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Due to the shortened season, Royals fans are going to get a lot of looks at the Central Division opponents, with 40 of the 60 games on the schedule coming inside the division. The division has been considered light in recent years because three teams - the Royals, Tigers, and White Sox - were all rebuilding. But Chicago should be ready for a step forward, and the Royals and Tigers may have some hot pitching prospects that could make them a tougher opponent than in past years.
Chicago White Sox
2019 record: 72-89
2019 pythag: 69-92
2020 ZIPS projection: 30-30
Notable additions: Steve Cishek, Cheslor Cuthbert, Edwin Encarnacion, Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel, Nomar Mazara
Notable losses: Welington Castillo, Jon Jay, Ivan Nova, Yolmer Sanchez
The White Sox had a splashy off-season, spending nearly $200 million on free agents like Yasmani Grandal and Dallas Keuchel. They want to integrate those stars with a strong nucleus of talent with the flamboyant Tim Anderson, slugger Yoan Moncada, and two of the brighter young outfielders in the league - Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert. Lucas Giolito took a big step forward in the rotation last year, and the Sox will hope Dylan Cease can do the same this year, but don’t expect to see prospect Michael Kopech this year, he has opted out of playing due to concerns over COVID-19.
White Sox projected lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
SS | Tim Anderson | .335 | .357 | .508 | 518 | 18 | 3.7 |
3B | Yoan Moncada | .315 | .367 | .548 | 559 | 25 | 4.8 |
1B | Jose Abreu | .284 | .330 | .503 | 693 | 33 | 2.0 |
C | Yasmani Grandal | .246 | .380 | .468 | 632 | 28 | 2.4 |
DH | Edwin Encarnacion | .244 | .344 | .531 | 486 | 34 | 3.0 |
LF | Eloy JImenez | .267 | .315 | .513 | 504 | 31 | 1.5 |
RF | Nomar Mazara | .268 | .318 | .469 | 469 | 19 | 0.7 |
CF | Luis Robert | Played in the minors | |||||
2B | Leury Garcia | .279 | .310 | .378 | 618 | 8 | 1.3 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
C | James McCann | .273 | .328 | .460 | 476 | 18 | 3.7 |
IF | Cheslor Cuthbert | .246 | .294 | .379 | 330 | 9 | -0.6 |
IF | Danny Mendick | .308 | .325 | .462 | 40 | 2 | 0.5 |
OF | Nicky Delmonico | .206 | .265 | .286 | 68 | 1 | -0.5 |
OF | Adam Engel | .242 | .304 | .383 | 248 | 6 | 0.6 |
White Sox projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Lucas Giolito | 3.41 | 3.43 | 176.2 | 11.6 | 2.9 | 5.7 |
LHP | Dallas Keuchel | 3.75 | 4.72 | 112.2 | 7.3 | 3.1 | 2.0 |
RHP | Reynaldo Lopez | 5.38 | 5.04 | 184.0 | 8.3 | 3.2 | 0.6 |
RHP | Dylan Cease | 5.79 | 5.19 | 73.0 | 10.0 | 4.3 | -0.1 |
LHP | Carlos Rodon | 5.19 | 3.62 | 34.2 | 11.9 | 4.4 | 0.1 |
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Alex Colome | 2.80 | 4.08 | 61.0 | 8.1 | 3.4 | 1.1 |
RHP | Kelvin Herrera | 6.14 | 4.58 | 51.1 | 9.3 | 4.0 | -0.4 |
LHP | Aaron Bummer | 2.13 | 3.41 | 67.2 | 8.0 | 3.2 | 2.9 |
RHP | Steve Cishek | 2.95 | 4.54 | 64.0 | 8.0 | 4.1 | 1.9 |
LHP | Jace Fry | 4.75 | 4.90 | 55.0 | 11.1 | 7.0 | 0.2 |
RHP | Evan Marshall | 2.49 | 4.30 | 50.2 | 7.3 | 4.3 | 1.8 |
Cleveland Indians
2019 record: 93-69
2019 pythag: 93-69
2020 ZIPS projection: 31-29
Notable additions: Emmanuel Clase, Delino DeShields, Cesar Hernandez, Sandy Leon, Domingo Santana
Notable losses: Tyler Clippard, Jason Kipnis, Corey Kluber, Dan Otero, Kevin Plawecki, Yasiel Puig, Danny Salazar
The Indians missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons last year, but instead of looking to improve their team, they actually traded away former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber. They didn’t seem to address their cloudy outfield mix either, but the Indians always seem to find a way to keep churning out talented young players and win every year. This year, you could see arms like Aaron Civale make an impact, or rookie James Karinchak out of the bullpen.
