The AL Central is always a hit-or-miss division, except for the Tigers. Detroit is where everyone expected. And the other teams are trailing behind where everyone expected they would be. But every year it seems like there is a surprise in this division, and it looks like that will also happen this year.
Detroit Tigers (53-38)- Don't let that record fool you. The Tigers are actually starting to look vulnerable this year. Verlander has been awful, going through a Tim Lincecum type transformation. Miguel Cabrera has look awfully human this year. Max Scherzer's Cy Young year is looking like an aberration. Scherzer as been solid, along with Rick Porcello and Anibal Sanchez, but the other two pieces in the rotation, Smyly and Verlander, get roughed up a lot. The bullpen isn't much better better, especially when one of your two most reliable relievers is named Joba Chamberlain. The offense has been good, though. Kinsler has really thrived in Detroit. Even though Cabrera looks human, he is still having a solid year. Victor Martinez is having an insanely good year. Castellanos is pretty disappointing, though. Alex Avila and Austin Jackson are also having rough years. This is a team starting to look beatable. They need to add a starter, bullpen arms, and a bat to really run away with the division, though.
Final Record Prediction: 92-70, 2nd in the AL Central, *2nd Wild Card
Final Record Prediction: 92-70, 2nd in the AL Central, *2nd Wild Card
Kansas City Royals (48-46)- This team is 6.5 GB, but they have proven they can beat the Tigers. This team is too streaky, though. They need to consistently string together more wins. The pitching is the team's strong point. Jason Vargas, Danny Duffy, and Yordano Ventura have all really stepped up their games. James Shields is a nice anchor for the rotation, too. I think a key for them is for Ventura to pitch deeper into games. He needs to give them more innings. The team has a pretty dominant bullpen. The team needs more consistency from the bats, though. If Mike Moustakas can continue his improvement, then this team could be a serious threat in the playoffs. They need another power bat. If they can go out and grab someone like Alex Rios or Adrian Beltre, this team will be a huge threat. With another bat or two, this team can overtake Detroit.
Final Record Prediction: 93-69, 1st in the AL Central
Final Record Prediction: 93-69, 1st in the AL Central
Cleveland Indians (47-47)- The Indians have been a disappointment this season. The main cause of that is pitching. Losing Jimenez hurt, Masterson has been lost all season, and Salazar pitched his way too the minors. Corey Kluber has been the rock of the rotation. Trevor Bauer is unpredictable from start to start, but has been fairly solid. On offense, Carlos Santana and Nick Swisher have had rough first halves. Part of the problem with Santana can probably be attributed to lack of a set position. He moved around a lot. The Indians have enjoyed breakout seasons for Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall. Jason Kipnis hasn't produced as expected, although he was injured for part of the year. Now Bourn is on the DL. If Cleveland wants to stay in the race, they will have to make some moves at the deadline. They need to grab to quality arms for the rotation and another 2 power bats. I don't see them making that many moves, so Cleveland will eventually fall completely out of the race in the second-half.
Final Record Prediction: 79-83, 4th in the AL Central
Final Record Prediction: 79-83, 4th in the AL Central
Chicago White Sox (45-51)- The White Sox don't completely suck this year. They are only 6 games under .500. The offense is solid. Alexei Ramirez has had one of his better years. Adam Eaton is solid. Connor Gillaspie is really good this year. And Jose Abreu has taken over baseball. This kid is amazing. He flicks his bat and the ball is gone. This was a great move by Rick Hahn. Abreu will definitely help lead this team to the playoffs. If they want to make it this year, they have to add some pitching. They need another solid starter. Chris Sale is a CY Young candidate again this year, Jose Quintana is quietly putting together one of the better years in baseball, and John Danks has been solid. They need another solid pitcher to really make this rotation a threat. They also need some bullpen help. They don't have a consistent bullpen, what with only two great pitchers. They could make some noise this year, but they won't make it to the playoffs.
Final Record Prediction: 80-82, 3rd in the AL Central
Final Record Prediction: 80-82, 3rd in the AL Central
Minnesota Twins (44-50)- Minnesota also dosesn't completely suck this year. They have been getting some surprise contributions. Phil Hughes has thrived in the pitcher friendly confines of Target Field. Brian Dozier has been a surprise. Heck, Kurt Suzuki is making contact with everything. Joe Mauer is a key player for this team. If they want to finish above .500, he has to start hitting somewhat close to the Mauer of old. The team also needs to have Ricky Nolasco pitch better. He hasn't been worth a dime. The Twins aren't going to the playoffs this year, but they are trying to get back to at least .500. They will need some players to improve for that to happen.
Final Record Prediction: 77-85, Last in the AL Central
Final Record Prediction: 77-85, Last in the AL Central
You may not agree with the Royals over the Tigers, but I believe the Tigers will falter as the season wears on. Just today Miggy and Verlander both said they weren't at 100%. If they get there, then the Tigers are the favorites. One thing is very clear from watching this division. It is about to turn into a 5 team race in the next couple of years.