2011 Baseball Predictions

It was only a matter of time before I posted my predictions for the upcoming season.  A good chunk of these will be wrong, but who cares.  Go ahead and give me your best shot in the comments.

NL East
Phillies
Braves
Mets
Marlins
Nationals

Most teams would kill to have Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels as their one/two punch.  The Phillies have somehow managed to have them as as their third and fourth starters behind two guys named Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee.  Unfortunately, I see this division being pretty close.  The Braves will be nipping at their heels all season long.  Normally I would pick the Marlins to finish above the Mets, but I have a good feeling.  The Nationals will most likely suck and fans are going to love Jayson Werth down there.

IDP:  Mike Stanton hits more than 40 HRs this season.  I think he will move into that elite power-hitter realm this year.  In fact, I think he will be pretty awesome this year.

NL Central
Pirates
Astros
Cubs
Cardinals
Brewers
Reds

Sorry, I have that upside down.  Allow me to fix that.
Reds
Brewers
Cardinals
Cubs
Astros
Pirates

I just do not see the Reds getting worse from last year unless there are some major injuries.  If they put Chapman into the rotation, they are solid, if they leave him in the bullpen, they are solid.  The Cardinals are going to be hurting without Carpenter Wainwright.  The Pirates should not be as bad as last year.  At least that is what I half expect.  I also expect them to maybe lose 120 games.

IDP:  The Pirates will beat the following starters:  Greinke, Halladay, Lee, and Lincecum.  They will also be shut-out by the following starters:  Jordan Zimmerman, Homer Bailey, Dillon Gee, and Kyle Lohse.

NL West
Giants
Rockies
Dodgers
Padres
Diamondbacks

Look what happens when a team with great pitching suddenly starts hitting.  The Giants were such a great story last year.  I look for Posey to continue to be good, but I guarantee that people will be disappointed with drafting him in the second round (I keep seeing him go there in mock drafts...)  The Padres are going to fall back to earth, just like they did the second half of the season.  Hell, they may even finish below the D-Backs.  The Rockies and Dodgers are a toss up, I just think if the Rockies are healthy and decide to play for a full season, they are a better team.

IDP:  Mat Latos will get hurt during the season.  Either that, or he will win 20 games.

NL Wildcard:  Braves
NLDS:  Phillies defeat Giants, Braves defeat Reds
NLCS:  Phillies defeat Braves
NL MVP:  Troy Tulowitzki.  I envision a big season from Troy.  .320 AVG/35 HR. 
NL CY Young:  Adam Wainwright.  I think he has another great season, but not the best of the NL.  He wins the award because of his previous great seasons, if you get my drift.  Apparently I am an idiot.  I take Ubaldo Jimenez.
NL ROY:  Aroldis Chapman.  I think he is still eligible.  If he is a starter, I think he wins 15 games and is actually in the Cy Young conversation.  My secondary pick is Freddie Freeman from Atlanta.
Pirates Record:  70-92.  Not the worst team in baseball...maybe.

AL East
Yankees
Red Sox
Rays
Blue Jays
Orioles

I know everyone is putting the Red Sox in first place, but I do not think you just dismiss the Yankees.  The Rays are young and still talented.  The Blue Jays are not going to hit 257 HRs this season, but the should also have a better batting average.

IDP:  Posada gets hurt early on and they bring up Jesus Montero.  He crushes the ball and people forget all about Jorge.

AL Central
Twins
White Sox
Tigers
Royals
Indians

Bold pick taking the Royals to finish above the Indians, but hey, I am a bold individual.  As usual this will be a tight division.  I just do not understand how so many people are so high on the White Sox.  I realize that Adam Dunn will make them better, but is it enough to win this division?  I doubt it.

IDP:  Grady Sizemore gets hurt yet again.  I know, pretty insane.  He then retires and considers doing softcore porn.

AL West
Rangers
A's
Angels
Mariners

Even without Cliff Lee, the Rangers are still the best team in this division.  The A's have great pitching, but no hitting.  The Mariners are still bad.  I do not think Dustin Ackley will save them.

IDP:  Jack Wilson gets traded to someone.  At least he hopes.

AL Wildcard:  White Sox  (I believe that the AL East teams will post winning records, but because of the number of times they play each other, none of them will have more than 90 wins).
ALDS:  Rangers defeat White Sox, Yankees defeat Twins
ALCS:  Yankees defeat Rangers
World Series:  Yankees defeat Phillies.  Fortunately after winning, Jeter/Posada/Rivera all retire as champions.  I can dream, right?
AL MVP:  Kevin Youkilis
AL Cy Young:  David Price
AL ROY:  Jesus Montero, but my secondary pick is Mike Moustakas from the Royals.
Royals Record:  71-91