Don’t you feel like the San Francisco Giants just won the world series just yesterday? Well, it was four months ago, but it felt like yesterday.
But as we prepare for the 2011 MLB season, everyone makes their season predictions starting in mid-February. That’s just what I am doing.
I will be making my official MLB predictions very soon. But I just couldn’t wait to make my world series predictions. So here it is.
Coming out of the NL no doubt will be the Philadelphia Phillies (even though I want the New York Mets in it, but that’s not happening). Just looking up and down the Phillies roster is full of talent.
Starting with the starting rotation: They have the 2010 NL Cy Young award winner in Roy Halladay as their ace. They added Cliff Lee in the offseason. All the talk was that the Texas Rangers or New York Yankees would acquire Lee. But the Phillies made a run on the last day and got rewarded.
Roy Oswalt is a potential ace, but his career is on the downfall with age. Cole Hamels could be a solid No. 2 starter on another team. The only problem with the rotation is the No. 5 spot, where Joe Blanton will start with it.
The infield is also filled with talent. First Baseman Ryan Howard had a disappointing season last year, but he is one of the best out there. Second baseman Chase Utley had an injury-plagued season last year, so he isn’t 100 percent. ShortStop Jimmy Rollins also had an injury season and third baseman Placido Polanco has a ton of potential.
The outfield, though, could be interesting. Raul Ibanez had a great season last year, along with Shane Victorino. But in right field, they are going with young Dominic Brown to try to replace Jayson Werth.
They will win the division, with the Atlanta Braves losing manager Bobby Cox, Troy Glaus, Derrick Lee, and Billy Wagner. The Florida Marlins are on the rise, but they are not there yet. And forget about the Mets and Washington Nationals.
And just looking at all the other good teams in the NL. The Phillies matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Milwaukee Brewers.
The Phillies have the best team in the NL and will show that by making it to the world series.
The American League champion will also come out of the East. This time, it will be the Boston Red Sox. They also are full of talent.
Rotation is stocked as well. Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey and Daisuke Matsuzaka. The only problem, in my opinion, with the rotation is Beckett. He is coming off a dreadful season last year. He has to have a great year, with around 15 wins and around a 2.50 to a 3.00 ERA. If he can do that, the Sox will make the world series.
Other players that have to step up are David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia and new additions Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. In my opinion, these four guys are the most important players for the Red Sox this upcoming season.
The only position that I have an issue with is catcher. The Red Sox lost their star catcher Victor Martinez. So to fill in the spot, they brought in Jarrod Saltalamachia and have veteran catcher Jason Varitek in a back-up role.
The division, though, could cause some problems. The Yankees are obviously a threat. The Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles are on the rise. And the Tamp Bay Rays could still cause some problems, even after losing Crawford, Rafael Soriano and Willy Aybar.
World Series Prediction: Red Sox win the series in seven games.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com