The American League Central will be top-heavy this year. The Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers will be good, but, for the most part, the other teams in the division will not be that good. The teams in the American League Central will provide entertainment for Midwesterners this summer, but they will not be of much consequence in the pennant race. We will review the major free agent acquisitions in the American League Central.
The Cleveland Guardians-Detroit Tigers will be marquee games, but not many of the other matchups will be that interesting. That said, hope does spring eternal, maybe the Chicago White Sox will win the World Series. Do you think a team may come out of the American League Central to win the World Series?
American League Central Winners: Tigers
The Detroit Tigers should win the American League Central division and finish 91-71. The Detroit Tigers will look to ride former Yankees Gleyber Torres and Tommy Kahnle The Detroit Tigers have much talent coming back, including the best pitcher in baseball, Tarik Skubal. Maybe Kahnle will throw only change ups for the Tigers.
Cleveland Guardians: A Second American League Wild Card Team
The Cleveland Guardians will push the Detroit Tigers all season and also make the playoffs. The Cleveland Guardians will be 88-74 and be a wild card team. The key question for them is whether Jose Ramirez will continue to cheat “Father Time,” or whether the Guardians will get another hitter to protect Ramirez. They have the prospects to do so.
Kansas City Royals: Finish At .500
The Kansas City Royals will be an average team, they should finish 81-81. The Kansas City Royals went 33-19 within the American League Central last year, aided by going 12-1 against the hapless Chicago White Sox. They won the season series against the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers as well. It matters if their veterans can play at the same level in 2025.
Minnesota Twins: Another Long Summer
Oh, where have you gone Rod Carew? The struggles for the Minnesota Twins should continue as they are predicted to finish 77-85, which should place them fourth in the American League Central. A key question for the Minnesota Twin will be can Joe Ryan’s improvement continue in 2025.
In 2024, Ryan allowed his lowest career rates of walks hits, and homers and finished with a 0.99 WHIP. If he qualified, that would have put him a lofty fourth among AL starting pitchers. The Minnesota Twins need him to lead their pitching staff if they are to be successful.
Hapless Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox were the worst team in baseball history last season and made, or did not make, several plays that Little League teams make. The Chicago White Sox will have some improvements in 2025 because they cannot possibly get any worse than they were last year. Can they? A dismal record of 46-116 is predicted for them. Help is not on the way. The Chicago White Sox also have the worst farm system in baseball.
Conclusion
We predict the Detroit Tigers will win the American League Central with a 91-71 record. Cleveland should finish 88-74, or very close to the Tigers. This should go to the final week of the season with both teams making the MLB Playoffs. The Kansas City Royals are going to hover around .500 all season and they need their many veterans to hit.
The Minnesota Twins will have another season of struggle with a 77-85 record. The Chicago White Sox will bring up the rear for all of baseball going 46-116. It remains to be seen if they will have as many bloopers in 2025.
