Well, now that I’ve had a chance to reflect on the collapse of the Boston Red Sox while Larry Thornberry revels in the triumph of the Tampa Bay Rays, I shall make my 2011 MLB post-season predictions.
AMERICAN LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES (BEST 3 OUT OF 5)
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers – Rays in four
Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees – Tigers in three
NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES (BEST 3 OUT OF 5)
Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals – Cardinals in five
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Milwaukee Brewers – D’Backs in four
AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (BEST 4 OUT OF 7)
Detroit Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays – Tigers in seven
ALCS MVP: Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers
NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES (BEST 4 OUT OF 7)
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals – D’Backs in six
NLCS MVP: Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
2011 WORLD SERIES (BEST 4 OUT OF 7)
Detroit Tigers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks – D’Backs in seven
World Series MVP: John McDonald, Arizona Diamondbacks
I picked the Tigers to win the AL pennant and I’m sticking to it. Tigers fans will find themselves in the awkward position of rooting against D’Backs manager Kirk Gibson and bench coach Alan Trammell. Gibby and Trammell were integral parts of the last Tiger team to win a World Series back in 1984. Indeed, Trammell was named the Series MVP. Let the fun resume.