Indians projected starting lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
2B | Cesar Hernandez | .279 | .333 | .408 | 667 | 14 | 1.6 |
3B | Jose Ramirez | .255 | .327 | .479 | 542 | 23 | 3.4 |
SS | Francisco Lindor | .284 | .335 | .518 | 654 | 32 | 5.0 |
1B | Carlos Santana | .281 | .397 | .515 | 686 | 34 | 4.6 |
DH | Franmil Reyes | .249 | .310 | .512 | 548 | 37 | 0.4 |
RF | Tyler Naquin | .288 | .325 | .467 | 294 | 10 | 1.5 |
CF | Oscar Mercado | .269 | .318 | .443 | 482 | 15 | 2.5 |
C | Roberto Perez | .239 | .321 | .452 | 449 | 24 | 4.0 |
LF | Brad Zimmer | .000 | .010 | .000 | 14 | 0 | -0.2 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
C | Sandy Leon | .192 | .251 | .297 | 191 | 5 | -0.6 |
IF | Mike Freeman | .277 | .362 | .390 | 213 | 4 | 1.2 |
OF | Greg Allen | .229 | .290 | .346 | 256 | 4 | 0.5 |
OF | Jordan Luplow | .276 | .372 | .551 | 261 | 15 | 2.0 |
OF | Domingo Santana | .253 | .329 | .441 | 507 | 21 | 0.5 |
Indians projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Shane Bieber | 3.28 | 3.23 | 214.1 | 10.9 | 1.7 | 4.5 |
RHP | Mike Clevinger | 2.71 | 2.49 | 126.0 | 12.1 | 2.6 | 4.1 |
RHP | Carlos Carrasco | 5.29 | 4.41 | 80.0 | 10.8 | 1.8 | 0.1 |
RHP | Aaron Civale | 2.34 | 3.40 | 57.2 | 7.2 | 2.5 | 1.5 |
RHP | Zach Plesac | 3.81 | 4.94 | 115.2 | 6.8 | 3.1 | 1.8 |
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
LHP | Brad Hand | 3.30 | 2.80 | 57.1 | 13.2 | 2.8 | 1.1 |
RHP | Nick Wittgren | 2.81 | 4.17 | 57.2 | 9.4 | 2.3 | 0.9 |
RHP | James Karinchak | 1.69 | 0.78 | 5.1 | 13.5 | 1.7 | 0.1 |
RHP | Adam Cimber | 4.45 | 4.36 | 56.2 | 6.5 | 3.0 | 0.0 |
LHP | Oliver Perez | 3.98 | 3.56 | 40.2 | 10.6 | 2.7 | 0.4 |
RHP | Phil Maton | 6.14 | 5.04 | 36.2 | 8.1 | 2.9 | -0.5 |
Detroit Tigers
2019 record: 47-114
2019 pythag: 49-112
2020 ZIPS projection: 25-35
Notable additions: C.J. Cron, Cameron Maybin, Ivan Nova, Austin Romine, Jonathan Schoop
Notable losses: John Hicks, Matt Moore, Tyson Ross
The Tigers are still pretty dreadful as they continue to rebuild. They did import a few Major League-quality hitters from the Twins in C.J. Cron and Jonathan Schoop, but the lineup will likely struggle to score runs all year. The pitching staff does get Michael Fulmer back after he missed a year recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he joins Matt Boyd and Spencer Turnbull, although you may see some trades to make room for a promising crop of pitchers that could be ready this year, including former #1 overall pick Casey Mize.
