A.L. Central preview: Cleveland should rock-n-roll
Guardians look to defend their division title.
CLEVELAND GUARDIANS
2022 Record: 92-70.
Rank in AL Runs: 6th.
Runs Allowed: 5th.
Manager: Terry Francona.
Rotation: Shane Bieber, Cal Quantrill, Anthony Civale, Zach Plesac, Hunter Gaddis.
Bullpen: Eli Morgan, James Karinchak, Sam Hentges, Trevor Stephan, Nick Sandlin, Tim Herrin.
Closer: Emmanuel Clase.
LIneup: 1B Josh Naylor, 2B Andres Gimenez, SS Amed Rosario, 3B Jose Ramirez, LF Stephen Kwan, CF Myles Straw, RF Oscar Gonzalez, DH Josh Bell, C Mike Zunino.
DL: RHP Triston McKenzie.
Fun Fact: Guardians and Astros were the only teams in the league that struck out fewer than 1,,200 times.
Projection: First. Feisty offense, and a system that pumps out pitchers.
MINNESOTA TWINS
2022 Record: 78–84.
Rank in AL Runs: 7th.
Runs Allowed: 9th.
Manager: Rocco Baldelli.
Rotation: Pablo Lopez, Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle, Kenta Maeda, Joe Ryan.
Relief: Jorge Lopez, Garrett Jax, Caleb Thielbar, Emilio Pagan, Jorge Alcala, Jovani Moran.
Closer: Jhoan Duran.
Lineup: 1B Alex Kiriloff, 2B Jorge Polanco, SS Carlos Correa, 3B Jose Miranda, LF Joey Gallo, CF Michael Taylor, RF Max Kepler, C Christian Vazquez. DH Byron Buxton.
DL: SS Royce Lewis.
Fun Fact: In 32 starts, Ryan’s batting average-against is .204 with an OPS of .557.
Projection: Second, presupposing that Buxton can get on the field and stay there.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
2022 Record: 81-81.
Rank in AL Runs: 9th.
Runs Allowed: 10th.
Manager: Pedro Grifol.
Rotation: Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, Mike Clevinger.
Bullpen: Reynaldo Lopez, Joe Kelly, Jake Diekman, Jose Ruiz, Jimmy Lambert, Gregory Santos, Nick Avila.
Closer: Kendall Graveman.
Lineup: 1B Andrew Vaughn, 2B Elvis Andrus, SS Tim Anderson, 3B Yoan Moncada LF Andrew Benintendi, CF Luis Robert, RF Gavin Sheets, C Yasmani Grandal, DH Eloy Jimenez.
DL: RHP Liam Hendricks, LHP Garrett Crochet. RHP Matt Foster.
Fun Fact: Only one returning position player (Vaughn) had over 500 plate appearances in 2022.
Projection: Third. Will go as far as a veteran rotation takes them.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
2022 Record: 65-97.
Rank in AL Runs: 12th.
Runs Allowed: 15th.
Manager: Matt Quartaro.
Rotation: Brady Singer, Zack Greinke, Jordan Lyles, Brad Keller, Kris Bubic.,
Bullpen: Dylan Coleman, Amir Garrett, Taylor Clarke, Carlos Hernandez, Aroldis Chapman.
Closer: Scott Barlow.
Lineup: 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, 2B Michael Massey, SS Bobby Witt Jr., 3B Hunter Dozier, LF Nathan Eaton, CF Kyle Isbel, RF Edward Olivares, C Salvador Perez, DH Miguel Melendez.
DL: LHP Daniel Lynch.
Fun Fact: As a rookie Witt had 20 homers and 30 steals, could reach 30-40 this season.
Projection: Fourth. Brutal pitching is holding back a young, talented lineup.
DETROIT TIGERS
2022 Record: 66-96.
Rank in AL Runs: 15th.
Runs Allowed: 6th.
Manager: A.J. Hinch.
Rotation: Eduardo Rodriguez, Spencer Turnbull, Matt Boyd, Matt Manning, Michael Lorenzen.
Bullpen: Tyler Alexander, Trey Wingeter, Mason Englert, Garrett Hill, Tyler Holton, Jose Cisnero, Jason Foley,
Closer: Alex Lange.
Lineup: 1B Spencer Torkelson, 2B Jonathan Schoop, SS Javier Baez, 3B Nick Maton, LF Matt Vierling, CF Riley Greene, RF Austin Meadows, C Eric Haase, DH Miguel Cabrera.
Fun Fact: The Tigers’ .632 team OPS was their lowest since 1905.
Projection: Fifth. A shame to see the old, proud franchises go to seed.