In 2024, the AL Central division bounced back from being one of the worst divisions in MLB history to producing three playoff teams – Cleveland, Kansas City, and Detroit. However, this success came at the expense of the disappointing Twins and the historically bad White Sox. Looking ahead to the 2025 season, four out of the five teams in the Central division have a legitimate shot at claiming the crown. Will the AL Central continue its success from 2024, or will it regress back to sending only one team to the postseason? Let’s explore.
The Cleveland Guardians had a successful 2024 season, winning the division and reaching the ALCS. Despite reshaping their roster in the offseason, including re-signing Shane Bieber, they are projected to have a record of 79-83 with a 22.4% chance of making the playoffs. In their best-case scenario, their bullpen continues to excel, Bieber returns strong from injury, and their lineup improves, leading them to repeat as AL Central champs. In their worst-case scenario, their bullpen regresses, their offense struggles, and they miss out on the playoffs due to stiff competition in the division.
The Kansas City Royals made a remarkable turnaround in 2024, going from 106 losses to a playoff berth. They are projected to have a record of 82-80 with a 42.8% chance of making the playoffs. In their best-case scenario, Bobby Witt Jr. continues to excel, Jonathan India boosts the lineup, and their rotation remains strong, leading them to win their first division title since 2015. In their worst-case scenario, Witt regresses, the lineup struggles, and the rotation is no longer elite, resulting in a below-average offense and missing out on the playoffs.
Both Cleveland and Kansas City have the potential to succeed in the competitive AL Central division in 2025, but they will face tough competition from the other teams in the division. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain their momentum from 2024 or if they will face challenges in the upcoming season. The Royals stumble below .500 to a disappointing fourth-place finish.
Key player: Jonathan India. India is the Royals’ big offseason addition to boost their lineup, but his performance will be crucial in determining their success. With a focus on offense over pitching, India needs to deliver as expected, especially since his defensive fit on the roster is uncertain.
Season outlook: The Royals’ offseason moves don’t quite have the impact they hoped for. The bottom of the lineup remains weak, and the rotation takes a step back, keeping them around the .500 mark for most of the season. They’ll be close to the AL wild-card race but ultimately fall short.
Detroit Tigers
Projected record: 83-79, 46.4% playoff odds, 28.3% division win odds
Last season: Detroit broke their playoff drought and brought in key players like Gleyber Torres and Jack Flaherty to strengthen the team. The offseason was promising, setting high expectations for the Tigers.
Best-case scenario: Riley Greene and Torres lead an improved lineup, while Skubal and Flaherty dominate on the mound. The rotation features breakout players like Jackson Jobe and Casey Mize, and Spencer Torkelson bounces back to lead in home runs. The Tigers clinch their first division title since 2014 with AJ Hinch winning Manager of the Year.
Worst-case scenario: The rotation struggles beyond Skubal, with injuries hampering key players like Alex Cobb. The lineup fails to perform outside of Greene, and the team falls out of playoff contention by September.
Key player: Tyler Holton. Holton’s role in the pitching staff will be crucial for the Tigers’ success, especially in maintaining stability in the bullpen.
Season prediction: The Tigers have the depth to stay competitive throughout the season, but their offense may not be enough to match other AL contenders, leaving them just short of a playoff spot.
Minnesota Twins
Projected record: 84-78, 55.0% playoff odds, 36.0% division win odds
Last season: The Twins started strong but collapsed in September, missing out on a playoff spot. Their quiet offseason added a few players but didn’t address key areas of improvement.
Best-case scenario: Correa and Buxton shine, while young players like Larnach and Wallner step up in the lineup. Lopez leads a strong rotation, and the Twins reclaim the AL Central crown with a balanced roster.
Worst-case scenario: Injuries plague key players like Correa and Buxton, leading to offensive struggles. The rotation and bullpen underperform, pushing the Twins to a fourth-place finish for the second consecutive season.
Key player: Brooks Lee. Lee’s performance will be crucial in determining the Twins’ success, especially in a season where they need all their key players to step up.
The Minnesota Twins are facing a pivotal year in 2025, as they look to fill the void left by the departures of veterans Carlos Santana and Max Kepler. With several other stars’ health in question, it is crucial for the younger position players to step up their game. One player to watch is Lee, who has shown potential but struggled with injuries in the past. Despite the challenges, Lee has the talent to make a significant impact if he can stay healthy and perform consistently.
As for the Chicago White Sox, they are coming off a historically bad season in 2024. The team’s offense was abysmal, ranking last in almost every major category. However, there were some bright spots on the pitching staff, including the breakout performance of Garrett Crochet. With a new manager in Will Venable and a focus on developing young talent, the White Sox are hoping for improvement in 2025.
In the best-case scenario, the White Sox show progress and give their young players valuable experience at the major league level. The pitching staff looks promising, but the team desperately needs to find reliable hitters to build around. On the other hand, the worst-case scenario would see the White Sox continue to struggle, with little improvement on offense and a lack of positive developments in the farm system.
One player who could make or break the White Sox’s season is Luis Robert Jr. If he can return to All-Star form and showcase his talent, he could be a valuable asset for the team or potentially bring in a significant return in a trade. Ultimately, the White Sox are aiming to avoid another disastrous season but are likely to finish near the bottom of the standings once again.
Overall, both the Twins and the White Sox are facing challenges in 2025, but they each have potential for growth and improvement. It will be interesting to see how these teams navigate the season and what the future holds for them in the competitive world of Major League Baseball. sentence: The cat sat lazily in the sun, enjoying the warmth on its fur.
Rewritten sentence: Basking in the sun’s warmth, the cat lounged lazily, relishing the feeling on its fur.