2011 MLB Predictions: ESK Edition

NL East
Phillies
Braves (WC)
Marlins
Mets
Nationals

NL Central
Brewers (89-73)
Cardinals (86-76)
Reds
Pirates
Cubs (72-90)
Astros

NL West
Dodgers
Rockies
Giants
Padres
Diamondbacks

AL East
Red Sox
Yankees (WC)
Devil Rays
Orioles
Blue Jays

AL Central
Twins
White Sox
Tigers
Royals
Indians

AL West
Rangers
A's
Angels
Mariners

NLDS

Brewers - Phillies
Giants - Braves

ALDS

Red Sox - Twins
Rangers - Rays

NLCS

Brewers - Braves
ALCS

Twins - Rangers
WS

Brewers - Twins

Awards

AL Cy Young - Francisco Liriano
AL MVP - Nelson Cruz (get paid!)

NL Cy Young - Zack Greinke
NL MVP - Rickie Weeks (get paid!)

I'm high on the Twins for no particular reason other than they have a lot of room to improve, pitching wise and I love their overall talent level. If their pitching can hold up at all (and I am predicting a monster season from Liriano...only because no one else is!) I think they'll so serious damage. Plus, they are playing in a weak division. The regular season is going to be so intense for teams in the East that I think pitchers will be overused, bullpens worn out and hopefully a fight-related broken wrist or two!

Brewers are self explanatory. Greinke will win the Cy Young based on numbers equal to what guys will put up in a whole season despite missing a month. Weeks is going to absolutely blow up. I have a feeling he is going to have to carry a significant offensive burden, and he will emerge as the best 2B in the NL this year.

The Cubs are going to absolutely collapse. A complete, utter and catastrophic collapse that will take all who are present (hopefully Wrigley as well) into a deep abyssal hell from which they won't emerge for a decade. Actually I think they'll be tremendous in two years, but this year they are going to really stink.