This date selection appears entirely arbitrary and whether intentional or otherwise, has the effect of giving the average OFF score at its lowest. There is no justification for anointing these samples (that just happen the have the three lowest OFF scores) as “true baseline.”

Anoint -

b : to choose by or as if by divine election

anoint him as his successor

; also : to designate as if by a ritual anointment

Critics have anointed her as an important new literary figure.

Нет никакого оправдания тому, что рука провидения выбрала именно эти образцы в качестве ...

Или это опечатка и должно быть appoint?