Here's our take on the AL Central for the upcoming 2014 season.
1st Place: Detroit Tigers
This is one of the easiest picks of our 2014 previews/predictions. They have three top-notch arms at the top of their rotation, and they have a nice, well-rounded lineup with speed and power. If Justin Verlander gets back to his pre-2013 form, then lookout, Detroit could once again be representing the AL in the Fall Classic. They need to address their shortstop issue though, preferably adding one that can hit to help out the lineup. Stephen Drew could help them.
2nd Place: Kansas City Royals (AL Wild Card)
I really like the Royals young lineup, as they have a ton of guys who I think are primed for big seasons. Alex Gordon needs to breakout and hit 30 jacks and .300 already, and Salvador Perez looks like he may be the best young hitting catcher in the AL. Outside of James Shields and Greg Holland, their pitching staff has questions but they have some young talented arms. If they can get consistent starting pitching, that lineup should be able to score plenty of runs and I think this team can surprise in a weak division.
3rd Place: Cleveland Indians
The Indians have a pretty well rounded lineup, although they don't have a ton of power, they have good hitters that get on base and can run. Their young rotation is really looking like it's going to be a strength for years to come. Justin Masterson had a very nice season last year and returns as the ace. The bullpen has some areas for concern, and may need to be addressed at some point.
4th Place: Chicago White Sox
It's likely going to be a long summer on the South side this year. The best thing they have going for them are the three bright young bats they have in their lineup (Avasail Garcia, Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton) as well as their ace Chris Sale. Other than that, they don't have much and will struggle to keep teams off the board.
5th Place: Minnesota Twins
The Twins are going to be one of the worst teams in all of baseball in 2014, and I think they're pretty much prepared for it. Outside of Joe Mauer, I don't think they had a single guy hit over .250 in that lineup a year ago, and they didn't really make any improvements. The pitching staff is full of guys who are decent at their absolute best, but average to below average consistently. It wouldn't surprise me if they flirt with 100 losses this year.
AL Central
1st Place: Detroit Tigers
This is one of the easiest picks of our 2014 previews/predictions. They have three top-notch arms at the top of their rotation, and they have a nice, well-rounded lineup with speed and power. If Justin Verlander gets back to his pre-2013 form, then lookout, Detroit could once again be representing the AL in the Fall Classic. They need to address their shortstop issue though, preferably adding one that can hit to help out the lineup. Stephen Drew could help them.
2nd Place: Kansas City Royals (AL Wild Card)
I really like the Royals young lineup, as they have a ton of guys who I think are primed for big seasons. Alex Gordon needs to breakout and hit 30 jacks and .300 already, and Salvador Perez looks like he may be the best young hitting catcher in the AL. Outside of James Shields and Greg Holland, their pitching staff has questions but they have some young talented arms. If they can get consistent starting pitching, that lineup should be able to score plenty of runs and I think this team can surprise in a weak division.
3rd Place: Cleveland Indians
The Indians have a pretty well rounded lineup, although they don't have a ton of power, they have good hitters that get on base and can run. Their young rotation is really looking like it's going to be a strength for years to come. Justin Masterson had a very nice season last year and returns as the ace. The bullpen has some areas for concern, and may need to be addressed at some point.
4th Place: Chicago White Sox
It's likely going to be a long summer on the South side this year. The best thing they have going for them are the three bright young bats they have in their lineup (Avasail Garcia, Jose Abreu and Adam Eaton) as well as their ace Chris Sale. Other than that, they don't have much and will struggle to keep teams off the board.
5th Place: Minnesota Twins
The Twins are going to be one of the worst teams in all of baseball in 2014, and I think they're pretty much prepared for it. Outside of Joe Mauer, I don't think they had a single guy hit over .250 in that lineup a year ago, and they didn't really make any improvements. The pitching staff is full of guys who are decent at their absolute best, but average to below average consistently. It wouldn't surprise me if they flirt with 100 losses this year.
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