2011 MLB Predictions

With players reporting for spring training starting in early February, we can say that the 2011 baseball season is coming on full swing. The games that count for the standing don’t start until March 31, but every team will play several spring training games against each other to try to work out roster spots and pitching rotations. While we are still a while away from the start of the regular season, it is never too early for some predictions for what should be another stellar year of baseball.
Standings:
AL EAST NL EAST
1. Boston Red Sox: 97-65 1. Philadelphia Phillies: 94-68
2. New York Yankees: 91-71 2. Atlanta Braves: 92-70
3. Tampa Bay Rays: 85-77 3. Florida Marlins: 82-80
4. Baltimore Orioles: 74-88 4. Washington Nationals: 72-90
5. Toronto Blue Jays: 68-94 5. New York Mets: 69-93
AL CENTRAL NL CENTRAL
1. Chicago White Sox: 94-68 1. Milwaukee Brewers: 95-67
2. Minnesota Twins: 89-73 2. St. Louis Cardinals: 89-73
3. Detriot Tigers: 83-79 3. Cincinnati Reds: 88-74
4. Cleveland Indians: 66-96 4. Chicago Cubs: 77-85
5. Kansas City Royals: 64-98 5. Houston Astros: 72-90
AL WEST 6. Pittsburgh Pirates: 64-98
1. Texas Rangers: 93-69 NL WEST
2. Oakland A’s: 84-78 1. San Francisco Giants: 91-71
3. Los Angeles Angels: 79-83 2. Colorado Rockies: 90-72
4. Seattle Mariners: 66-96 3. Los Angeles Dodgers: 81-81
4. San Diego Padres: 74-88
5. Arizona Diamondbacks: 67-95

Playoffs
AL Divisional Round NL Divisional Round
Red Sox defeat Rangers 3-1 Phillies defeat Giants 3-2
Yankees defeat White Sox 3-2 Brewers defeat Braves 3-1
ALCS NLCS
Red Sox defeat Yankees 4-2 Phillies defeat Brewers 4-1
World Series
Phillies defeat Red Sox 4-3: The Phillies stellar rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels outduel Red Sox aces Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, John Lackey, and Clay Buchholz to win the series. Halladay will out-duel Beckett in game 7 to clinch the title. Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford will hit well for the Sox, but Ryan Howard will come up big with two homeruns in game 7 for the Phillies, who will capture their 2nd World Series title in 4 years after winning their 3rd NL Pennant in 4 years.