1 bold prediction for each American League Central team in 2023

Dating back to the 1991 World Series that was won by the Kirby Puckett and Jack Morris-led Minnesota Twins, only three of the last 31 World Series champs (1994 had no World Series due to the player strike) have come from the American League Central. The oddsmakers and MLB analysts don’t believe that the division will be adding another ring to the mix this season. In fact, most everyone in baseball is predicting that the American League Central will be the worst division in all of baseball in 2023.

The good news for the five-team division is that the outcomes are determined on the field and not in spreadsheets, or from people’s pre-season opinions. If this year is anything like 2022, there will be a fight for the division title throughout the entire season. It is fun to spitball possible outcomes and come up with some bold predictions which is where we will head now.

One bold prediction for each American League Central team in 2023

Detroit Tigers: Will be this year’s version of the 2022 Baltimore Orioles

There were high hopes for the Detroit Tigers coming into last season, but they faltered every step of the way. After a 77-win season in 2021, the 66-win stinker in 2022 was a bit of a slap in the face for Tigers fans. Will the Tigers make the playoffs in 2023? No, but they should be relevant throughout much of the season and see their record get back to around the .500 mark. That would be a massive turnaround from last year, but not as much of a stretch from 2021.

The problem with Detroit in 2022 was obviously their anemic offense. They scored the fewest runs in all of MLB with 557 last season. The lack of offense was across the board and covered both veterans such as Javy Lopez, and highly touted rookies Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. Look for the young bats to settle into their own this year while several of the veterans get back to the mean of their career numbers.

Speaking of veterans, this will be the swan song for Miguel Cabrerra’s illustrious career. Don’t expect Miggy to get back to his past production, but there are sure to be some memorable moments along the way, as we celebrate one of the top players of his generation. The Tigers will be much improved and worth tuning into this year, and not just for an afternoon nap as the case was last season.

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.