Cleveland Guardians bold prediction: Strong May coming but …
The Cleveland Guardians are nipping at the Minnesota Twins’ heels for the AL Central’s top spot. With a .500 win percentage, they are just two games behind in the division while sporting a minus-10 run differential. The bottom line is they are just not good enough this year.
The Guardians are 29th in home runs (17) and 23rd in batting average (.236). Despite leading the AL in steals, they are 23rd in runs scored. Our bold prediction going into May for the Guardians is they will push hard late into the summer but fall short of a Wild Card berth.
Detroit Tigers bold prediction: New manager coming
The Detroit Tigers have been predictable throughout April. Sitting at 10-16 with a .365 winning percentage, that’s precisely where everyone assumed they would be. Sadly, it’s all still gloomy in the Motor City.
The promising emergence of a dynamic duo in Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene isn’t fulfilling any expectations so far. Javier Baez is a shell of his former self, and there is nothing good I can say about the pitching staff.
Our bold prediction for the Tigers going into May is that A.J. Hinch’s time in Detroit is just about over. His winning percentage has decreased every year he has been in Detroit. In addition, he has the Tigers last in the league in runs and RBI while 27th in batting average. On the mound, Hinch’s Tigers’ are top five in batting average against, earned runs, and home runs allowed while 27th in strikeouts.
It appears Hinch’s success in Houston was due to the talent assembled (and maybe some stolen signs) and not his managerial prowess. Nevertheless, the Tigers will have a new manager, and Hinch will be unemployed in October. Maybe they will give the job to Miguel Cabrera after his retirement tour.