The Boys of Summer 2

Yesterday we semi broke down the AL and gave you our pick to go to the World Series. Today we will breakdown the NL and give our nod to which team moves on to the 'Fall Classic'. Staying to form we will start in the East where there will be only two teams worth mentioning, the obvious Phillies and the always competitive Braves. As I mentioned, the Phils are the obvious as they have the best pitching with three of their starters, Halladay, Hamels, and Lee in the top 10 in ERA and wins at the midway point. They also account for 31 of the Phils 57 wins. Right there with them though are the Braves, with a pretty darn good staff themselves. Two, Jurrgens and Hanson are in the top 3 in ERA and wins. Then you have Tim Hudson and Derek Lowe who can hold their own. With that said, we still think it will be the Phillies in the East, barring any major injuries to that staff.


In the Central we see a good race unfolding with the Brewers and Cards. The Pirates are only a game back but we just don't see them there down the stretch. Forget about the Cubbies and who's that other team ? In the end it's pretty much a toss up, but we'll give the nod to the Cards who arguably have the best player in baseball with Pujols.

How the West is won once again, is with shut down pitching. And that would be your defending Champion San Francisco Giants. I know some out there would argue that they don't have the offense to keep them in the hunt, but they should have Posey back and I think their bats will be there down the stretch(going on a hunch). Here is a division that quite honestly intrigues me, as I can't figure out the Rockies(8.5 games back) or Dodgers(11 games back). I really thought the Rockies would be much better than they have been playing, especially their offense. The Dodgers are all together another issue, as they have two players in the top 10 in hitting(avg) and two pitchers, Kershaw and Kuroda in the top 10 in pitching(ERA). Probably too much turmoil and uncertainty in LA !? Oh, I almost forgot to mention the team that currently sits in second place, the DBacks. They are a scrappy team and will be right there contending, but the nod still goes to the Giants.

 So, for the playoffs we are going with the Phillies, Cards, Giants, and our Wild Card will be the Braves. Our nod to represent the NL in the 'Fall Classic' will be, drum roll please...once again, the San Francisco Giants ! You now have our picks for the 2011 'Fall Classic'. We now wonder who might join that list of 'Fall Classic' legends, and become 'World Series Heroes' themselves ?!?