The Detroit Tigers have owned the AL Central for four years now, but teams like the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians may finally be ready to challenge the top cats for the pennant in 2015. Will the Tigers extend their rule in the division? Or will a new team be crowned as the AL Central champ come September? Read on for a breakdown of this fascinating divisional battle.
If it’s a wider breakdown you’re after, don’t miss our compendium of expert picks for the 2015 season, or our look at other divisions like the AL East.
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Favorites – Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox
Over the past four seasons, the AL Central has seen just one champion in the Tigers. They’ve obviously built a dynasty there, and continuing their dominance mostly rests on the shoulders of the offense led by Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, and new addition Yoenis Cespedes.
[sc:MLB240banner ]That’s not a knock on David Price and the rest of the team’s pitching staff. That just means that without Max Scherzer and with Justin Verlander coming off a subpar 2014, there are more questions about the rotation now than their have been in recent seasons. That being said, the Tigers remain the faves to win the division with a price of +185.
Looking over the shoulders of Detroit, meanwhile, are the new-look White Sox, who made quite a splash this offseason. The South Siders added some solid pieces to the roster in Jeff Samardzija, Melky Cabrera, and Adam LaRoche. Samardzija figures to form a formidable 1-2-3 pitching rotation with Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. Cabrera and LaRoche, meanwhile, spell a better offense for Chicago (+275) that finished last season 13th in runs with 660.
Sleeper – Cleveland Indians
If you’re the type of person who believes in curses and jinx, then seeing Corey Kluber and Michael Brantley gracing the cover of a recent Sports Illustrated issue is enough to drive you away from picking the Indians (+275) to win the division.
Fortunately for the Indians, baseball doesn’t work that way and Terry Francona and his team enters the 2015 season with a lot of positives. Led by reigning AL Cy Young winner Kluber, the Tribe boasts of a rotation that also includes Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Danny Salazar and T.J. House. The offense, on the other hand, received a shot in the arm with the acquisition of former Oakland home run machine, Brandon Moss.
A glaring defensive weakness, however, might weigh the team down again just like last season when the Indians finished last in the majors in UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating).
Player to Watch – Chris Sale
Talent has never been a question for Sale. Health has. The White Sox’s ace led the team last season in wins (12), ERA (2.17) and strikeouts (208) despite missing six starts due to a flexor strain. While the White Sox solidified its rotation with the arrival of Samardzija, there will likely be not much improvement from last year if Sale misses a significant amount of time this 2015.
He’s already pegged to miss at least one start this season after suffering a foot injury late February, one that required him to miss at least three weeks of baseball activities. The bottom line is that if the Sox are to end Detroit’s reign in the division, they’ll have to hope that Sale avoids any major injury.
Key Storyline – Can the Detroit Tigers continue their dominance of the division?
The Tigers won the division last season by the skin of their teeth, finishing ahead by just a game over the second place Kansas City Royals (+400). With the way the White Sox bulked up and the Indians’ trending up, the Tigers’ hold on the division seeems bound to end. Detroit’s fate will largely depend on whether Justin Verlander can bounce back from an underwhelming season, and if the lineup lives up to the expectations.
Writer’s Prediction
Detroit wins its fifth-straight AL Central crown, while Cleveland finishes second. The rest in order of finish: White Sox, Royals, Twins. Create a betting account now and put your own prediction to the test.
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