2026 Baseball Preview (AL Central)

We've made it!  Not just to Opening Day, but also to Part VI of my annual MLB season preview.  And the only division I've got left is the AL Central.  The AL Central is a division that has a very clear favorite in Detroit.  But the Tigers were also the very clear favorite last season and ended up finishing second (although, they did beat Cleveland in the Wild Card Series and had that great, five-game Division Series with Seattle).

This year, the Tigers are an even bigger division favorite than they were last season.  And they're going all-in since they know Tarik Skubal is a free agent after this season and may or may not be returning next year.  So, expect Detroit to go for broke.  Which they should.  Because they're the best team in this division by far.

Although, as we saw last year, don't count Cleveland out.  The Guardians are one of those teams that, no matter what, always ends up in the conversation.  So, it would be foolish to think they won't make it a race.  Ditto with Kansas City.  Practically the entire Royals roster played in the World Baseball Classic, and the WBC MVP was Kansas City's Maikel Franco.  They're two years removed from a playoff berth and could very easily make this a three-team race.

Then there's the Twins and White Sox.  Neither on should be very good.  Minnesota is slightly better, but is still looking at 90-plus losses.  The White Sox, meanwhile, are better than they were a few years ago, when they set the record for losses.  But that doesn't mean they're any good.  They're still probably the worst team in the American League.

1. Detroit Tigers: Justin Verlander is back where it all began for potentially his final season.  And the future Hall of Famer will be the No. 4 or even No. 5 starter for the deepest rotation in Baseball.  That's why the Tigers are such an overwhelming favorite.  Skubal is obviously the headliner, but that rotation is this team's biggest strength.  Especially when you consider they signed arguably the best free agent starter out there, Framber Valdez, to put behind him.  If they all stay healthy, this is not a rotation you want to face in October!

The lineup is a step behind that awesome pitching staff, which isn't a knock on them at all.  Especially since the Tigers figure to be actively looking for a bat at the trade deadline.  And that's not to discredit these quality hitters.  Gleyber Torres made the All*Star team last season.  Riley Greene is a star and Parker Meadows is on the verge of becoming one.  And Spencer Torkelson was the No. 1 overall pick for a reason.  They aren't the sluggers of a team like the Dodgers or Yankees.  Or even a do-it-all lineup like Seattle or Toronto.  But they don't need to be.  Because the Tigers will live and die by their pitching.  They just need enough offense to back it up.
Projected Lineup: Parker Meadows-CF, Gleyber Torres-2B, Riley Greene-LF, Kerry Carpenter-DH, Spencer Torkelson-1B, Colt Keith-3B, Matt Vierling-RF, Dillon Dingler-C, Kevin McGonigle-SS
Projected Rotation: Tarik Skubal, Framber Valdez, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, Justin Verlander
Closer: Kenley Jansen
Projected Record: 90-72

2. Kansas City Royals: I don't think it's breaking news to say that the Royals have a lot of young talent...and Salvador Perez.  They also have one of the more entertaining lineups to watch in all of Baseball.  We already knew that Bobby Witt Jr. is a star, but he isn't the only one.  Vinnie Pasquantino.  Jac Caglianone.  Maikel Garcia.  And, of course, the heart and soul of the team, the ageless Salvador Perez.  He's the only player left from the World Series championship team from a decade ago and shows no signs of slowing down.

While not as star-studded as Detroit's rotation, the Royals have five very capable starters, as well.  And, perhaps the most important thing about them is that they give you innings.  It's so reassuring to know your starter will give you length every night and you don't have to overtax your bullpen.  Their closer Carlos Estevez, meanwhile, had a career-high 42 saves last season, so they're in good hands at the end of games.  If the Tigers stumble at all, Kansas City could easily swoop in and snag the division title.  They can definitely be in the wild card mix, too.
Projected Lineup: Bobby Witt Jr.-SS, Jonathan India-2B, Vinnie Pasquantino-1B, Salvador Perez-C, Maikel Garcia-3B, Jac Caglianone-RF, Starling Marte-DH, Kyle Isbel-CF, Isaac Collins-LF
Projected Rotation: Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic, Noah Cameron
Closer: Carlos Estevez
Projected Record: 85-77 

3. Cleveland Guardians: We've finally reached the point where Jose Ramirez doesn't surprise people anymore.  He's no longer underrated.  He's simply appreciated as one of the best players in the game.  And, I've come to realize, as long as the Guardians have J-Ram, they're gonna be in the conversation.  Take last year.  No one had them pegged to do anything.  They ended up winning the division.  So, would it shock anybody if they did it again?

