Mike’s 2011 MLB Predictions

Another year of baseball and with it, predictions to start the season off. Each writer here at 4th and Home is going to post their predictions so we can measure each other up come October. No real surprises here although I think the Dodgers and ChiSox have the pieces to put a nice run together.

AL East Champ: Red Sox

AL Central Champ: Twins

AL West Champ: Rangers

AL Wild Card: Yankees

NL East Champ: Phillies

NL Central Champ: Reds

NL West Champ: Dodgers

NL Wild Card: Braves

AL Champ: Red Sox (Darkhorse – White Sox)

NL Champ: Phillies (Darkhorse – Dodgers)

World Series Champ: Phillies in 6.

AL MVP: Carl Crawford, Boston Red Sox

AL CY: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

AL ROY: Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Rays

NL MVP: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals

NL CY: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

NL ROY: Mike Minor, Atlanta Braves

 

Top 5 BOLD Predictions for 2011:

1a. Chase Utley dooms the Phillies and they miss the playoffs…1b. The Mets surprise everyone and win 50 games.

2. Mat Latos and Josh Johnson combine to pitch less than 200 innings.

3. Kyle McClellan wins 15 games for the Cardinals with a mid-3 ERA.

4. Brett Gardner becomes a 2012 second round pick.

5. Erik Bedard and Michael Pineda throw back-to-back no-hitters vs. the Indians in May.