MLB 2011 Predictions

American League 
East:
Boston- 100-62
New York- 96-66
Baltimore- 86-78
Tampa Bay- 79-83
Toronto- 70-92

Central:
Chicago- 94-68
Minnesota- 91-71
Detroit- 81-81
Cleveland- 67-95
Kansas City- 62-100

West:
Texas- 94-68
Los Angeles- 81-81
Oakland- 80-82
Seattle- 60-102

AL MVP- Adrian Gonzo- Boston
AL Cy Young- King Felix- Seattle
Rookie of the year- Desmond Jennings- Tampa Bay
Manager of the year- Buck Showalter- Baltimore

National League 
East:
Philadelphia- 101-61
Atlanta- 97-65
New York- 81-81
Washington- 79-83
Florida- 69-93

Central:
St. Louis- 91-71
Cincinnati- 90-72
Chicago- 83-79
Milwaukee- 77-85
Pittsburgh- 62-100
Houston- 57-105

West:
Colorado- 94-68
San Francisco- 93-69
Los Angeles- 77-85
San Diego- 76-86
Arizona- 62-100

NL MVP- Carlos Gonzo- Colorado
NL Cy Young- Roy Halladay- Philadelphia
Rookie of the year- Dominic Brown-  Philadelphia
Manager of the year- Mike Quade- Chicago

Playoff Predictions 
ALDS- Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers
The Rangers no longer have Cliff Lee or Vlad. The Red Sox added Adrian Gonzo and Carl Crawford. Rangers pitchers can't deal with the power and speed the Sox now possess on the base path. This should be and easy series for the Sox. Sorry Rangers fans, Josh Hamilton can't do it all on his own. Bring on the Yanks!
Prediction: Red Sox 3-0


New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox
The big question here is how the Yankees will deal with a new AL Central foe? The Yanks no longer have the services of arguably one of the best post-season pitchers of all time in Andy Pettitte. More importantly the pin stripes have never beaten an AL Central team not named Minnesota in the division series. They say there is a first time for everything!
Prediction: Yanks 3-1


NLDS- Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals
The hype surrounding the Phillies rotation this year is well deserved, drawing comparisons to the Atlanta Braves staff of the early 90's. The Phillies 2010 "Big 3," (Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels) ended on a high note. They combined for 13-1 record in the seasons final month and all posted sub-1.83 ERAs. Oh yeah I forgot to mention they added Cliff Lee to that staff. Sorry St. Louis, better luck next year.
Prediction: Phillies 3-0


Colorado Rockies vs. Atlanta Braves
I really like Atlanta Braves in 2011 just not in this series. I don't think Tim Hudson can duplicate last year stats, posting his first sub-3.00 ERA since 2003. Tommy Hanson scares me sometimes (Both good and bad). And if Troy Tulowitski and Carlos Gonzo stay healthy together this lineup can be very scary. Gonzo had a breakout year batting .336 with 34 homers and 26 steals. Tulo was arguably the best hitter in baseball in September belting 15 home runs and 40 RBI's. If they get hot watch out Braves fans!
Prediction: Rockies 3-1


ALCS:
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
This is by far the best rivalry in baseball. The Red Sox have never had a lineup like this in the playoffs so I expect them to be running like crazy. Question is, can Jorge and Russell Martin throw anyone out? I don't think so. Ultimately this series will come down to pitching and I give the Red Sox a slight edge there. Tough series to call but when these two match up in October its always timely hitting and pitching. How cliche does that sound? Ha!
Prediction: Red Sox 4-3


NLCS:
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies
This has the potential to be quite the firecracker. The Phillies rotation against two of the games best young stars (Tulo,Gonzo). I love the fight in the Rockies but if the Phillies can hit the baseball they should win easily. The Rockies just don't have enough fire power to match up with this jaw dropping pitching staff.
Prediction: Phillies 4-1


World Series:
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Boston Red Sox
Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are just flat out better than anyone on Boston's staff.  Having said that, facing just a so-so San Francisco lineup in Game 1, Cliff Lee gave up 7 runs (6 earned) and didn't last 5 innings. They lost that game 11-7. In Game 5, Lee got the call again but surrendered a three-run homer to Edgar Renteria and they lost the game and the series 4-1...(Ouch Charlie!) As dominate as Lee has been, he will be facing a much better Red Sox lineup. This has the potential to be one heck of a series. If the Phillies bats are anything like they were in last years World Series the Red Sox can and will dominate.
Prediction: Red Sox 4-3 


Boston Red Sox 2011 World Series Champs!