Every year, the American League Central seems to be bypassed by baseball fans because of the two juggernaut divisions on either side of the division.
But truth be told, this could be the most fun division race in the American League with so many teams vying for the crown.
The Royals, Indians, White Sox, Twins and Tigers will all be vying for the crown with the Twins could be a surprise team in 2014.
So, who wins the AL Central in 2014?
Minnesota Twins
Joe Mauer will need to lead the Twins yet again this year. Photo by Jesse Johnson, USA Today Sports Images.
- Unfortunately for the city that is hosting the All-Star Game this year, they may have just one representative in hometown star Joe Mauer.
The Twins have a young star waiting in the wings in Byron Buxton, but he will not be called up until summertime and had an injury setback. The Twins lineup is lacking a few things considering the middle of the lineup is currently Chris Colabello and Jason Kubel. Where both players are good hitters in the major leagues, neither should be the featured part of a lineup with Joe Mauer.
The Twins need Buxton to come up and dominate right away to give the lineup a shot at being one of the better ones in the division. Next year, Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton will be ready to go, so the Twins could be a sleeper next season.
The Twins usually have a good rotation, with names like Johan Santana, Kyle Lohse, Francisco Liriano and more, but those days are seemingly over as their rotation is now led by Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes. While the aforementioned are good pitchers, they are best suited as third or fourth starters in the rotation. The Twins will need a rookie to come up and be the ace if they are going to compete this season. Right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer, who Baseball America has as the organization’s third-best prospect, could be an option.
Chicago White Sox
Jose Abreu squares up a pitch. Photo by David Banks, USA Today Sports Images.
Spring is approaching in Chicago, which means it’s time to watch the Blackhawks make a Stanley Cup run. But Chicagoans love baseball, and the best baseball team in the city is the White Sox.
With Avisail Garcia going down for the season a few nights ago due to a torn labrum, the White Sox lineup took a hit. But, remember the amount of depth this team has as far as hitters are concerned. Jose Abreu is the real deal, stroking four home runs in two games. Alexei Ramirez is still one of the better shortstops in the game and Adam Dunn is still capable of hitting over 30 home runs. In addition, with Adam Eaton at the top of the order, the White Sox will score runs.
But can the rotation prevent other teams from scoring?
Chris Sale is one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game today, but after him there are questions on the staff. John Danks is a decent starter in the big leagues, but he is not a number two. The Sox will need big seasons from him, Jose Quintana and Felipe Paulino to make a run for the division title.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals will need more home run trots from Alex Gordon to win the AL Central. Photo by Peter Aiken, USA Today Sports Images
Is this the year the Royals get back to the postseason? George Brett and the Kansas City faithful hope so.
The Royals lineup is an underrated bunch with some young stars like Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon and Salvador Perez. But, the thing about the Royals’ lineup is the depth. Norichiki Aoki, Omar Infante (when healthy) and the middle of the order includes Billy Butler with Hosmer, Perez and Gordon. The Royals lineup will score, because of six legitimate big-time hitters.
Kansas City’s rotation could be the downfall though, because of the lack of a true number one. Rookie Yordano Ventura looks to be a star in the making, but with James Shields as the team’s ace, everyone will need to pitch very well to make a run in the AL Central. Jeremy Guthrie, Jason Vargas and Bruce Chen round out the Royals rotation.
Cleveland Indians
Carlos Santana looks towards the play. Photo by Rick Osentoski, USA Today Sports Images.
The Indians can flat out rake. With a handful of hitters that could be in the middle of most lineups in the major leagues, the Indians are set to make a run at the division.
Michael Brantley, Jason Kipnis, Nick Swisher, Carlos Santana, Yan Gomes, Jason Giambi (when healthy) and Asdrubal Cabrera make up a very good lineup with some pop. Once Michael Bourn gets back and anchors the lineup, there is no telling how many runs the Indians can score.
But, can they pitch?
Not many people are high on the Indians rotation, but maybe they should be. Justin Masterson is not a bonafide ace, though he is a very, very good number two. Add him to a stable of Corey Kluber, Zach McAllister, and Danny Salazar and the Indians could make a serious run for the division crown. If Cleveland can play to their potential and the pitchers stay healthy, we could see the Tribe head back to the postseason.
Detroit Tigers
Can Torii Hunter and the Tigers win the AL Central? Photo by Rick Osentoski, USA Today Sports Images.
Losing Prince Fielder hurts, but the Tigers added Ian Kinsler, who has already been wreaking havoc on opposing pitchers and setting the table nicely for Miguel Cabrera and the gang. Kinsler is followed by Torii Hunter, Cabrera, Victor Martinez and Austin Jackson in what could be one of the better right-handed lineups in the major leagues. The Tigers’ lineup will go as Miguel Cabrera goes, and recently that has been a long way.
The Tigers rotation took a big hit after trading Doug Fister to the Nationals, but they still have two of the better pitchers in the American League in Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. Can the rest of the rotation hold up? Anibal Sanchez, Rick Porcello and Drew Smyly have the talent to do it, but can they all put it together?
Who wins the AL Central?
Photo: Rick Osentoski, USA Today Sports Images