My 2011 MLB Predictions

AL East
1. Red Sox
2. Yankees
3. Rays
4. Orioles
5. Blue Jays

AL Central
1. White Sox
2. Twins
3. Tigers
4. Indians
5. Royals

AL West
1. Rangers
2. A’s
3. Angels
4. Mariners

AL Wildcard
1. Twins
2. Yankees
3. A’s
4. Tigers

NL East
1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Marlins
4. Mets
5. Nationals

NL Central
1. Reds
2. Cardinals
3. Cubs
4. Brewers
5. Astros
6. Pirates

NL West
1. Rockies
2. Giants
3. Dodgers
4. Padres
5. Diamondbacks

NL Wildcard
1. Giants
2. Cardinals
3. Braves
4. Cubs

Key Points:

AL East: Obviously, the Red Sox and Yankees dominate the division because of their endless cash flow, but Buck Showalter will improve his Orioles throughout the entire season, just like he did immediately after succeeding Juan Samuel last season. Once the O’s establish a pitching staff in years to come, watch out for them to contend for the wildcard.

AL Central: The White Sox, 100 percent healthy, have the best all-around team on paper in the division. And that is coming from a lifelong Cubs fan. But watch out for Ron Gardenhire’s Twinkies as they continue to have, arguably, the best return-on-investment in the MLB year after year.

AL West: Even though defense wins championships, it’s hard for me to pick against the Rangers’ lethal offense to lead them to a pennant, however, don’t sleep on the A’s. They have the chance to give Texas a run for their money.

NL East: Yes, the Phillies lost Jayson Werth to the Nationals, and Chase Utley is likely to begin the season on the DL, but their offense is still as productive as any other team in their division. Not to mention their acquisition of Cliff Lee to improve what is already a starting rotation full of aces (Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels). THE best starting rotation in the MLB.

NL Central: As a lifelong Cubs fan, I can’t help but be optimistic, however, over the years I’ve become more realistic. If certain Cubs players can earn their enormous paycheck and, for the most part, stay healthy, the Cubs have a chance to contend for the division. Hopefully Mike Quade can find a way to play Tyler Colvin nearly everyday. But, with Wainwright out for the season and Pujols’ future in St. Louis up in the air, the Reds are going to win the pennant, and the Cardinals are going to miss out on the playoffs. This will result in Albert Pujols signing with the Cubs in 2012. See, there’s my optimism.

NL West: The Rockies have a young, fun team to watch. They are a team full of ballplayers and guys that want to win. They will take the division, and the defending World Series champion Giants will nab the Wildcard.

World Series Prediction:
Philly over Boston. Like I said, defense wins championships. The Phillies’ staff is too much to handle, containing three of the top 15 starters in the MLB.