2011 MLB Season Predictions

 

Below are my predictions for the 2011 season.  Let's get it started...

AL East

Boston - 97-65

NYY - 93-69*

Toronto - 88-74

Tampa - 81-81

Baltimore - 70-92

AL Central

Chicago - 94-68

Detroit - 90-72

Minnesota - 88-74

Kansas City - 75-87

Cleveland - 67-95

AL West

Texas - 88-74

Oakland - 85-77

Anaheim - 82-80

Seattle - 64-98

AL MVP:  Adam Dunn

AL Cy Young:  Felix Hernandez

AL ROY:  Jeremy Hellickson

NL East

Atlanta - 95-67

Philadelphia - 94-68*

NY Mets - 82-80

Washington - 80-82

Florida - 77-85

NL Central

Cincinnati - 95-67

Milwaukee - 90-72

St Louis - 85-77

Chicago - 78-84

Houston - 71-91

Pittsburgh - 60-102

NL West

Colorado - 90-72

San Francisco - 88-74

Los Angeles - 85-77

San Diego - 84-78

Arizona - 74-88

NL MVP: Albert Pujols

NL Cy Young: Ubaldo Jiminez

NL Roy: Freddie Freeman

*Wild Card 

***Bonus Predictions***

No Hitters: One

First Manager Fired:  Jim Riggleman(Nationals)

I'm not going to do playoff predictions this early.  Some major storylines this year will be the Red Sox over-taking the division after some key acquisitions and boasting the best top to bottom pitching in the league.  The White Sox have secured the best on-paper team in the AL Central, but will they remain healthy enough?  Chris Sale and Matt Thornton should be able to hold down wins this year.  All In will be All Win.  The Rays will fall back a ways, but will see the rise of some new young pitching to round out their staff; most notably Jeremy Hellickson, who will be a future star.  The A's will finish ahead of Anaheim, with their young talent and nice pitching taking them closer to having a competitive team; Texas will hold off their divisional opponents again.

Albert Pujols is in a contract year.  We know that players have had some of the best seasons of their careers in contract years, and the best player in MLB should have an amazing season.  Freddie Freeman highlights a good young Atlanta team that will stun the NL by winning the East.  Philadelphia will have a good year and I know that pitching staff is supposed to be the best ever in MLB history, but it will falter only because the batters won't be there to back them every game.  I have Ubaldo Jiminez leading the Rockies back to the post season, this will really be the year he doesn't choke out at the end.  With Adam Wainwright out and Jamie Garcia not repeating his previous success, the Cardinals will slip to third behind the Brewers; Reds will repeat as Central champs.

So there you have it, my predictions.  Disagree if you like; I would be interested to read other people's predictions.  Hope we have a great season.