Tigers projected starting lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
SS | Niko Goodrum | .248 | .322 | .421 | 472 | 12 | 1.6 |
2B | Jonathan Schoop | .256 | .304 | .473 | 464 | 23 | 1.6 |
DH | Miguel Cabrera | .282 | .346 | .398 | 549 | 12 | -0.1 |
1B | C.J. Cron | .256 | .311 | .469 | 499 | 25 | 1.7 |
3B | Jeimer Candelario | .203 | .306 | .337 | 386 | 8 | 0.5 |
LF | Christin Stewart | .233 | .305 | .388 | 416 | 10 | -0.3 |
RF | Cameron Maybin | .285 | .364 | .494 | 269 | 11 | 1.6 |
C | Austin Romine | .281 | .310 | .439 | 240 | 8 | 0.7 |
CF | JaCoby Jones | .235 | .310 | .430 | 333 | 11 | -0.1 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
C | Grayson Greiner | .202 | .251 | .308 | 224 | 5 | -0.7 |
IF | Dawel Lugo | .245 | .271 | .381 | 288 | 6 | -0.5 |
IF | Jordy Mercer | .270 | .310 | .438 | 271 | 9 | 0.6 |
OF | Harold Castro | .291 | .305 | .384 | 369 | 5 | -0.4 |
OF | Victor Reyes | .304 | .336 | .431 | 292 | 3 | 1.2 |
Tigers projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
LHP | Matt Boyd | 4.56 | 4.32 | 185.1 | 11.6 | 2.4 | 3.7 |
RHP | Ivan Nova | 4.72 | 4.98 | 187 | 5.5 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
RHP | Spencer Turnbull | 4.61 | 3.99 | 148.1 | 8.9 | 3.6 | 2.3 |
LHP | Tyler Alexander | 4.86 | 4.15 | 53.2 | 7.9 | 1.2 | 1 |
RHP | Michael Fulmer | Did not pitch | |||||
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Joe Jimenez | 4.37 | 4.66 | 59.2 | 12.4 | 3.5 | 0.6 |
RHP | Buck Farmer | 3.72 | 3.88 | 67.2 | 9.7 | 3.2 | 1.5 |
RHP | Jose Cisnero | 4.33 | 4.66 | 35.1 | 10.2 | 4.8 | 0.3 |
RHP | Bryan Garcia | 12.15 | 5.31 | 6.2 | 9.5 | 6.8 | -0.4 |
LHP | Gregory Soto | 5.77 | 5.4 | 57.2 | 7 | 5.2 | 0.4 |
LHP | Daniel Norris | 4.49 | 4.61 | 144.1 | 7.8 | 2.4 | 2.9 |
Kansas City Royals
2019 record: 59-103
2019 pythag: 64-98
2020 ZIPS projection: 26-34
Notable additions: Greg Holland, Maikel Franco, Trevor Rosenthal
Notable losses: Cheslor Cuthbert
Like the Tigers, the Royals are rebuilding, but they have a few stars in their lineup that will be able to help them score more runs. Home run champ Jorge Soler was finally healthy and able to show his full power, and Whit Merrifield continued to pace the top of the lineup. The Royals will look for a full season from Adalberto Mondesi, as well as more stability out of a bullpen that finished fourth-worst in all of baseball in reliever ERA.
Royals projected starting lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
CF | Whit Merrifield | .302 | .348 | .463 | 735 | 16 | 3.7 |
SS | Adalberto Mondesi | .263 | .291 | .424 | 443 | 9 | 2.4 |
RF | Hunter Dozier | .279 | .348 | .522 | 586 | 26 | 3.2 |
DH | Jorge Soler | .265 | .354 | .569 | 679 | 48 | 3.6 |
C | Salvador Perez | Did not play | |||||
LF | Alex Gordon | .266 | .345 | .396 | 633 | 13 | 1.3 |
3B | Maikel Franco | .234 | .297 | .409 | 428 | 17 | -0.6 |
1B | Ryan McBroom | .293 | .361 | .360 | 83 | 0 | 0.0 |
2B | Nicky Lopez | .240 | .276 | .325 | 402 | 2 | 0.1 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
C | Cam Gallagher | .238 | .312 | .365 | 142 | 3 | 0.2 |
1B | Ryan O'Hearn | .195 | .281 | .369 | 370 | 14 | -1.5 |
IF | Erick Mejia | .227 | .333 | .273 | 27 | 0 | 0.0 |
OF | Franchy Cordero | .333 | .450 | .400 | 20 | 0 | 0.2 |
OF | Brett Phillips | .138 | .247 | .262 | 79 | 2 | 0.3 |
OF | Bubba Starling | .215 | .255 | .317 | 197 | 4 | -0.8 |
Royals projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
LHP | Danny Duffy | 4.34 | 4.78 | 130.2 | 7.9 | 3.2 | 1.9 |
RHP | Brad Keller | 4.19 | 4.35 | 165.1 | 6.6 | 3.8 | 2.8 |
