By Hockey Guru
Trying to keep up with all the concussions in the NHL at the start of the season caused the Guru's computer to implode. But just in time for the NHL play-offs... he's BACK!
And so, in dusting off the old crystal ball, it is time to ponder the start of another baseball season and kick off the Sports Talk Pool's predictions for Fall 2011. First off, I'm predicting a year of extremes which will provide fuel to those who argue for expanding MLB playoffs.
| NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST | The crystal ball predictions: | 2011 Record |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | Nothing to see here - please disperse like the fans will most certainly this summer. 100 losses is a reachable number. | 63-99 |
| Colorado Rockies | Jose Lopez contributes significantly to the best offense in the division. | 93-69 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Charlie Sheen organizes a mass effort to re-acquire Manny Ramirez and re-open Manny-Wood. | 79-83 |
| San Diego Padres | The Padres are more likely to finish with 100 losses than to finish above .500. | 69-93 |
| San Francisco Giants | Even though the Guru feels they are over-rated (in a universe that echos that they get no respect) - there's no arguing that they know how to find a way to win. Of course they won't be sneaking up on anybody. If they avoid injury, a 94-68 record and division title are likley. However, the fearless prediction is that Tim Lincecum will spend significant time on the DL this year (possible Tommy John Surgery required) and the fairy tale 2010 turns into a nightmare 2011. | 88-74 |
| NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL | ||
| Chicago Cubs | The Cubs may be the surprise team this year, oh wait, there still | 75-87 |
| Cincinnati Reds | Their pitching could be in shambles quickly and they could end up below .500 if they self-implode - but they don't and despite 90+ wins will miss the playoffs - triggering calls for expansion to a second wild card. | 92-70 |
| Houston Astros | Another contender in the battle for 100 losses. | 64-98 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | It's awesome to get so many games against the Pirates and Astros. | 98-64 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Good news - they may not finish last in the division. Bad news - they'll approach 100 losses yet again. | 65-97 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | Keep an eye on this Albert Pujols kid - he might just emerge as a hall-of-famer. | 99-63 |
| NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST | ||
| Atlanta Braves | Again the Braves come up short - this time, not in the playoffs but short of the playoffs - too many young players will need to carry the team and they just won't be able to do it this year. | 89-73 |
| Florida Marlins | Nobody cares about the Marlins so no need for a comment here - just they somehow find a way to finish above 500 again and stay relevant in playoff races for longer than they should. | 86-76 |
| New York Mets | The worst team in baseball - and so the Pirates argument about not being able to compete because of payroll can get thrown out the window. It's not just payroll that makes a winner. | 54-108 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | Despite injuries, slumps and off-years - the Phillies get into the playoffs again. Giddy-up Roy. | 90-72 |
| Washington Nationals | The sub 500 seasons are over. | 81-81 |
| AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST | ||
| Los Angeles Angels | Vernon Wells is not going to get any better - seriously. | 72-90 |
| Oakland Athletics | Had to check the crystal ball twice on this as good as their pitching may be - not sure where the offense will come from - but the crystal ball is never wrong | 89-73 |
| Seattle Mariners | Edgar Martinez is not walking through that door | 80-82 |
| Texas Rangers | Too many teams will be gunning for them as the defending AL Champs and it's just not happening for them this year. | 83-79 |
| AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL | ||
| Chicago White Sox | Battery on crystal ball is running low - insert your own Ozzie Guillen meltdown joke | 87-75 |
| Cleveland Indians | Another candidate for the 100-loss race? | 65-97 |
| Detroit Tigers | Verlander wins Cy Young and Detroit scores a ton of runs, but pitching keeps them from being one of the best teams in baseball | 86-76 |
| Kansas City Royals | Hard to believe KC fans still have to wait to see their young talent start producing but maybe they can see 100 losses | 63-99 |
| Minnesota Twins | Of course they'll be over 500 and of course they'll be in the playoff race all year. But this just won't be their year. | 83-79 |
| AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST | ||
| Baltimore Orioles | Baltimore may be the most important team in baseball this year. With the focus of their manager being to take down the Red Sox - the O's show up big-time in those 18 games. | 67-95 |
| Boston Red Sox | The duck boats can only hold so many and with the number of prognosticators jumping on the Red Sox "bandwagons" - the boats are gonna sink. But missing the playoffs with 95 wins will continue to make the push for another wild card team. | 95-67 |
| New York Yankees | The biggest question marks are the depth of their rotation. Seriously, the crystal ball doesn't have to work to hard to answer that question. The Yankees obtain at least 1, if not 2 "aces" over the course of the season. | 100-62 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | The Rays bullpen is their weakness - but they have plenty of young arms and some will emerge and dominate. Two of Sean Rodriguez, Ben Zobrist, Matt Joyce and Dan Johnson will emerge (or re-emerge) as all-star caliber players. | 96-66 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | Wrong place, wrong time. | 78-84 |
So besides wasting time, the Guru has apparently predicted the playoffs to look like this:
St. Louis vs Philadelphia
Colorado vs. Milwaukee
New York vs Chicago
Tampa Bay vs Oakland
The Phillies, Brewers, Yankees and Rays win the Wild Card round.
Then, the Brewers defeat the Phillies
and, the Yankees defeat the Rays
And, we'll go with, the Yankees winning the World Series, much to the chagrin of Red Sox Nation.
