I found it very interesting, bordering on the absurd, that literally every single one of the 45 analysts at ESPN picked the Red Sox to win the AL East in 2011 - every. single. one. Not one of them picked the Yankees to win their division. Not one picked the Blue Jays to make a surprise challenge. Also the vast overwhelming majority picked the Red Sox to win it all 33/45. (Not to laugh too much because I also picked the Red Sox to win their division and compete for the World Series). Further, not one analyst picked the Cardinals to even reach the World Series...or even come close. If you do not click on the link, and merely read the title (and this), note that the 2011 predictions in the link covers 45 ESPN analysts. Think about that: all 45 analysts picked the Red Sox to win the AL East. 33 of those 45 analysts picked Boston to win the World Series. Not one picked the Cardinals to even reach the World Series. Also of interesting note, nearly half (22) of the analysts picked the Rockies to win the NL West and one picked them to win the World Series. Not one of them picked the Diamond backs to even do so much as win the Wild Card. If you click the link and simply observe the predictions and then think about how the season actually panned out, you see some startling thing. I know most of us here scoff at ESPN baseball coverage...me included, but seriously these were the prediction numbers of 45 2011 preseason analysts at one of the largest sports networks in the world. I find the contrast between the predictions (including number and reputation) and reality to be fascinating.