It’s Time for John Axford’s Annual Oscar Picks

Last year, John Axford shocked the world when he went a perfect 18-for-18 with his Academy Awards picks, but, because the internet is what it is, people got all up in arms because the newly inked Colorado Rockies reliever didn’t go full-Oscar and predict winners for all 24 categories.

Welp, Axford is at it again. And this time, he included everything.

But get this, the reliever didn’t reveal his picks one by one via Twitter, hhe used Derek Jeter’s new blogging venture as his platform so he could put his Film and Television degree to work and explain to you why he thinks who he thinks is going to win will, um…win.

Here goes.

Writing — Original Screenplay: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Writing — Adapted Screenplay: The Imitation Game

Visual Effects: Interstellar

Sound Mixing: American Sniper

Sound Editing: American Sniper

Short Film — Live Action: The Phone Call

Short Film — Animated: Feast

Production Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Music — Original Song: “Glory”

Music — Original Score: The Theory of Everything

Makeup and Hairstyling: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Foreign Language Film: Ida

Film Editing: Boyhood

Documentary — Short subject: Crisis Hotline

Documentary — Feature: CitizenFour

Directing: Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Costume Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Cinematography: Birdman

Animated Feature Film: How to Train Your Dragon 2

Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette
Patricia Arquette is going to run away with it. She did such a phenomenal job maintaining her character in Boyhood — showing the growth of that woman over time. So many genuine “mom” moments from her. Being a parent, I was wondering the whole time, Is this how quickly it really goes?

Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons
J.K. Simmons will run away with it pretty easily for Whiplash.

Lead Actress: Julianne Moore
Reese Witherspoon was raw and great in Wild but I think Julianne Moore is the clear winner here for her performance in Still Alice.

Lead Actor: Michael Keaton
I really want him to win so I might be biased. If you look at the way the category winner has gone in the past 10 years, the SAG winners for Lead Actor usually win the Oscar, too. Eddie Redmayne won the SAG award. I’m going out on a limb here.

Best Picture: Boyhood
I’m going with Boyhood though I wouldn’t be upset if Birdman wins. Boyhood and Birdman were 1A and 1B for me. I think they’ll split the difference on Director / Lead Actor / Best Picture. If Michael Keaton wins best actor and Alejandro G. Iñárritu wins Best Director, Boyhood is taking home best picture. If I’m wrong and Linklater gets best director, Birdman wins Best Picture.

In case you were wondering, Axford has been predicting the Academy Award winners for the last few years. In 2011, he correctly named 11 of 13 winners.  The next year, he followed it up with 11 of 15.  In 2013, the righty stepped up his game by projecting 14 of 15 Academy Award winners.

So, how did “The Ax Man” do this year? Or, better question, how has he not won an award for this?!?