1 bold prediction for each American League Central team in 2023
Chicago White Sox: Back in the playoffs in 2023
The title says bold, so we are going bold! Not one, but two teams are going to make the playoffs from the American League Central this year and the Wild Card team is going to be the Chicago White Sox. There are some glaring issues at hand for the White Sox heading into the season. Closer Liam Hendriks is out indefinitely due to being treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as well as Mike Clevinger’s status currently being unknown due to domestic violence and child abuse allegations. Even with those two players possibly missing significant time, this is a club that is brimming with talent.
Prior to the 2022 season, many people (me included) expected the White Sox to not only make the playoffs, but to make some serious noise once they got there. Neither of those things happened as the team finished with an 81-81 record and missed the playoffs altogether. Obviously, they have to be healthier than they were last season but, despite all of the health issues and having a manager in Tony La Russa who was not fit for the job last season, the team still finished at .500. They will be better this season and that is nearly a given.
Turning the page on 2022 and heading into a fresh start for 2023 is just what this club needed. New manager Pedro Grifol inherits a team that is poised to compete and return to the playoffs this year.
Kansas City Royals: Despite finishing last in the division, Bobby Witt Jr. will receive his first MVP votes
The Kansas City Royals were not good in 2022 and have done very little to change that heading into the 2023 campaign. Bobby Witt, Jr. is not going to have a sophomore slump this season and will instead be even more electric than he was last year. A renewed focus on his defense during the offseason will lead to more consistent fielding that will pair well with his highlight reel plays from the left side of the infield.
Witt finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting, last season, in an American League rookie class that was stacked. The 2019, second overall draft pick out of Colleyville, Texas, swiped 30 bags last season, despite an on-base percentage of just .294. With the new rules in place this season, and an increase in his OBP, Witt could be looking at 50-plus stolen bases to go along with potentially 30-plus home runs (he had 20 homers in 2022). A 30/30 season, with improved fielding for one of the bright stars of the game, is sure to garner at least a few MVP votes.
Again, the Royals will not be great record-wise, but should be fun to watch as the young players have a chance to play. A side note, that will help in their future rebuild, is that Aroldis Chapman could bounce back early, before finding himself traded at the deadline to a contender looking for a sweaty, backend of the pen southpaw.
Cleveland Guardians: Not only win the division, but reach the World Series
Despite being young, and still having more quality talent in the system to pull from, the Guardians are going to not only repeat as division champs, but they will reach the World Series. Yes, you heard it here first! Get ready for a fun ride, Cleveland fans! They were one game from the ALCS last year before losing two straight to end the season to the New York Yankees.
Baseball usually comes down to pitching, and the Guardians boast the best arms of the division top to bottom. Not only is the rotation solid, but the bullpen is lights out. Having a solid pen is critical in going deep in the playoffs, and the Guardians have one of the best in the game. Emmanuel Clase is a powerful weapon for Terry Francona to call on to close out games late.
In 2022, the Guardians used what they had, and relied on putting the ball in play, stealing bases (third-most in MLB), and scratching out runs here and there when they could. The new rules will accentuate the skillset of the team. They aren’t going to have to try and take advantage of them, it will just come naturally as that is how their team is already constructed.
Power was lacking from the offense (next to last in MLB in home runs) last year, but with the additions of veterans, first baseman Josh Bell and catcher Mike Zunino, there should be a few more bombs launched for Francona’s team in 2023.
Cleveland looks to go 2-for-2 on playoff appearances since changing their mascot to the Guardians. This year, they will also be looking to make a run all the way to a league championship and possibly more.
Minnesota Twins: Will miss the playoffs in 2023
Did you see my bold prediction piece on how Carlos Correa was going to opt out of his contract with the Twins, agree to a deal with the San Francisco Giants, then the New York Mets, only to end up signing a simi long-term deal back with the Twins? Yeah, me neither, because no Hollywood script writer could have dreamed up something so outlandish. Well, that is exactly what happened!
Despite winning (by default) the Carlos Correra sweepstakes, the Twins will be average at best this season. There are playoff expectations surrounding this club, but 2023 isn’t going to be the year when they get back to the postseason. There will be bright spots, and I think that Joey Gallo is going to get back to more of his pre-Yankee 2021 self and will thus probably end up being traded at the deadline (if the Rangers are in contention, I could see a possible reunion).
Minnesota added big right-hander in Pablo Lopez to the rotation, but it cost them 2022 batting champion (batting average champion, that is) Luis Arraez. Lopez is a great pitcher that anyone would love to have, but he has never anchored a rotation. He is also coming off the most innings that he has ever pitched in a season by a wide number (180 innings in 2022 compared to 111 innings in 2019) which will be something to keep an eye on.
Minnesota is not a terrible team, but there are just more positives pointing in the directions of the White Sox and Guardians. The Tigers and the Twins will battle it out for third and fourth in the division. Sorry Twins fans, I have a feeling that it will be a somewhat disappointing season for you.
Next. The most memorable moment in each MLB team's history. dark