MLB Predictions for 2011 Season
These are just my top picks for each division, as I worked out on my show, “Eat My Sports”, Wedbesday March 2. The clip can be seen on CCMN.TK by going to the archive of shows.
But without further adeu, here we have it!
Starting with the junior circuit, the American League, out West:
1. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Fresh off a season where the Angels failed to make the playoffs for the first time since (when?), the Angels added Vernon Wells (TOR) to a lineup already consisting Kendry Morales, who was injured for most of last season, and Torii Hunter, who carried the Angels all he could. But it will be whether the rest of the Angels, including Brandon Wood, Jeff Mathis and the rest of the lineup that manager Mike Scosia will put together as Spring Training trudges along. Don’t overlook the Angels pitching staff, led by Jered Weaver, who is coming off a 13-12 season where he posted a 3.01 ERA, Dan Haren, Joel Piniero, Scott Kazimir and a bullpen boasting Francisco Rodney at the back end.
2 Texas Rangers - The Rangers lost Cliff Lee in the sweepstakes over the summer, but found a way to improve its offense amidst not bringing back Vladimir Guerrero. But the Rangers picked up Adrian Beltre and are currently holding onto Michael Young, utilizing him in the DH spot with Elvis Andrus holding down the shortstop position, Ian Kinsler at short and the addition of Mike Napoli, who could play first, DH, or catch for Ron Washington’s squad. The Rangers are hoping acquisition Brandon Webb (AZ) will return to his Cy Young form and fill in nicely for Cliff Lee, rounding out a rotation with C.J Wilson, Tommy Hunter and Colby Lewis before Washington calls on 2010 Rookie of the Year Neftali Feliz to close things down. But you cannot forget the powerful Nelson Cruz or the reigning AL MVP in Josh Hamilton.
3. Oakland Athletics - The A’s have a farm system that constantly produces great players, but they organization has proven over the years that they are unable to keep those players, such as Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Matt Holliday and many others. But the A’s have reloaded for 2011, bringing in closer Brian Fuentes from the Angels, bringing Rich Harden back to the front of the rotation, and not to forget Dallas Braden, who pitched a perfect game on Mother’s Day, 2010, can either have a great season, or be mediocre with a great moment. The A’s bring back catcher Kurt Suzuki, hoping he builds off of last season, where he hit .242, a career low after averaging .276 the prior two years. While Suzuki doesn’t have the power most teams like behind the plate, they bring back Kevin Kouzmannoff at third, but the outfield is really where the A’s did their damage this offseason. They brought in David Dejesus (KC), Josh Willingham (WAS), Conor Jackson (AZ), and a returning Coco Crisp, who played in 79 games last season. Hoping they can get production from the DH spot will be a problem, as they picked up another former Angel in Hideki Matsui.
Central
1. Chicago White Sox - If there is a pitching staff to fear in the AL, it comes from the South Side of Chicago, with Jake Peavy, Mark Buerhle, Gavin Floyd, Edwin Jackson and John Danks. Peavy has started 33 games over the past two years, splitting time between Chicago and San Diego during injury plagued seasons, but this rotation, from top to bottom, is one of the best assembled in 2011. The White Sox lost lockdown closer Bobby Jenks to Boston, but Ozzie Guillen is searching for a reliever to step into that role and finish games. The biggest offseason addition for the Sox was Adam Dunn, who will provide protection for Paul Konerko, Alex Rios, Carlos Quentin after the speedy Juan Pierre sets the table for what is a fearsome lineup.
2. Minnesota Twins - The Twins, like the A’s, seem to reload every year. With hopes of Justin Morneau returning to his MVP form and teaming with Joe Mauer to provide a middle of the lineup bash that opposing pitchers have to deal with. The Twins return Jim Thome as their DH, Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young, Jason Repko and a plethora of hitters that have proven they can keep up with their opposition in the tough AL Central. But the pitching staff is the biggest key for the Twins, hoping that Francisco Liriano, Carl Pavano and Scott Baker can lead the rotation before they hand the ball over to Joe Nathan, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, and Matt Capps, who filled in nicely for Nathan when the Twins picked him up midway through last season.
East
1. Boston Red Sox - This isn’t another year the Red Sox are content with finishing behind the Yankees, but when are they ever? Boston picked up slugger Adrian Gonzalez (SD) and the five-tooled Carl Crawford (TB), adding to a lineup hopeful of returning Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury to a lineup already anchored by Kevin Youkilis, J.D. Drew and David Ortiz. This is Boston’s chance at having its own murderers row, if the middle of the lineup can get hot for long periods of time at the same time. But the key to the Red Sox success is the pitching staff, as it is with every other team. Boasting Josh Beckett, John Lackey, John Lester, with hopes that Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield can pick up the slack, the Sox retun Jonathan Papelbon at the back end of the bullpen, with the added help from Bobby Jenks, hoping Hideki Okajima can return back to his dominant form. The biggest question mark in Boston will be who will take on the majority of the catching duties. With Jason Varitek’s time expiring, the Sox turn to Jarrod Saltalamacchia, hoping he can regain his form as a highly-tougted prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization and provide power from both sides of the plate and handle a top-notch staff.
2. New York Yankees - The Yankees are fresh off a disappointing season (if they don’t win a pennant, its a disappointment) where they lost to the upstart Texas Rangers in the ALCS. The Yankees still boast a dangerous lineup, with Mark Texiera, Robinson Cano, Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher. But can Curtis Granderson, a platoon of Jorge Posada, Francisco Cervelli and Russell Martin at catcher, Derek Jeter, Brett Gardner and an aging Andruw Jones sustain a 162-game marathon and help the Yankees earn a 28th title? The Yankees lost out on the Cliff Lee raffle over the summer and Andy Pettite to retirement, but return C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes to a rotation that is as good as any, rounded off by newly-acquired Rafael Soriano and what some consider to be the greatest closer of all-time in Mariano Rivera.
