2011 MLB Bold Predictions and Season Preview Podcast
Here is a list of my bold predictions for 2011. Some are not extremely bold, but it was difficult coming up with something for each team. These are BOLD prediction, if 100% were likely then they wouldn't be bold predictions, they'd be boring predictions.
I also recorded an MLB preview podcast with Kevin and Kris over at randomguytalk.com You can listen to the podcast here
Playoff Predictions
AL - Red Sox over Twins, Athletics over Rays
NL - Brewers over Braves, Giants over Phillies
ALCS - Red Sox over Athletics
NLCS - Brewers over Giants
World Series Red Sox over Brewers
AL MVP - Carl Crawford, Red Sox
NL MVP - Prince Fielder, Brewers
AL Cy Young - Brett Anderson, Athletics
NL Cy Young - Yovani Gallardo, Brewers
Bold Predictions
AL East
- Red Sox – Lackey/Beckett 58 starts 30 wins; Bard/Jenks more saves than Papelbon
- Rays – Manny 20 HR, James Shields ERA under 4
- Yankees - ARod monster year 40/140 .400 OBP, Outside of CC/Hughes no pitcher wins 8 games
- Blue Jays - Jose Bautista 38 HR, JP Arencibia and Edwin Encarnacion 25 HR each
- Orioles – Matusz ERA under 4, Reynolds 40 HR 20 SB
AL Central
- Twins – only one SP with an ERA under 4; Cuddyer/Kubel 55 HR 195 RBI
- Tigers – Rayburn - 25 HR 80 RBI; Porcello ERA over 5
- White Sox – Dunn 45 HR 110 RBI no SP has an ERA under 4.00
- Royals – no starter has an ERA under 5; Blanco 25 SBs
- Indians – Choo 25 HR 100 RBI 25 SB .420 OBP; Chris Perez FT closer and get <25 saves
AL West
- Athletics – Andrew Bailey does not get 15 saves; Brett Anderson wins Cy Young
- Angels – Abreu 25/100/.300/.400; Haren 3.20 ERA 1.10 WHIP
- Rangers – Michael Young 60 games at 3B, 3rd in division
- Mariners - Ichiro hits .330 with 45 SBs; Pineda starts 1-7 and gets sent back down to minors
NL East
- Braves – Minor gets 25 starts; Venters/Kimbrel under 25 saves
- Phillies – Howard 25HR 90 RBI; 52 wins or less for the big 4
- Marlins – Infante hits .315 again; Vazquez ERA under 3.30
- Nationals – Zimmerman 150 IP 150 K’s sub 4.00 ERA
- Mets – K-Rod less than 18 saves
NL Central
- Brewers – Prince NL MVP, Gallardo 17 W’s 3.20 ERA
- Reds – Votto repeats .324/37/113 and .424 OBP
- Cardinals – Berkman 20 HR 95 RBI .400 OBP; Westbrook 3.20 ERA 15 wins
- Cubs – Castro .300 avg and leads all SS in 2B; Zambrano 3.00 ERA 16 wins
- Pirates – win 80 games, Garrett Jones 30 HR 100 RBI
- Astros – lose 100 games, Brett Wallace hits <.220
NL West
- Giants – Linecum 3rd best starter behind Cain/Sanchez (good problem), top 4 SP win 60 (MB)
- Rockies –Tulo 37 HR 110 RBI .320, Street 40 saves
- Dodgers – Kemp .300 30 110 Ethier .300 25 115; no closer more than 12 saves
- Padres – Heath Bell is traded a month into the season.
- Diamondbacks – Kennedy/Hudson 350 IP 350 Ks, Chris Young 30 HR, 100 RBI 30 SB