2011 MLB Predictions

Opening day is just a little over month a way. It is a great day where every team has a "chance" and every fan base believes it could be their year. As Phillies Phans, we might be about to witness the greatest team in the franchises long history. As phans of this great team, we have to sit back and appreciate that we are in the greatest era of Phillies baseball. I expect the Phillies to be just as good if not a little better than advertised. Here are my predictions for the 20011 season. 

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East Champion: Red Sox

I think Boston is the clear favorite in the AL East, I think they are being slightly overrated in the national media, but they are a very good team. The Yankees still have one of the best lineups in the game with a good but not great rotation. They will need continued progression from Hughes and Burnett to have a bounce back year. They are not as good as Boston but still one of the better teams in baseball. The Rays lost a lot via FA but they still have of the best rotations in baseball. Both Baltimore and Toronto have solid teams, I think they would be .500 teams in other divisions. But someone has to lose when they play each other. 

 Central Champion: White Sox

I think that Chicago and Minnesota are very close talent wise. The addition of Adam Dunn will have a huge impact for Chicago. The battle for the division will go to a one game playoff, which I think the White Sox will win. I like the White Sox rotation a little better and if Jake Peavey can be anything close to what he was in SD, they can be very good. Detroit is a solid team but Miguel Cabrera's situation scares me, you can’t be successful when your best player has the issues he does. KC and Cleveland are both years away from contending. 

 West Champion: Rangers

Despite the Loss of Cliff Lee, the Rangers are still the best team in the West. They have added Beltre to an already potent lineup. The Angles have the potential for a very good rotation but I don’t think their offense can compete with Texas. Oakland has one of the best pens in baseball and a good young rotation. They are a sleeper in the AL but I don’t think they are as good as Texas or LA.  It will be another year of no run support for King Felix. They have some good young players but are not a very good team. 

Wild Card: Yankees

Awards

MVP: Robinson Cano
Cy Young:  David Price
ROY: Jeremy Hellickson
Manager of the Year: Ozzie Guillen

East Champion: Phillies

My prediction for wins for the Phillies is 103.  My only concern is the lack of a RH bat batting behind Howard. I am encouraged at the start that Francisco has had and I think he will have a good year. The rotation that we now call “High Phive” will be historic. I think they will be as good as advertised with Hamels pushing Doc for the Cy Young. Rollins and Ibanez have reportedly had a different and better commitment to their offseason workouts. This team won 97 last season, with Hamels and Blanton having a bad first half, not having Oswalt for half the year and Lee for the entire year. They also experienced injuries to almost everyone; I see at least them wining at least 6 more games. 

Josh Johnson is one of the most underrated pitchers in the game and the Fish have a very good rotation. Hanley is surrounded by a lot of young talent in Morrison and Stanton.  I think the Braves will have a good year but I felt they played over their head for much of last year. McCann’s past eye problems and Chippers knee concern me but regardless of the offense they have a very capable starting rotation. The Mets are just a mess, Johan will miss much of the year and he may never be the same. I could see a good start but manager Terry Collin’s fiery style will quickly annoy the egos on the team. Sorry Jayson the Nats are still a few years away. 

Central Champion: Brewers

The injury to Wainright will take the Cards from possible contenders to possibly sellers at the deadline. I see the Brewers sweeping in at the opportunity to take the division. Grienke, Gallardo and Marcum along with a lineup with Fielder, Braun and Hart should spring the Brewers to the NL Central Crown.  The Reds have a very young team and were the surprise team last year. I think they played slightly above their talent and will come back to earth. Their rotation is not nearly as good as the Brewers and their lineup is not that much better.  The Cubs could be a sleeper if Garza adjusts well to the NL. The Stro’s have some young talent and the Pirates are the Pirates. 

West Champioln: Rockies

Yes, I have the defending World Series Champs missing the playoffs. Including the playoffs, Linceum, Cain and Sanchez all pitched a career high in innings and pitched longer than they usually do. I would expect Sanchez to not have the year he did last year. Plus the Rockies have a very good lineup with Ubaldo as their ace. LA should be better with most of the messy struggle for ownership over. SD played above their talent and lost their best player. 

Wild Card: Marlins

Awards

MVP: Ryan Braun
Cy Young: Roy Halladay
ROY: Adroldis Chapman
Manager of the Year: Ron Roenicke (Brewers)

Posteason Predictions

Divisional
AL
 Red Sox defeat White Sox in 4
 Rangers defeat Yankees in 5
NL
Phillies Defeat Rockies in 3
Brewers Defeat Marlins in 5
ALCS
Red Sox Defeat Rangers in 5
NLCS
Phillies Defeat Brewers in 5
World Series
PHILLIES DEFEAT RED SOX IN 6!
 World Series MVP: Roy Halladay

Scott Glick
BrotherlyLoveNation.com Writer