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Clever_Iggy · 03-31-2011, 08:36 AM

Possibly another NL Rookie of the Year race between the Giants and Braves (Brandon Belt and Freddie Freeman - both awesome names).

I think the Red Sox will win the AL East, but they need to add another starter and shore up the bullpen to make it through the playoffs. Jonathan Papelbon isn't what he was (and frankly I don't think he was much of anything at his peak). As for their lineup, I'm more impressed with those players returning from injury - Youkilis, Ellsbury and Pedroia - than Crawford and Gonzalez. Frankly, I think they would have been more wise to keep Youkilis at 1st, Adrian Beltre at 3rd and concentrated on getting Cliff Lee. The difference between Gonzalez-Youkilis and Youkilis-Beltre isn't going to be as magical as people think. And how long can Big Poppi be productive - 37 this year and he took the past two Aprils off? Catching is going to be an issue for this team as Saltalamacchia isn't developing at all and I can't believe Varitek can still find a MLB contract.

The Phillies are almost the opposite of the Red Sox. If they get to the post season (I would be concerned about a lack of offense on that team without Utley for an extended period and without Werth protecting Howard) they are going to be very difficult to beat. I think it's between the Phillies and the Braves for the NL East and Wildcard spot.

I like Milwaukee in the NL Central and not just as a dark horse. Pujols and Holliday could have monster years, but without starting pitching, the Cards are going to be hurting. That division is totally up for grabs. Plus with the Brewers going for broke this year as they'll lose Fielder next year, they'll add an arm or two down the stretch.

It's going to be exciting in the Bay Area this summer - both teams have a chance to take their respective divisions with really exciting young rotations and improved power in their lineups. The Rangers will be difficult in the AL West but the A's could put together a swan song for Oakland (at least by everything I'm reading/hearing). The Giants should roll their division as every other team got weaker or stayed stagnant. The Rockies are the only hurdle.

World Series: Braves over the Twins in 6.

03-31-2011, 08:36 AM	#7
Clever_Iggy Franchise Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: City by the Bay Exp:	Possibly another NL Rookie of the Year race between the Giants and Braves (Brandon Belt and Freddie Freeman - both awesome names). I think the Red Sox will win the AL East, but they need to add another starter and shore up the bullpen to make it through the playoffs. Jonathan Papelbon isn't what he was (and frankly I don't think he was much of anything at his peak). As for their lineup, I'm more impressed with those players returning from injury - Youkilis, Ellsbury and Pedroia - than Crawford and Gonzalez. Frankly, I think they would have been more wise to keep Youkilis at 1st, Adrian Beltre at 3rd and concentrated on getting Cliff Lee. The difference between Gonzalez-Youkilis and Youkilis-Beltre isn't going to be as magical as people think. And how long can Big Poppi be productive - 37 this year and he took the past two Aprils off? Catching is going to be an issue for this team as Saltalamacchia isn't developing at all and I can't believe Varitek can still find a MLB contract. The Phillies are almost the opposite of the Red Sox. If they get to the post season (I would be concerned about a lack of offense on that team without Utley for an extended period and without Werth protecting Howard) they are going to be very difficult to beat. I think it's between the Phillies and the Braves for the NL East and Wildcard spot. I like Milwaukee in the NL Central and not just as a dark horse. Pujols and Holliday could have monster years, but without starting pitching, the Cards are going to be hurting. That division is totally up for grabs. Plus with the Brewers going for broke this year as they'll lose Fielder next year, they'll add an arm or two down the stretch. It's going to be exciting in the Bay Area this summer - both teams have a chance to take their respective divisions with really exciting young rotations and improved power in their lineups. The Rangers will be difficult in the AL West but the A's could put together a swan song for Oakland (at least by everything I'm reading/hearing). The Giants should roll their division as every other team got weaker or stayed stagnant. The Rockies are the only hurdle. World Series: Braves over the Twins in 6. Last edited by Clever_Iggy; 03-31-2011 at 08:40 AM.