2011 MLB Predictions

We have a week to dissect every angle of this coming weekend's historic Final Four, but in the meantime we are just 3 days away from the start of the baseball season. If you are anything like me, you will agree that it is far too early to be thinking about baseball. Baseball doesn't take a front seat until the NBA Finals conclude. Then it quickly takes a back seat to football until the World Series puts it back in the forefront for a week or so. Nonetheless, it is still one of this country's major sports. As the sports fanatic that I am, I feel compelled to give you my predictions for the upcoming Major League Baseball season. Play ball!

AL East
Boston 100-62
NY Yankees 96-66
Tampa Bay 87-75
Toronto 84-78
Baltimore 67-95

The truth of the matter is that the AL's three best teams could reside in the East. Unfortunately only two of them can make the playoffs. Boston made some huge signings with Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford ready to make an immediate impact on their lineup, and still have solid pitching. The Yankees' pitching staff is a concern, but their lineup remains one of baseball's most dangerous. Tampa Bay should take step back, although they could make some noise if their young pitching staff matures quickly. Toronto has a loaded lineup, but will stay in the back of the pack. Buck Showalter got Baltimore playing some pretty good ball last year, but they won't be able to sustain it for an entire year. In the end, Boston claims the AL East crown while the Yankees earn the Wild Card.

AL Central
Minnesota 88-74
Chicago Sox 86-76
Detroit 85-77
Cleveland 73-89
Kansas City 63-99

The Central should be a three team race. Minnesota, Chicago, and Detroit are all capable of winning the division. Cleveland and Kansas City have some young talent, but won't be able to compete this year. Minnesota is my pick simply because I couldn't choose between the three teams at the top, but the Twins always seem to rise from the crop. They have some injury issues that must be addressed, but if they can get a healthy Justin Morneau I like their chances. The Sox may be the most talented team, but I suspect that they will underwhelm at some point in the season that will cost them. Detroit must overcome the off field distraction of Miguel Cabrera and hope that he has another MVP-caliber year amidst his personal issues.

AL West
Texas 87-75
Oakland 83-79
LA Angles 80-82
Seattle 67-95

Texas will repeat as AL West champs. They will certainly miss the dominance of Cliff Lee, but their young arms gained a ton of experience last year and they still have the most potent lineup the West has to offer. Oakland will make a run at the Rangers, but I think they are still a year away from Playoff baseball. The Angels could not land any of the big time free agents and will hover around .500 for the second consecutive year. Seattle does not have the roster to compete this year.

AL Batting Champ - Robinson Cano
AL Home Run Champ - Paul Konerko
AL RBI Champ - Alex Rodriguez
AL Wins Leader - Jon Lester
AL ERA Leader - Felix Hernandez
AL Saves Leader - Neftali Feliz

AL MVP - Joe Mauer
AL Cy Young - Jon Lester

NL East
Philadelphia 97-65
Atlanta 89-73
Florida 81-81
NY Mets 76-86
Washington 68-94

The Phillies pitching staff should be absolutely dominant. They have two Cy Young award winners, a World Series MVP, and a perennial All-Star in their rotation. Their lineup is among the league's best as well. Atlanta appeared in the postseason ahead of schedule in 2010 and should be right in the mix again. Florida is hoping to become this year's Atlanta and show up in the Playoffs slightly ahead of schedule. The Mets will continue their dysfunctional ways and finish below .500. Washington shouldn't expect too much of a splash until Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper can compete regularly at the Major League level.

NL Central
St. Louis 87-75
Milwaukee 85-77
Cincinnati 83-79
Chicago Cubs 78-84
Houston 73-89
Pittsburgh 63-99

Losing Adam Wainwright was a major blow to the Cardinals. Tony LaRussa has been doing this a long time though, and he will get the most of this team. Albert Pujols will put the contract talks behind him and show why he is baseball's best player while leading St. Louis back to the playoffs. Milwaukee's acquisition of Zack Greinke will allow them to stay neck and neck with the Cards. Cincinnati will look to show they weren't a one season wonder. The Cubs change in coaches will not change the history of underachieving. The Astros played well down the stretch last year but they won't be able to sustain it. And bringing up the rear will be the Pittsburgh Pirates as they continue their record setting futility with another sub-.500 year.

AL West
San Francisco 93-69
Colorado 90-72
Los Angeles 85-77
San Diego 76-86
Arizona 67-95

The defending champs will be back in October to defend their crown. This pitching staff is too much for anyone in this division to overcome. Colorado will get over the hump and represent the NL as the Wild Card. Carlos Gonzalez will continue his rise to stardom. LA has the talent to play in the postseason, but there are plenty of distractions within the Dodgers' ownership that will take some of the focus off of baseball. San Diego overachieved more than any other team last year. Don;t expect the same this year with the loss of Adrian Gonzalez. Arizona will come in last for the third year in a row.

NL Batting Champ - Troy Tulowitzki
NL Home Run Champ - Albert Pujols
NL RBI Champ - Ryan Howard
NL Wins Leader - Roy Halladay
NL ERA Leader - Zack Greinke
NL Saves Leader - Brian Wilson

NL MVP - Carlos Gonzalez
NL Cy Young - Zack Greinke

AL Wild Cards
Boston over Texas
NY Yankees over Minnesota

NL Wild Cards
Philadelphia over Colorado
San Francisco over St. Louis

ALCS
Boston over NY Yankees

NLCS
Philadelphia over San Francisco

World Series
Boston over Philadelphia

The Red Sox win their third World Series title since 2004. The additions of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford pay off as they party in Beantown!