The odds, with three teams looking promising, certainly make this pick a tough one. What about the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers? Miracles can happen. But do they happen in the AL Central?
AL Central Futures Pick – Teams
Chicago White Sox
Chicago has posted seven losing seasons in a row. It looks like 2020 could be different. The White Sox’s rebuilding efforts look like they could pay off this season. In the off-season, they signed six free agents, including starter Dallas Kuechel, DH Edwin Encanracion, and catcher Yasmani Grandal. Plus, the Sox have plenty of talented young players who possess a lot of potential.
Cleveland Indians
Terry Francona could be the best manager in the game. Despite losing starter Corey Kluber, the Tribe has some fine pitchers in Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber. Although the Indians have a fine scouting organization, they have not solved the club’s outfield issues. Cleveland needs a major upgrade in that area.
Detroit Tigers
In 2020, we expect three straight losing seasons to turn into four for these Tigers. Miguel Cabrera is a superstar, but the rest of the team is lacking. New faces include Austin Romine, C.J. Cron, and Jonathan Schoop. However, don’t expect them to add much more than a few extra win’s to the Tiger ledger.
Kansas City Royals
New ownership brings unanswered questions concerning budget. Will the Royals finally start spending some big cash to build a contender or will they continue to simply put a below-average team on the field? Since general manager Dayton Moore has been retained, we expect more of the same from the organization. New manager Mike Matheny last managed the Cardinals. Results were mixed at best. Like the Tigers, the Royals have one major talent, center fielder Whit Merrifield. But there are no one-man teams in the MLB.
Minnesota Twins
Manager Rocco Baldelli will try to recreate 2019, his first season, when he won 100-plus games. That won’t be easy. The infield has holes in it and the pitching staff is flawed. DH Nelson Cruz is a major talent, but he’s also getting long in the tooth. Although the Twins are favored to win the division, this has more to do with the team having taken the Central last season than anything else.
AL Central Futures Pick– Intangibles, Variables & Other Factors
One major questions is how far can the reconstituted White Sox go? They have the talent to go all the way but will they gel? Baldelli managers the Twins for a second season. He proved to have some magic powers last season. Will they return in 2020? For the Indians, what manager Terry Franco does during, after, and before games could be the difference maker. The Royals need more to put a winner on the field. Still, might they do so? Only if they’re willing to shell out some real cash. Finally, the Tigers don’t have much bite. There’s little hope in the Motor City for this team.
Final Word – AL Central Futures Pick
It would be simple and natural to sat the Minnesota Twins will take the Central. Another logical choice would be the Cleveland Indians. Lately, they always seem to be in the hunt. But AL Central futures pick is neither team. We like the Chicago White Sox in 2020.
See our Central Division futures betting scheme. Also, we have our AL East futures pick and our AL East Division betting plan. Plus, you’ll want to read our AL West Futures Pick blog and and AL West Futures Betting article.
