Oddsmakers are betting on a repeat performance from the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central. But it won’t come without a little competition from the Cleveland Indians.
The Royals are the favorite to win the Central, going off at +110, while the Indians are next in line at +250. Last season, the Royals won the World Series and finished with 95 wins.
Cleveland, on the other hand, completed the season one game over .500.
Despite finishing second last season in the division at 83-79, the Minnesota Twins are the longest-shot to compete in the Central this season. Oddsmakers have the Twins at +1000, while Detroit, one of the favorites heading into 2015, is at +400.
The Tigers sputtered throughout the season and ended 2015 in last place in the division. The Chicago White Sox are at +600.
The 2015 season was a bit of an odd situation for the AL Central. The Royals were expected to take a step back, but dominated from the early going. The Tigers were supposed to be a World Series favorite, but ended up being a seller at the trade deadline.
The Indians and White Sox were supposed to be dark horses to compete for an AL Central crown, only to see that fizzle in the early part of the season.
I’d be crazy to pick against the Royals…but I’m still not satisfied with that starting pitching, with Edinson Volquez and Yordano Ventura as the top-two options.
The Indians should be much improved this season and feature one of the best pitching staffs in the American League. If Corey Kluber gets back to form, that’s a dangerous staff staring at the opposition.
Also, don’t forget about the White Sox. I was on the bandwagon last season, only to see Chicago leave the bats at home. This year should be different with the addition of Todd Frazier, giving the White Sox a hitter to take pressure off of Jose Abreu. But I’m not convinced the stable of left-handers (four, with one being John Danks) will give Chicago an edge on the mound.
With Cleveland’s potential, I’m taking the Indians in a semi-shocker. I see the Royals taking a step back, while the Indians should finally be the dark horse that everyone has predicted in recent years.
