Early 2011 MLB Predictions; Playoffs & World Series Picks

Teams don't report to spring training for months and there are plenty of talented free agents to be signed, but it's never too early for predictions. Here are my mid-December MLB predictions for the 2011 MLB season.

American League
East- New York Yankees
The Yankees are being overlooked as the Red Sox have made the big offensive moves this off-season. The Yankees were the much better team in 2010, and have the core of their team returning. With the Rays primed for a huge fall, the Yankees will take back the division.

Central- Chicago White Sox
As a die hard Tigers fan it hurts me to face the reality of the 2011 season. The White Sox have the strongest rotation in the division by far when healthy, and with the biggest bats in their lineup, the Sox look like the team to beat. The Tigers and Twins will battle closely for second and for the Wild Card spot.

West- Texas Rangers
Even without Cliff Lee, the Rangers have a very strong lineup in a weak division. The Rangers should be able to outplay the Angels for the AL West crown.

Wild Card- Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox will make the playoffs in 2011, it is just a matter of whether they beat the Yankees for the AL East or not. The Red Sox made great moves in getting Crawford and Gonzalez.

National League
East- Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have the best starting rotation I have ever witnessed, and possibly one of the best in the history of baseball. Although their offense has faced struggles, they have more than enough power on offense to easily win the NL East.

Central- St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals should be able to find their groove again and retake the Central in 2011. Their rotation and offense are in the top few in the League, and besides the Reds, their shouldn't be much competition for the division.

West- San Francisco Giants
The defending champs will have some trouble in their division due to their offensive lineup, but there should be no problem of returning to the playoffs with an incredible staff of young pitchers throughout their entire pitching staff.

Wild Card- Colorado Rockies
The Rockies will beat out the Cincinnati Reds for the National League Wild Card spot. With the re-signing of Jorge De La Rosa and the progress of young players including Jimenez and Carlos Gonzalez, I like the Rockies chances of winning the Wild Card, if not contending for the NL West title.

ALDS
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox
The Rangers do not have the pitching to keep the Red Sox in the ballpark, should be a short series.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox win the series 3-0

New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox
A great battle between solid lineups and solid pitching staffs. The overall edge goes to the Yankees with a better closer and overall experience.
Prediction: New York Yankees win the series 3-1

NLDS
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have enough talent to win one game against the Phillies, but that is about it. The Phillies out hit and pitch the Rockies.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies win the series 3-1

St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Francisco Giants
The best overall series of the first round of playoff games. Both teams have great pitching staffs, but the Cardinals have the better offense. In a 5 game series the Cardinals find a way to pull out the series against the defending champions.
Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals win the series 3-2

ALCS
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox
There is nothing better than a series between the Red Sox and Yankees in October. When these teams get together you can throw out a lot of logical statistics. These matchups usually come down to who can get clutch hits out of their stars, and that would have to go to the Red Sox.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox win the series 4-3

NLCS
Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Although Utley and Howard have not been as productive as Pujols and Holliday, the 2010 Phillies had more home runs, RBI, triples, stolen bases, and a higher team slugging percentage. Even though the Phillies may be able to out slug the Cardinals, their pitching is where the real difference lies.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies win the series 4-1

World Series
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Boston Red Sox
The best pitching staff faces off against arguably the best lineup in the Red Sox. Halladay and Lee are not losing to any other pitcher in this situation, I cannot see Lester, Lackey, or Beckett defeating either of these pitchers. Oswalt and Hamels can both have their off nights, but I still would see them winning one of their two starts against the Red Sox staff. Even with the Red Sox bats, I see this series going to the Phillies.
Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies win the series 4-1