MLB 2011 Season Preview
A brief preview in search of a little value ...
AL East
Bosox. There’s a case to be made for the Yankees, and if they trade (and they will) for another arm they’ll be even more dangerous, but I think the Boston off-season moves will win out and take Boston to the AL East; that said, the price is too short.
Pick: No bet.
AL Central
It’s time for the White Sox. They’ve added some power to a tried and tested rotation and a bullpen packing serious heat. The price is a little skinny, so shop around.
Pick: Chicago White Sox 7/4
AL West
A difficult division that’ll see closely matched teams slugging it out, but I like the A’s to emerge. Oakland have great pitching depth, starting and out of the pen, and their anaemic offense has had enough of an upgrade to inspire confidence. I like this bet.
Pick: Oakland A’s 11/4
Cy Young Award
Slimmed down, and in a contract year, in a team that will figure as always. He needs to produce and he will.
Pick: CC Sabathia 5/1
NL East
This is my strongest bet. Everyone is drooling over the Phils’ rotation, and they should, but Utley, Lidge and Brown are really struggling and Polanco is banged up and Werth is gone – that means the fab four may not get the support they need to dominate. The Braves have a lean and hungry look and will push Philadelphia all the way and at 5/1 look great value.
Pick: Atlanta Braves 5/1
NL Central
I like the Reds here, even with their injury problems. Their offense is dominant and they have enough cover to ride out the injuries. Opponents have longer term injury problems and a little glug glug, bang bang to deal with.
Pick: Cincinnati Reds 5/2
NL West
I’m not buying the Giants. They fell into the post-season last year (which admittedly worked out pretty well for them!) and losing Wilson and a rotation that has to rack up the miles is going to run out of road. The Rockies, on the other hand, have the sort of upside that makes them attractive prospects for the division. Jimenez can dominate, even in the clouds (I traded him for garbage last year) and Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez can pack a punch. If Chacin and Jorge DeLa Rosa step up, the Rockies will make a strong run.
Pick: Colorado Rockies 2/1
Cy Young Award
He’s money.
Pick: Roy Halladay 7/2
AL Championship
The top two are choking the value out of this bet, but look out for the Yankees!
Pick: No bet
NL Championship
This is where the Phillies can begin to get some love ... but not at the price.
Pick: No bet.
World Series
I’ve picked two teams that are legit threats to the Boston/Philadelphia axis.
New York Yankees 15/2
They’ll trade up to bolster that rotation and look for monster years from their veterans.
Atlanta Braves 25/1
I really like this team. Uggla is a nice addition and Jones looks as though he’s back. That rotation is deep too. A lovely balance that could make for a very powerful team down the stretch.
Have a great season
