by Scott Rickenbach
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024AL Central Division Preview for MLB 2024
First number is the estimated projected wins per sportsbook odds while the second number is last season’s win total. This is followed by quick information on each team that likely impacts their season.
Chicago White Sox – 61.5 projected wins. Last season 61 wins. There is just not much here with this team and they were near the bottom of the league across the board for most statistical team categories last season. They just do not have the talent in pitchers, relievers, or the lineup. They need to rebuild.
Cleveland Guardians – 79.5 projected wins. Last season 76 wins. This team is so bad offensively and did not address that. For that reason I will be surprised if this team tops last season’s 76 wins. Keep in mind, the Tigers have been improving and the Royals look much improved this season. This Guardians club could struggle again. They are decent pitching-wise but will Triston McKenzie be back and pitching the way he use to?
Detroit Tigers – 80.5 projected wins. Last season 78 wins. I like rooting for dogs and the Tigers have come a long way from a tougher period in recent seasons. That said, the Tigers could even challenge the Twins in this division. Detroit has a decent lineup. Not great but scrappy and should do enough here to keep them in most games. That’s because their pitching looks quite solid with decent starts and Casey Mize is back in the rotation and is showing glimpses of his 2022 self.
Kansas City Royals – 74.5 projected wins. Last season 56 wins. Maybe expecting a 20-win improvement is too much but this team did improve the pitching quite a bit as they re-worked both the rotation and bullpen. Also, the fact the lineup looks mostly the same in terms of position players will at least lead to projected continuity for this group. KC was not a great hitting team last season but they were at least middle of the pack for batting average. In a weak division, they could surprise here.
Minnesota Twins – 86.5 projected wins. Last season 87 wins. Not a great team but strong enough for this division! The Twins took advantage last season of playing in a division in which two of the other 4 teams averaged just 58.5 wins. They have a solid guy at the top of rotation in Pablo Lopez but I don’t trust their other guys too much outside of Joe Ryan. This team has a solid lineup at the top but again it really is questionable at the back. They are the top team in the Central but will not dominate.
First number is the estimated projected wins per sportsbook odds while the second number is last season’s win total. This is followed by quick information on each team that likely impacts their season.
Chicago White Sox – 61.5 projected wins. Last season 61 wins. There is just not much here with this team and they were near the bottom of the league across the board for most statistical team categories last season. They just do not have the talent in pitchers, relievers, or the lineup. They need to rebuild.
Cleveland Guardians – 79.5 projected wins. Last season 76 wins. This team is so bad offensively and did not address that. For that reason I will be surprised if this team tops last season’s 76 wins. Keep in mind, the Tigers have been improving and the Royals look much improved this season. This Guardians club could struggle again. They are decent pitching-wise but will Triston McKenzie be back and pitching the way he use to?
Detroit Tigers – 80.5 projected wins. Last season 78 wins. I like rooting for dogs and the Tigers have come a long way from a tougher period in recent seasons. That said, the Tigers could even challenge the Twins in this division. Detroit has a decent lineup. Not great but scrappy and should do enough here to keep them in most games. That’s because their pitching looks quite solid with decent starts and Casey Mize is back in the rotation and is showing glimpses of his 2022 self.
Kansas City Royals – 74.5 projected wins. Last season 56 wins. Maybe expecting a 20-win improvement is too much but this team did improve the pitching quite a bit as they re-worked both the rotation and bullpen. Also, the fact the lineup looks mostly the same in terms of position players will at least lead to projected continuity for this group. KC was not a great hitting team last season but they were at least middle of the pack for batting average. In a weak division, they could surprise here.
Minnesota Twins – 86.5 projected wins. Last season 87 wins. Not a great team but strong enough for this division! The Twins took advantage last season of playing in a division in which two of the other 4 teams averaged just 58.5 wins. They have a solid guy at the top of rotation in Pablo Lopez but I don’t trust their other guys too much outside of Joe Ryan. This team has a solid lineup at the top but again it really is questionable at the back. They are the top team in the Central but will not dominate.