And moving on to the senior circuit, the National League, and beginning out West as well:
1. San Francisco Giants - the defending World Series champions are ready to defend their title, and who in the NL West will stand in their way? With the Dodgers situation and the Diamondbacks in a constant rebuilding mode, this is the Giants division to lose. The Giants lost MVP Edgar Renteria to the Reds, but retained Cody Ross, Aubrey Huff and Pat Burrell to a lineup boasting NL Rookie of the Year Buster Posey, Aaron Rowand, Mark Derosa (hoping he can stay healthy), Pablo Sandoval, Miguel Tejada and Nate Schierholz. But the Giants have a pitching staff able, and armed, to shut down any lineup, as proven in the playoffs, starting with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Madison Bumgardner and hoping Barry Zito can finally regain his form with the A’s. But the x-factor with the Giants is closer Brian Wilson, who shut down opponents in the final two innings of the playoffs en route to the championship.
2. Colorado Rockies - The Rockies always produce late in the season, and are hoping for Troy Tulowitzki, Carlos Gonzales and Ubaldo Jimenez to lead this team, like they did last year and in 2007, toward another postseason berth. The Rockies still boast one of the best pure hitters in the history of baseball in Todd Helton, not to mention Jason Giambi, who can fill in for Helton and provide a much needed punch off the bench. But the Rockies, who have proven that Coors Field is no longer just a hitters ballpark, still have Huston Street at the closer spot, who has done everything the Rockies have asked of him since being acquired for Matt Holliday
2. San Diego Padres - Last year was a dream year for the Padres, but how can they sustain their success without Adrian Gonzalez? Their rotation, led by Mat Latos and Aaron Harang will constantly be tested, especially Heath Bell, tabbed with closing games out. But the lineup will have to score runs in a pitching heavy NL, led by Brad Hawpe, Chase Headley, Jorge Cantu, Ryan Ludwick and Cameron Maybin. The Padres have the youth to compete, especially in a division proven that anything can happen year after year.
Central
1. Cincinatti Reds - The Reds are one of the best young teams in baseball, and they have the defending NL MVP in Joey Votto to prove that. Cincy boasts Brandon Phillips, Scott Rolen and World Series MVP Edgar Renteria on the infield and Jay Bruce and Johnny Gomes in the outfield, but can the Reds hold off a host of foes in the Central, including St. Louis, Chicago and Milwaukee? Yes, I failed to mention Pittsburgh, because they do not seem to be exiting the cellar anytime soon. The Reds rotation is led by Bronson Arroyo, Edison Volquez, Johnny Queto and Mike Leake, but Aroldis Chapman can start, relieve or close for Dusty Baker’s club, who already has Francisco Cordero closing out ballgames, and doing a fine job of it.
2. St. Louis Cardinals - Having Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday at the middle of your lineup should stamp NL Central title all over your team, shouldn’t it? Not this season. The Cards are already down Adam Wainwright, who is lost for the season after tearing a muscle in his elbow, But the Cards are hoping Chris Carpenter, Jake Westbrook and Jaime Garcia can pick up the slack before Tony LaRussa hands the ball to Ryan Franklin to close out the game. The Cards added Lance Berkman to their lineup, providing switch-hitting power to protect Pujols and Hollliday, but can Skip Schumacher, Colby Rasmus and Nick Punto set the table for these three sluggers?
East
1. Philadelphia Phillies - The re-acquisition of Cliff Lee can only mean one thing for the Phillies in 2011 - success. Lee joins Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt, a pitching staff that rivals the Braves staffs of the ‘90’s, with Brad Lidge at the back end of the bullpen. As good as these four pitchers are, there is only so much they can do, especially if the opposing pitcher pitches better than them. The Phillies still have Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez and Shane Victorino at the top of their lineup, but lost Jayson Werth to Washington and must find a way to fill his shoes.
2. Atlanta Braves - Can the Braves break the SI cover curse? If Jason Heyward and rookie Freddie Freeman have anything to say about the matter, the answer is yes. Heyward is just one of the pieces the Braves are hoping will fall into place, after acquiring second baseman Dan Uggla from Floria in exchange for the versatile Omar Infante and reliever Mike Dunn. Uggla’s acquisition moved all-star Martin Prado to left field, and the Braves hope Nate McLouth can regain his own all-star form. Freeman will start at first for Fredi Gonzalez’ squad, who has Alex Gonzalez and short and Chipper Jones, hoping he returns to form before his August injury, at third. Handling the pitching staff is the consistent Brian McCann, who has proven to be one of the best hitting catchers since he came up in 2005. Atlanta kept backup David Ross, who has proven he can fill in for McCann at any and all costs, providing leadership in the clubhouse. But the Braves pitching staff has shown it can hold its own with the Phillies over the years, with Tim Hudson, Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrgens and a number of candidates to fill in the fifth and final spot. But the bullpen is the question. Young and semi-experienced, the Braves still have yet to receive Billy Wagner’s retirement papers, but have Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters ready to fill Wagner’s shoes with help from veterans Scott Proctor and George Sherrill. This will be an interesting year to see if the Braves, as an organization, can win without Bobby Cox as its manager, but Gonzalez has the track record to fill in smoothly.
AL Wild Card - New York Yankees
NL Wild Card - Atlanta Braves
World Series - Red Sox vs. Phillies
Winner - Red Sox
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