Who doesn't love playoffs? Just thinking about the MLB Playoffs is getting me excited for October. I am giving you my prediciton for the playoffs this year in both NL and AL and as well as the team to watch out for to make a good run for the final playoff spot.
National League:
National League:
East: Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies are on a tear with a record of 49-30 and a 5 game lead on the Braves in the NL East. With dominating pitching from the Fab Five and an explosive offense from the "Cadillac Kids", no one can stop the Phillies in the National League. Maybe the Braves can make the NL East race close but the only way that this can happen is if the Phillies get the injury bug.
The Reds are currently 4 Games Back, with a record of 40-39, of the Divison Leader Milwaukee Brewers. They have not been playing that well lately but I have faith in the Reds and believe that they will get hot soon and win the division. Their offense is one of the best in the league and once they start to hit, it will be hard to stop them.
This is one of my two surprising picks in "Oktoberfest" that Peter laughed at. The Rockies are 38-39, 5.5 GB of the Giants. I don't believe in the Giants to win the West and the Diamondbacks are making some noise but not enought noise. Even tho the Giants pitching is superb, their offense isn't that scary. I won't be surprised if the Rockies pull out another Divisional Crown.
By not having Pujols in the line-up for 6-8 week will hurt the Cardinals. It is going to hurt Holliday and Berkman because there is no major threat other then them. If the Cardinals stay at .500 or above in the games that Pujols is on the DL then the Cardinals are in good shape.
In the Hunt: New York Mets / Milwaukee Brewers
The Mets are surprising do well for the expectation that other fan bases had for them. If Reyes keeps the MVP Season he is playing so far, the Mets might make a run for the Wild Card.
The Brewers, I beleive, are one of the most surprising teams in baseball. I would not of predicited for the brewers to be in first place in the centeral a week before the All-star break. If they can keep this up, they will definitely be in Oktoberfest.
American League:
East: Boston Red Sox
I am in love in what the Red Sox are doing. I was not worried about them when they had their slow start in the beginning of the season. With potential CY Young pitcher Josh Beckett and MVP Adrian Gonzalez this team will keep rolling all the way till they a crowned 2011 World Series Champions.
Central: Indians
What a crazy first half for the Indians. Most of the first half of the season they had the best record in baseball. But then slowly came back down to earth and lost their central divison lead. I do believe that in the second half that they will catch back on fire and win the division.
West: Seattle Mariners
This divison is up in the air. I had a tough time picking the winner but I'm going with Seattle. It was hard to pick because Seattle has the Pitching but Texas has the bats. I personally think that pitching can carry you farther than hitting so I'm throwing another curve ball and going with the Mariners.
Wild Card: Tampa Bay Rays
Yes you are reading it correctly, I picked the Rays to win the Wild Card over the Yankees and Tigers. I love the way that the Rays play. They play smart, fundamental baseball. It was hard leaving the Yankees out of the playoffs but Boston is going to win the division so it was between the Yankees and Rays for the final spot. I like Tampa's offense and pitching this year, I think they are one of the most underrated teams in the MLB.
In the Hunt: New York Yankees
The Yankees currently have the best record in the American League. No surprises there, but the surprise is that I do not see the Yankees in the playoffs. They have a great line-up, but I just don't see any pitching outside Sabathia and Rivera.
Oktoberfest 2011 Bracket:
Here is my bracket of what I believe how the 2011 MLB Playoffs will turn out.
Congrats to the Red Sox, who I believe will win in 7 games against the Phillies. World Series MVP will be Jon Lester
No comments:
Post a Comment