MLB Playoffs: Does anyone actually want to win the AL Central?
Some day, a sub .500 team may end up making the MLB playoffs. That day may come this year, given the status of the American League Central.
This much is certain when it comes to the AL Central – some team will end up winning the division and reaching the MLB playoffs. Chances are, that team will be the third seed, facing off against a presumably superior opponent in the Astros, Red Sox, or Yankees. And, presumably, whoever wins the Central will get a participation trophy, existing as a speed bump towards the ALCS.
A look at the Central hardly does anything to debunk that theory. Heading into Saturday’s action, none of the teams in the division were over .500, with the Indians leading the Central at 24-25. That record would, in any other division, be enough for third place at best. Perhaps the losses of Bryan Shaw and Mickey Callaway mattered far more than anyone would have expected.
The rest of the division has been just as bad. The Twins were expected to be a postseason contender this year, and while they have improved lately, are still four games below .500. The Tigers, who have the 22nd best record in the game, are only three games back. Even the woeful White Sox and Royals, who are fighting for the first pick in the 2019 draft, are within nine games.
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This is not the first time a division has been so thoroughly underwhelming. Back in 2006, the Cardinals won their own underwhelming division with an 83-78 record, finishing 1.5 games ahead of the Astros. Surprisingly, the Cardinals went on the win the World Series that year, defeating a snakebitten Tigers squad in five games.
In theory, that gives hope for whichever team wins the AL Central. However, the question persists – does anyone actually want to win the division? The Royals, White Sox, and Tigers are all rebuilding. In theory, the Indians and Twins are vying for a postseason berth, but neither team has lived up to expectations. With the status of the Indians dumpster fire bullpen, and the Twins offensive scoring the fewest runs in the AL this year, everyone seemingly has a chance in the Central.
In 2006, when the Cardinals were struggling to stay above .500, the question of whether or not there would be a sub .500 team in the postseason began. Naturally, it was thought that the Cardinals performance was a blip on the radar, something that would not be seen again. That is, until this year, when the AL Central may come down to the least worst team in the division.
There is still plenty of time for a team to seize control of the division. However, if that does not happen, we may get to see a team finish under .500 and still reach the MLB playoffs.