30 for 30 MLB Wrap-up

Well folks, our month together has come to an end. We set out to preview every team in baseball before Opening Day and made it just in time. It wasn't always easy to stay objective. There were times we wanted to tear a team a new one (Yankees, Angels). There were times we wanted to coddle and promote a team (Pirates, A's). And there were times when we wanted to stop writing altogether and go watch 30 Rock because we knew that literally no one following this blog gave a rat's behind about that particular team (Astros, Royals, teams from Ohio).

Nonetheless, we persevered. And our fantasy teams are stronger because of it. We now have an entire season ahead of us to sit back and see how many of our worst case scenarios come true.

To put closure on this long, strange trip, Eric and I are each going to briefly share our predictions for the coming season's Division winners and player award recipients.

National League

NL East:

Frankie: Phillies

About a month ago I would have been all-in with the Phillies. But after doing more research and realizing just how old their lineup is, I'm not quite as sure. Injuries to Utley and Lidge are a concern, but that rotation could carry just about any offense to the postseason. It's close, but the Phils edge the Braves.

Eric: Phillies

There's no way to deny it. This team has the pitching to win. Even if the offense is a little lacking, and it might be with Utley out, they should be able to fend off the Braves and defend their crown.

NL Central:

Frankie: Brewers

Eric sold me on the Brewers. The Cards will miss Wainrwight and the Reds have zero pitching to begin with. The Brewers finally have three top starters to go along with their enormously underrated lineup.

Eric: Brewers

The additions of Marcum and Greinke make this team a legitimate contender. Their lineup was already very good with Fielder, Hart, Braun, and Weeks. The Reds pitching with eventually be their end, but it will be a tight race to the finish.

NL West:

Frankie: Giants

I'm not even being a homer. With a revamped Pablo Sandoval and full seasons of Bumgarner, Posey and Ross, the Giants have the potential to be significantly better than last year's title-winning team. They'll face stiff competition from Colorado and Los Angeles, but pitching depth will win the day.

Eric: Rockies

Well, Frank was going to pick the Giants so I decided to be contrary. This is a fearsome lineup. Tulo and Cargo are set to have MVP caliber seasons. Once Ubaldo, De La Rosa, and Chacin start dealing, this team will go toe to toe in the west. The Giants and Dodgers will be the ones giving them trouble.

NL Wildcard:

Frankie: Rockies

With their patent-pending September surge, the Rockies will be the hottest team in baseball heading into the playoffs. Tulo and Cargo become the best 1, 2 punch in baseball while Jorge De La Rosa is the breakout pitcher of the year.

Eric: Giants

Yeah, they were gonna get in somehow. They have a solid team, and will hold off the Braves, Cards, and Reds for the last spot. There's no denying the rotation and what should be an even further improved offense.

Playoffs:

Frankie:

DS: Giants over Brewers
DS: Phillies over Rockies
CS: Giants over Phillies

Eric:

DS: Phillies over Giants
DS: Brewers over Rockies
CS: Phillies over Brewers

American League

AL East:

Eric: Red Sox

The Sawks are the odds on favorite to win the whole thing. Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford make this the best lineup out there. When this gets combined with the pitching staff, they look unbeatable. They should be a head and shoulders above the rest of the east.

Frankie: Red Sox

The Red Sox are the most complete team in baseball. They added two All-Star hitters to an already potent lineup and have at worst the third best rotation in all of baseball. They'll win the East comfortably.

AL Central:

Eric: White Sox

They're going for it this year, and they're going to get it. It's hard to ignore that talent in the middle of the order. Danks will then lead the pitching staff to eek out the central crown over the Tigers and Twins.

Frankie: Tigers

Surprise pick. Twins will be sunk by Morneau's absence and lack of pitching. Justin Verlander will lead an underrated staff and Miguel Cabrera, Martinez and Inge will slug the Tigers past the Chi-Sox in a tight one.

AL West:
Eric: A's
This should be the closest race of the summer. The deciding factor will be the A's team ERA hovering around 3. The Ranger pitching after Lewis and Wilson is very, very suspect. They will quickly remember why their teams of the late 90s kept meeting defeat. The Angels will also contend in a three team race that could be decided on the last weekend of the season.

