mustache,’’ the 31-year-old wrote as a guest contributor to the site. “Last year, I went 18-for-18 picking the Oscars on Twitter. Most people were really happy for me, but a vocal minority called me out for not picking all 24.’’

From awards in sound editing and visual effects to the acting and writing categories, Axford covers all his bases in 2015. Go check out Axford’s complete predictions at The Players’ Tribune and then follow @JohnAxford during the Oscars.

SPOILER ALERT: Axford believes a film that features outfielder-turned-pitcher Jason Lane hitting a home run will snag Best Picture.