MLB: Patrick Lacey's 2011 Preview and Predictions (Pre-Spring Training Edition)

First off, I would like to say that this is my first Bleacher Report article in over two years. With that being said, I can't wait to get back into the swing of things (baseball pun intended) and start producing quality previews and predictions that the wonderful community of B/R deserve!

So without further ado, I bring you my first of many articles in the young year that is 2011, with my pre-spring training edition of my MLB preview and predictions. After all, it's never too early to make predictions.

There's no better way to start looking ahead, than to look at the past, as George Santayana once said "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it." 

2010 was a season of firsts, a season of surprise, and a season that proved that parity DOES exist in a league that has recently been dominated by a few elite teams with elite payrolls.

With the Texas Rangers taking down the Tampa Bay Rays, and the perennial power that is the "Evil Empire" they not only won their first and second playoff series' in franchise history, but they removed themselves from the ever shortening list of teams that have not made a World Series.

Behind the dominant arm of Cliff Lee, the Rangers made one of the greatest mid-season trades in the history of baseball, not only allowing them to make a series push in the playoffs, but that transaction alone cemented the Rangers' first AL West Pennant in over a decade.

Now let us take a look at the National League. The beard was feared throughout the post-season, as closer Brian Wilson was the closest thing to untouchable, his facial hair was also untouchable by a much needed razor.

The San Francisco Giants made their own improbable run to their first World Series win in over half a century. A team of nobodies and has beens is what many labeled this team as, but that is what made this team so successful. Think of it as 25 players with a chip on their shoulder.

With solid starting pitching, and a resilient and scrappy, take what you get kind of mentality, the Giants beat the Braves in the opening round of the playoffs, but not many would have expected them to take down the class of the National League in the Philadelphia Phillies.

Although ratings were down, and none of the perennial powers were featured in last year's fall classic, can we expect more of the same? 

Only time will tell, but I'm here to tell you right now.

Here's how I believe the 30 teams will fare this season

AL West

1. Texas Rangers

2. Oakland Athletics

3. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

4. Seattle Mariners

AL Central

1. Chicago White Sox

2. Detroit Tigers

3. Minnesota Twins

4. Kansas City Royals

5. Cleveland Indians

AL East

1. Boston Red Sox

2. New York Yankees (Wild Card)

3. Tampa Bay Rays

4. Toronto Blue Jays

5. Baltimore Orioles

NL West

1. San Francisco

2. Colorado Rockies

3. Los Angeles Dodgers

4. San Diego Padres

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

NL Central

1. St. Louis Cardinals

2. Cincinnati Reds (Wild Card)

3. Milwaukee Brewers

4. Chicago Cubs

5. Houston Astros

6. Pittsburgh Pirates

NL East

1. Philadelphia Phillies

2. Florida Marlins

3. Atlanta Braves

4. Washington Nationals

5. New York Mets 

Playoffs 

American League

Boston defeats Chicago

Texas defeats New York

Boston defeats Texas

National League

Philadelphia defeats Cincinnati

St. Louis defeats San Francisco

Philadelphia defeats St. Louis

World Series

Philadelphia defeats Boston 

With a little over a month until pitchers and catchers report, stay tuned to see a team by team report each day until all 30 teams have been covered.