Frankie: Rangers

Even without Cliff Lee, the Rangers pitching will hold its own, thanks in part to a ton of run support. Nelson Cruz will be this year's Carlos Gonzalez and Adrian Beltre will surprise by producing in a non-contract year. With a potent offense, the Rangers squeeze past the pitching-rich but offensively challenged Oakland A's.

AL Wildcard:

Eric: Tigers

Jim Leyland does just enough to win in what could be his swan song. The central team benefits from the extra games against the scuffling Royals and Indians while the east and west beat themselves up. Cabrera has a monster season, and Scherzer proves his worth to beat out the Twins, Yankees, and Rays for the spot.

Frankie: Yankees

Despite lots of concerns about their pitching rotation, the Yankees offense will keep the club in it. I foresee at least one move to acquire a solid starter, which should be enough to beat out the A's and White Sox for the final spot.

Playoffs:
Eric:
DS: Red Sox over Tigers
DS: A's over White Sox
CS: A's over Red Sox

Frankie:

DS: Red Sox over Tigers
DS: Yankees over Rangers
CS: Red Sox over Yankees

World Series
Frankie: Giants over Red Sox in seven games
Eric: Athletics over Phillies in seven games

Awards

NL MVP
Frankie: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies
The best middle-infielder in baseball will reveal himself to a larger audience as the Rockies make the playoffs. Tulo's 39 HR, 125 RBI and .318 AVG will outshine even Carlos Gonzalez.

Eric: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
The left fielder stays healthy and has a bear of a season hitting 37 HR, 138 RBI, and .329 AVG. He leads the Brewer offense to the central crown and earns the hardware for himself.

AL MVP

Eric: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

He barely missed the award last year to Josh Hamilton, and he turns in a repeat performance in 2011. He hits 47 HR, 137 RBI, and hits .316 two take two of three triple crown categories. He wins the award unanimously.

Frankie: Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox

In 2010, Gonzalez hit .407 with runners in scoring position. In 2010, the Padres had 2,242 at bats with runners in scoring position (26th in MLB). In 2010, the Red Sox had 2,488 (5th in MLB). What does that mean? In 2011, Gonzalez wins the AL MVP.

NL Cy Young
Frankie: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
The 23 year old is ready to break out in a big way. He's had a 2.85 ERA over the last two seasons and improved his innings, WHIP and Wins every year he's been in the big leagues. His filthy, filthy curve ball will bring home the hardware.

Eric: Josh Johnson, Florida MarlinsHe broke out last year and could have won the award if not for his late season injury. Entering his age 27 season he can only get better. Sporting a better than 10 K/9 IP, he goes 16-4 for the Marlins with a 2.05 ERA that can't be ignored.

AL Cy Young
Eric: Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels
Weaver's breaking pitches reach epic status as he leads the AL in strikeouts again. The added run support and lowered ERA make for a 19-6 record that nets him the Cy.

Frankie: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox
Often overlooked as one of the best pitchers in the AL, Lester's 20+ wins will serve as his coming out party. With the kind of run support he's going to get, 25 wins wouldn't be a surprise.


NL ROY
Frankie: Brandon Belt, San Francisco Giants
The theme of 2011 is "Repeat" after all. Any rookie who can win the starting gig at First Base for the defending World Series Champions must be pretty darn good. If the Giants are to return to the playoffs, chances are Belt will be a big reason why. He'll put more than his fair share into McCovey Cove.

Eric: Craig Kimbrel, Atlanta Braves
In just over 20 innings last year Kimbrel had a 0.44 ERA and a strikeout ration of 17.4/9. He seamlessly takes over the job of closer from the great Billy Wagner and anchors a Braves pen that almost makes the postseason. His 43 saves get him the ROY.

AL ROY

Eric: Dustin Ackley, Seattle Mariners

Brendan Ryan quickly falters and the Mariners call up the top prospect who, much like Posey, galvanizes the Mariners lineup into something respectable. Playing a clean second base and hitting for average and power, Ackley looks to be a real centerpiece for the next Mariner playoff run.

Frankie: Jeremy Hellickson, Tampa Bay Rays

Hellickson enters the season as the most highly touted rookie starter. He's succeed everywhere he's pitched and at 23 looks ready for the big leagues. If he can put up good numbers pitching to the murderer's row of the AL East, he's got a good shot to win.