The Line – Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:49 pm
MLB Baseball Futures Odds – 2019 AL Central Predictions
Looking for 2019 AL Central Predictions? Many questions surround this season’s AL Central. Chief among these interrogatives include Cleveland’s ability to safeguard its division crown despite losing major bats this winter. Another key element is whether Minnesota’s improvement is enough to push the Twins past Cleveland for divisional honors.
Other narratives include the collective states of rebuilding Chicago, Detroit, and Kansas City.
Here’s a closer look at the 2019 AL Central.
AL Central Predictions & Handicapping Insight
Cleveland Indians AL Central Predictions
Indians AL Central Division Odds: -350
Cleveland Indians Win Total Odds: 90.5
Sporting an elite starting rotation and experienced core, the 2019 Indians are projected to make a fourth-consecutive postseason appearance: and despite key offseason losses, as mentioned, win another AL Central crown.
Corey Kluber leads the Indians’ collection of mound talent. Last season the 32-year-old RHP won twenty games while striking out 222 batters behind a flashy 2.8 ERA.
Kluber is joined by Carlos Carrasco (17-10, 3.3 ERA), Mike Clevinger (13-8, 3.02 ERA), Trevor Bauer (12-6, 2.2 ERA), and Shane Bieber (11-5, 4.5 ERA) to form the AL’s most complete starting five.
Blessed with big opening arms, however, the Indians’ bullpen ranks as the team’s major weakness. Last season opponents found success against Cleveland’s middle relief corps. Curiously, this issue wasn’t addressed during a subpar offseason for the small market contenders.
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Nevertheless, Cleveland’s star tandem of 3B Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor add enough offense for this regressed Indians club to likely defend its crown in baseball’s weakest division.
Though, that’s a benefit-of-doubt assumption considering Cleveland did little to replace lost standouts Edwin Encarnacion, Yan Gomes and Michael Brantley.
Chicago White Sox AL Central Predictions
White Sox AL Central Division Odds: +2800
White Sox Win Total Odds: 74.5
Vegas slates the prospect heavy White Sox’ win total to increase by 12.5 games this season. That valuation speaks to how well skipper Rick Renteria has brought along his young talent through the franchise’s prolonged rebuild.
This season, Yoan Moncada, Jose Abreu, and Tim Anderson seek continued improvement as solid veterans Yonder Alonso and John Jay enter the mix.
Many scouts see potential in this Chicago club. So much so, the consensus is that with some pitching help the White Sox are just one or two seasons from contending in the AL Central.
That’s not bad news for a team that won just 62 games a year ago.
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Detroit Tigers AL Central Predictions
Tigers AL Central Division Odds: +4000
Tigers Win Toptal Odds: 68.5
With one of MLB’s highest team ERA’s, Detroit is again predicted to finish last in the AL Central. Scouts say the woeful Tigers are in year two of a four year rebuild which will probably see the club unload all its remaining familiar, productive talent for prospects.
Don’t be surprised to see Miguel Cabrera, if any team will absorb his contract, and Nick Castellanos shipped this year.
WIth low-end prospects, faded veterans and an ingrained losing culture it’s hard to find bright spots for the 19 Tigers. However, one bright spot is that a couple of everyday players may rise from Detroit’s floatsam collection.
That’s the beauty of baseball, even at its worst.
Kansas City Royals AL Central Predictions
Royals AL Central Division Odds: +3500
Royals Win Total Odds: 69.5
Yet another AL Central team amid a rebuild, Kansas City hopes to compete now. Unfortunately, neither Vegas nor top MLB scouts see this group rising above 70-75 wins. The injury to Salvador Perez further jams those prospects.
In another down season, expect decent performances from Whit Merrifield, Adalberto Mondesi, and Jorge Soler.
Along the way other prospects will try to find their footing among the Royals’ long climb back to respectability.
2015 World Series Champion Manager Ned Yost again has hard development work ahead of him.
Minnesota Twins AL East Predictions
Twins AL Central Division Odds: +240
Twins Win Total Odds: 84.5
From 78 wins to division contender. That’s how little MLB-caliber talent resides in this season’s AL Central.
Yet, of all the division’s current rebuilds, Minnesota’s is closest to complete. And their prospect Byron Bruxton is the most highly regarded. If Bruxton and the likes of Nelson Cruz, Eddie Rosario, CJ Cron and Jonathon Schoop produce then this Twins collection could become a surprise MLB division winner this fall.
Though, for that to happen, many hurdles of inexperience, lax practice habits, and organizational question marks must be overcome.
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In a division this chaotic Cleveland still stands, at least on paper, as the odds-on favorite. However, it will be intriguing to witness the four AL Central rebuilding projects unfold in real time. And it’s that unpredictability which gives the AL Central greater appeal as virtually anything can happen nightly between these five teams from a competitive standpoint.
What do you think of our 2019 AL Central predictions? More MLB divisions are also previewed. Comments are welcome below.
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