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MLB: An updated prediction of the 2017 playoff picture

By Anthony Sosa

May 17, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Jedd Gyorko (3) congratulates center fielder Dexter Fowler (25) after hitting a solo home run off of Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (not pictured) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Jedd Gyorko (3) congratulates center fielder Dexter Fowler (25) after hitting a solo home run off of Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello (not pictured) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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AL Central

Current Standings: 

Minnesota Twins: 24-18

Cleveland Indians: 24-20

Detroit Tigers: 21-23

Chicago White Sox: 20-24

Kansas City Royals: 19-26

In my preseason division rankings, the AL Central sat polar opposite from the AL East. I ranked the AL Central the worst division in baseball heading into 2017. With three teams at or below .500, the AL Central shows clear weakness outside the top two teams.

After suffering a tough Game 7 loss in the 2016 World Series, the Cleveland Indians remain one game back for the division lead in the AL Central. They’ve managed to do this despite injuries to Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco.

The most surprising team in the AL Central this season is the Minnesota Twins. The Twins are the only team that holds a top spot in a division and has a losing record at home (11-13). So how are they tied for the AL Central lead? Their play on the road (13-5). Ervin Santana emerged as the ace of that staff, as well.

The Detroit Tigers own a below .500 record so far in 2017. One of the main reasons they aren’t a winning club right now has to do with the team’s combined nine blown saves in 2017.

Despite trading away Sale and Adam Eaton in the offseason, the Chicago White Sox continue to play decently. Outfielder Avisail Garcia continues his breakout campaign. The youth movement should be fun to watch over the next few seasons.

And then there are the Kansas City Royals. Just two years removed from their World Series victory in 2015, the Royals look like one of the worst teams in baseball and their record backs that statement up. Their offense isn’t playing well and as a result, they rank 30th in run production. Many of the key players from the 2015 World Series won’t make it past the trade deadline in a Royals’ uniform.

Who wins the division?

The Twins are a great feel good story right now, but I don’t see that lasting into October. Their struggles at home will catch up with them eventually and start to bring them down.

This division remains the Indians to lose. Once their rotation gains health and puts it together, watch out AL Central teams and all teams in general. The Indians are on a mission to get back to the promise land in 2017.

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