Still, Cleveland is only the third-best team in the AL Central.  Their rotation behind Tanner Bibee isn't as strong as Detroit's or Kansas City's.  And that, ultimately, could be their undoing.  Lineup-wise, there isn't much beyond Ramirez and Steven Kwan, either.  To put it simply, the Guardians just aren't as good as either the Tigers or the Royals.  Which probably means they're gonna win 90 games and run away with the division title.
Projected Lineup: Steven Kwan-LF, Angel Martinez-CF, Jose Ramirez-3B, Rhys Hoskins-DH, Kyle Manzardo-1B, Bo Naylor-C, Chase DeLauter-RF, Gabriel Arias-SS, Brayan Rocchio-2B
Projected Rotation: Tanner Bibee, Gavin Williams, Slade Cecconi, Joey Cantillo, Parker Messick
Closer: Cade Smith
Projected Record: 83-79

4. Minnesota Twins: Josh Bell is apparently on the Twins now.  He's really making his way around the Majors, isn't he?!  Bell joins a lineup that includes Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton, who continues to show that he's one of the best all-around players in the game when healthy.  Unfortunately, he just isn't healthy that frequently.  Even if he does stay healthy, Buxton's not enough to rise the Twins to the same level as their division foes.

Joe Ryan, who was originally supposed to start the WBC Championship Game for Team USA, headlines the Minnesota rotation.  Their starting staff behind him is very weak, however.  Ditto about their bullpen.  Taylor Rogers is the closer by default, but is probably better served in a setup role.  Even if they do hit, the Twins simply don't have enough pitching.  And, frankly, they don't have enough hitting either.
Projected Lineup: Byron Buxton-CF, Luke Keaschall-2B, Royce Lewis-3B, Josh Bell-1B, Trevor Larnach-DH, Ryan Jeffers-C, Matt Wallner-RF, Brooks Lee-SS, Austin Martin-LF
Projected Rotation: Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Taj Bradley, Simeon Woods Richardson, Mick Abel
Closer: Taylor Rogers
Projected Record: 68-94

5. Chicago White Sox: If there's any silver lining to be found on the South Side, it's that they might not be the worst team in the American League anymore.  And, if they're not even the worst team in the AL, they can't be the worst team in Baseball.  They actually snagged a Japanese import, as well, with Munetaka Murakami set to play first base.  I'm also curious to see what they get from Luisangel Acuna, who came over from the Mets in the Luis Robert trade and will get the chance to be an everyday player for the first time in his career.

Shane Smith was their All*Star representative last year and fronts the rotation.  The White Sox bullpen, meanwhile, consists of a bunch of former starters and Seranthony Dominguez, who threw in seemingly every game of last year's World Series for the Blue Jays.  He'll likely be the go-to guy for the White Sox, as well.  Just how many games will he end up appearing in?  There seems a very genuine risk of him being overworked.  Especially since the rest of the bullpen figures to give up a lot of runs.
Projected Lineup: Andrew Benintendi-LF, Luisangel Acuna-CF, Miguel Vargas-3B, Austin Hays-RF, Lenyn Sosa-DH, Munetaka Murakami-1B, Colson Montgomery-SS, Chase Meidroth-2B, Edgar Quero-C
Projected Rotation: Shane Smith, Sean Burke, Anthony Kay, Davis Martin, Erick Fedde
Closer: Seranthony Dominguez
Projected Record: 63-99