MLB 2011 Predictions

      As the 2011 MLB Regular Season is about to begin on thursday March 31, there are many of story lines to follow throughout the year. Will the Giants be able to repeat or will their lack of offense hurt them? When will Derek Jeter join the 3,000 hit club? Will the acquisitions of of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford help the Red Sox to a World Series title? Will Philadelphia's rotation be the best ever? These are some of the questions that will be answered in the next 6 months. Enjoy the season it will be one to remember.
Here are some of my 2011 predictions that I believe will take place:

AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: White Sox
AL West: A's
AL Wild Card: Yankees
AL Champion: Red Sox

NL East: Braves
NL Central: Reds
NL West: Rockies
NL Wild Card: Phillies
NL Champion: Braves

World Series: Red Sox over Braves in 6 games

Here's why: With an outstanding lineup that includes Crawford, Youklis, Gonzalez, Ortiz and Pedroia the Red Sox will be able to power their way to an AL Pennant. Their strong pitching staff will also help them win more than 100 games in the regular season. Recently, the Braves have become a popular pick to win the NL East and possibly the NL Pennant. With a great young talent led by Jason Heyward and Freedie Freeman, the acquisition of Dan Uggla and a very solid starting rotation, it will be more than enough to lead Atlanta to the World Series. I hope I am wrong and the Braves manage to take the series.

Awards:

AL MVP: Adrian Gonzalez-Red Sox (he will go 50-50), 50 homers 50 doubles.
AL CY Young: Felix Hernandez-Mariners (he will continue to dominate hitters even on one of the worst teams in baseball)
AL Rookie of the year: Jeremy Hellickson-Rays (will be trusted to be a starter for the Rays and he will deliver)
AL Comeback Player of the Year: Bartolo Colon-Yankees (has looked outstanding this spring and will overtake Freddy Garcia in the rotation by May)
AL Manager of the Year: Bob Geren-Athletics (The A's will win the West)
AL Breakout Hitter: Mitch Moreland-Rangers (will get the chance at 1B and he will run with it)
AL Breakout Pitcher: Gio Gonzalez-Athletics (had a huge second half, great things to come)

NL MVP: Troy Tulowitzki-Rockies (will continue his 2010 second half explosion)
NL CY Young: Clayton Kershaw-Dodgers (this is the year he figures everything out)
NL Rookie of the Year: Freedie Freeman-Braves (At 21 he will be a full time starter at 1B for a contending team)
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Chipper Jones-Braves (has looked outstanding this spring recovering from ACL surgery)
NL Manager of the Year: Jim Tracy-Rockies (will lead the Rockies to the playoffs)
NL Breakout Hitter: Jay Bruce-Reds (will follow in Joey Votto's footsteps)
NL Breakout Pitcher: Tommy Hanson-Braves (will continue to flourish)


People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball.  I'll tell you what I do.  I stare out the window and wait for spring.  ~Rogers Hornsby


I hope you enjoy my predictions and please tell me what you think will happen this season!