World Series Predictions
The 2011 Major League Baseball season is just around the corner. Most teams are hopeful that they can win it this year when in fact there are several that have no hope to be division champions. Let’s look at each division and point out the top two teams and then look at potential 2011 World Series champions.
Note: This article was written by my partner Ryan in March. Listed in bracket, for example +500, are the betting odds for each team to win the 2011 World Series. You can bet on any team to win the World Series at Bodog.com where you will also get a 10% deposit bonus if you’ve never bet there. Click here to lay your World Series bets…
American League East Predictions
Boston Red Sox (+400) – Two major signings have made this the team to beat in the AL East. Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez are already stars before they enter this very good line-up. Gonzalez will play first base and Kevin Youkilis moves over to third base. Crawford gives the top of the order speed to go along with table-setter Jacoby Ellsbury. Add those players to Dustin Pedroia and the offense is formidable. In the rotation the Red Sox throw John Lackey, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Dice-K to throw at their opponents. Papelbon comes in out of the pen to close the door. This might be a 100-win team but we go win 98 wins for the Boston Red Sox and they are a solid bet at +400 to win the World Series.
New York Yankees (+700) – Nipping at the heels of the Red Sox we have the best offensive infield line-up in major league baseball. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Mark Teixiera can produce offensive numbers very quickly. CC Sabathia anchors the pitching rotation but the quality quickly goes downhill from there. Andy Pettitte has stuck to his retirement and Sergio Mitre and Phil Hughes have to be a lot tougher in 2011. Joba Chamberlain lies in waiting should any of them fail. The closing role continues to be in the hands of Mariano Rivera. The Yankees win 93 games and garner the Wild Card spot. The odds are listed at +700 for the Yankees to win the World Series.
American League Central Predictions
Chicago White Sox (+2500) – They added Adam Dunn for more dingers and the return play of Paul Konerko will put them over the top of the Twins. Carlos Quentin and Alex Rios are bound to return to form for 2011. The starting corps is solid with Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd, John Danks and Jake Peavy and Edwin Jackson. Look for a rookie in Chris Sale to be there if one falters. Chicago White Sox win 92 games. This team has a real shot at making the postseason and making a run deep into the playoffs. +2500 is a nice value bet for the White Sox to win the World Series.
Minnesota Twins (+2000) – They could edge the White Sox and will be pushed by the Detroit Tigers in 2011. They are offensively talented with catcher Joe Mauer, first baseman Justin Morneau and add in Denard Span, Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer to drive the runs in and play havoc on the pitchers. The weak area is pitching. Francisco Liriano is an ace but Carl Pavano is average at best and Kevin Slowey and John Baker round out the average rotation. The Twins are listed at +2000 to win the World Series. We see them winning around 88 games and being eliminated in the playoffs.
American League West Predictions
Texas Rangers (+2000) – This team hits. Who better than Josh Hamilton to have at the plate with the game on the line? Nelson Cruz adds power and Adrian Beltre has pop that translates well in this ballpark. Then we can plug in Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler for defense up the middle and not much gets through. The super-sub and starter at several positions for the Rangers is Mike Napoli for catcher, first base and DH. The starting staff weakens the team a bit with Neftali Feliz and a return from injury pitcher in Brandon Webb. Texas wins 90 games. The Rangers might be worth a future bet to win the World Series at +2000.
Oakland Athletics (+3000) -This team is the opposite of the team it is chasing. The A’s have a solid staff of pitchers in Braden, McCarthy, Cahill and Anderson along with the signing of Rich Harden. They led the American League in ERA in 2010 and have the tools to do it again. But the offense is another story. Josh Willingham, Davis DeJesus and Hideki Matsui do not strike fear into any of the teams. They lack runs scored in the past and have little hope to improve on that. The A’s win 86 games.
National League East Predictions
Philadelphia Phillies (+200) – The class of the National League for many years to come is likely for this team. We know about the starting staff of Roy, Roy, Cole and Cliff. To go out every day with a rotation like that makes all the other teams sick. These pitchers can go 9 innings almost every time they take the mound. On offensive they are no slouch either. Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have shouldered this team for years and look for them to do that again. The lost Jayson Werth but Raul Ibanez is capable of taking up the slack. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins is looking for a complete injury-free year to add to his outstanding defense. The Phillies win 102 games for the most in the major leagues. Pretty tough to bet on a team +200 to win the World Series before the season even starts.
Atlanta Braves (+2000) – This is a good team. Too bad for them they have to battle the Phillies for division title every year. Youngster Jason Heyward has all 5 tools to lead this team. Coupled with him is Chipper Jones, who is nursing a sore knee and Brian McCann to solidify the catching spot. Martin Prado may not be able to replicate his offensive output from 2010. Atlanta always seems to have pitchers that can flat out pitch. Jair Jurrijens may be a Cy Young winner in the future. The rotation then moves to Derek Lowe and Hanson, Beachy and Minor. The Braves win 94 games and are the Wild Card winner in the National League.
National League Central Predictions
Milwaukee Brewers (+1500) – This team didn’t sit around this off-season; they went out and got two large pieces of their puzzle for the starting corps. Shawn Marcum and Zach Greinke are pitchers that have won in the past in American League games and have the propensity to go late in to ball games to allow the bullpen to do their thing. Another pitcher from that staff is Yovanni Gallardo, an All Star in his own right to take the ball every 5 days. When on offense, the Brewers have some good sticks to send to the dish. Big first baseman Prince Fielder can carry a team for weeks with his power and outfielder Ryan Braun also has that capability. Brewers win 94 games in 2011. At +1500 or 15/1 the Brewers might be a solid bet to win it all.
Cincinnati Reds (+2500) – This was the Cardinals until Adam Wainwright went down with ligament damage to his elbow. This propelled the Reds into 2nd place in the NL Central. What do they have? Joey Votto and Jay Bruce for starters on the offensive side of the game. Add to that Scott Rolen and glove, Brandon Phillips and his All Star play and this team competes. Young pitchers dominate the rotation. Gone is Aaron Harang but on the mound you will find Johnny Cueto, Edison Volquez, Bronson Arroyo and Aroldis Chapman. The addition to love by GM Walt Jocketty is Edgar Renteria now plays shortstop. He is a winner wherever he goes. The Reds win 89 games in 2011. 25/1 odds on the Reds is a decent value as this team has a real shot to win it all.
National League West Predictions
San Francisco Giants (+1500) – They repeat as champions in the NL West. Why? Pitching and more pitching and Buster Posey. Starters Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Johnatan Sanchez and Madison Baumgartner out pitch every team except the Phillies. If they need a 5th starter then Barry Zito takes the mound. On offensve they added Miguel Tejada and have their fingers crossed that Mark DeRosa stays healthy. Pat Burrell and Cody Ross can help the offense along in 2011. SF Giants win 95 games.
Colorado Rockies (+2500) – The management of the Rockies took care of their own by locking several of them up with multi-year contracts. Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez lead an offensive explosion in the Mile High City. Outside of Ubaldo Jimenez the support from the pitchers may be a problem. Jorge De La Rosa may put it together along with Cook and Chacin. The Rockies will win 86 games in the 2011 season. Sportsbook has the Rockies listed at +2500 to win the World Series.
Post-season MLB Predictions
Phillies and Braves advance to the NLCS
Boston and Texas advance to the ALCS
Phillies and Boston advance to the World Series
Boston wins the World Series in 7 games. Bet on the Redsox to win it all +400 right now.
Adrian Gonzalez is MVP
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