RHP | Jakob Junis | 5.24 | 4.82 | 175.1 | 8.4 | 3.0 | 1.0 |
LHP | Mike Montgomery | 4.95 | 5.52 | 91.0 | 6.8 | 3.4 | 0.3 |
RHP | Brady Singer | Did not pitch | |||||
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Ian Kennedy | 3.41 | 2.99 | 63.1 | 10.4 | 2.4 | 1.4 |
RHP | Scott Barlow | 4.22 | 3.41 | 70.1 | 11.8 | 4.7 | 0.9 |
RHP | Jesse Hahn | 13.50 | 6.86 | 4.2 | 13.5 | 11.6 | -0.4 |
RHP | Trevor Rosenthal | 13.50 | 6.87 | 15.1 | 10.0 | 15.3 | -1.2 |
RHP | Greg Holland | 4.54 | 4.76 | 35.2 | 10.3 | 6.1 | 0.0 |
RHP | Jorge Lopez | 6.33 | 5.55 | 123.2 | 7.9 | 3.1 | -1.3 |
Minnesota Twins
2019 record: 101-61
2019 pythag: 97-65
2020 ZIPS projection: 32-28
Notable additions: Alex Avila, Homer Bailey, Tyler Clippard, Josh Donaldson, Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda
Notable losses: Jason Castro, C.J. Cron, Kyle Gibson, Martin Perez, Jonathan Schoop
The “Bomba Squad” paced baseball with a record 307 home runs, with five players topping 30 home runs. The offense scored 939 runs, second-most in the league. The pitching got a revamp behind ace Jose Berrios, with the team trading for Kenta Maeda, and signing free agents Rich Hill and Homer Bailey. The shortened season may help those arms stay healthy enough to win the division, but winning a short-series in the post-season may be another matter.
Twins projected starting lineup
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pos. | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
RF | Max Kepler | .252 | .336 | .519 | 596 | 36 | 4.1 |
SS | Jorge Polanco | .295 | .356 | .485 | 704 | 22 | 4.8 |
DH | Nelson Cruz | .321 | .392 | .639 | 521 | 41 | 4.4 |
3B | Josh Donaldson | .259 | .379 | .521 | 659 | 37 | 6.0 |
LF | Eddie Rosario | .276 | .300 | .500 | 590 | 32 | 1.7 |
C | Mitch Garver | .273 | .365 | .630 | 359 | 31 | 4.1 |
2B | Luis Arraez | .334 | .399 | .439 | 366 | 4 | 1.8 |
1B | Miguel Sano | .247 | .346 | .576 | 439 | 34 | 3.0 |
CF | Byron Buxton | .262 | .314 | .513 | 295 | 10 | 3.1 |
Bench | Hitter | BA | OBA | SLG | PA | HR | rWAR |
C | Alex Avila | .207 | .353 | .421 | 201 | 9 | 1.4 |
IF | Ehire Adrianza | .272 | .349 | .416 | 236 | 5 | 0.7 |
IF | Marwin Gonzalez | .264 | 3.220 | .414 | 463 | 15 | 1.8 |
OF | Jake Cave | .258 | .351 | .455 | 228 | 8 | 0.8 |
OF | LaMonte Wade, Jr. | .196 | .348 | .375 | 69 | 2 | 0.1 |
Twins projected pitching staff
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pit | Pitcher | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
RHP | Jose Berrios | 3.68 | 3.85 | 200.1 | 8.8 | 2.3 | 3.3 |
LHP | Rich Hill | 2.45 | 4.10 | 58.2 | 11.0 | 2.8 | 1.1 |
RHP | Kenta Maeda | 4.04 | 3.95 | 153.2 | 9.9 | 3.0 | 1.2 |
RHP | Homer Bailey | 4.57 | 4.11 | 163.1 | 8.2 | 2.9 | 2.0 |
RHP | Jake Odorizzi | 3.51 | 3.36 | 159.0 | 10.1 | 3.0 | 3.6 |
Pit | Bullpen | ERA | FIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | WAR |
LHP | Taylor Rogers | 2.61 | 2.85 | 69.0 | 11.7 | 1.4 | 2.5 |
RHP | Sergio Romo | 3.43 | 3.68 | 60.1 | 9.0 | 2.5 | 0.6 |
RHP | Trevor May | 2.94 | 3.73 | 64.1 | 11.1 | 3.6 | 1.3 |
RHP | Tyler Duffey | 2.50 | 3.06 | 57.2 | 12.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 |
RHP | Tyler Clippard | 2.90 | 3.89 | 62.0 | 9.3 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
RHP | Zack Littell | 2.68 | 3.62 | 37.0 | 7.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 |
Poll
Who will win the American League Central Division
This poll is closed
-
10%
Chicago White Sox
-
8%
Cleveland Indians
-
1%
Detroit Tigers
-
33%
Kansas City Royals
-
45%
Minnesota Twins