The 2011 Major League Baseball season opens March 31 as the Detroit Tigers travel to Yankee Stadium to play the New York Yankees. There are five other games on tap as well.
April 1st is the season opener for the rest of the league as baseball returns for another exciting season.
There are many questions to be answered over the summer as the season goes along, but none bigger than who will face off in late October in the World Series.
The following offers a breakdown (capsule form) of the American League and National League along with post-season predictions.
Play Ball!
AMERICAN LEAGUE
East Division
1. Boston Red Sox- The Red Sox spend money like the Yankees so they better make the playoffs this year.
2. New York Yankees (wild card)- Expect more of the same from the Yankees in 2011 that we have been accustomed to seeing the past 15 years.
3. Toronto Blue Jays- Question marks abound for this team that looks to crack the post-season for the first time in many years.
4. Tampa Bay Rays- This team lost a lot of players and manager Joe Maddon will be hard pressed to make the playoffs this year.
5. Baltimore Orioles- This team could surprise some with the young pitching staff and some veteran talent added to lineup.
Central Division
1. Chicago White Sox- Barring injuries, the Sox have no excuses in 2011.
2. Minnesota Twins- This team always seems to contend in the AL Central and will do that again this season.
3. Detroit Tigers- Lots of potential for this team, which has been an under achiever since '06.
4. Cleveland Indians- Why bother?
5. Kansas City Royals- See above.
West Division
1. Texas Rangers- Came close to winning it all last year; they will be hungry again in 2011.
2. Oakland A's- This team is on the rise.
3. Los Angeles Angels- This team is on the decline.
4. Seattle Mariners- Ichiro... worth the price of admission.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
East Division
1. Philadelphia Phillies- Great pitching staff (starters that is) but questions in lineup as Chase Utley battles injuries.
2. Atlanta Braves- A new manager and a new era for the Braves.
3. Florida Marlins- Another .500 type season looms here in 2011.
4. New York Mets- Will this team actually contend this year? Nope!
5. Washington Nationals- Will challenge the Mets for fourth place this season.
Central Division
1. Cincinnati Reds- Joey Votto and company look to go farther this season.
2. Milwaukee Brewers- A good, solid team with added pitching depth in Zack Greinke.
3. St. Louis Cardinals- Tony LaRussa may be on the hot seat this year.
4. Chicago Cubs- The Cubs could be a pleasant surprise in 2011... or not.
5. Houston Astros- The Astros continue their run of mediocrity in 2011.
6. Pittsburgh Pirates- A glorified minor league baseball team.
West Division
1. San Francisco Giants- The Giants are going for the repeat in the Fall Classic.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers (wild card)- This team has a chance to do some good this season.
3. Colorado Rockies- A good, solid team that will challenge the Giants and Dodgers.
4. Arizona Diamondbacks- Looking toward the future.
5. San Diego Padres- Last year is over and they blew their chance down the stretch.
Post-Season
AMERICAN LEAGUE
New York Yankees over Chicago White Sox
Boston Red Sox over Texas Rangers
Boston Red Sox over New York Yankees
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Philadelphia Phillies over Los Angeles Dodgers
San Francisco Giants over Cincinnati Reds
Philadelphia Phillies over San Francisco Giants
WORLD SERIES
Philadelphia Phillies over Boston Red Sox
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