2024 MLB Division Previews - AL Central
Minnesota Twins
2023 - 87-75, division champions, lost to Astros in ALDS
Offseason - Traded for OF Manuel Margot
2024 Outlook - The Twins were able to put enough good things together last season and snap their historic postseason game losing streak with a wild card series victory over the Blue Jays. They ended up falling to the Astros but many would chalk up their season as a success. The emergence of their young, star shortstop, Royce Lewis, especially in the postseason, is an exciting piece of this team going into 2024. They also have their ace, Pablo Lopez, back with the team. They did lose some depth on the mound so that for me is their biggest concern but in this division, I believe they are the clear favorites to finish on top again.
Over/Under Wins Prediction - 86.5 - Over. I think the Twins have enough on this team to get into the upper 80s and maybe even hit the 90 win mark.
Detroit Tigers
2023 - 78-84, 2nd place, missed postseason
Offseason - Signed P Shelby Miller, P Jack Flaherty, P Andrew Chafin, P Kenta Maeda
2024 Outlook - Is this the year the Tigers have a winning record? For years, they have been rebuilding and developing young talent. They went out and signed a bunch of arms, most are shells of their glory days but can definitely still contribute. Tarik Skubal had a under-the-radar great season on the mound in 2023. If he can build on that, this Detroit team will have a pretty solid pitching rotation. If the young talent can continue to improve, we just may have a winning ball club in Detroit once again.
Over/Under Wins Prediction - 80.5 - Over. I do not think this is a playoff roster, however, this is a weak division and it’s not out of the question they can win it by default. I’m gonna predict they’ll get at least 82 wins to secure a winning season.
Cleveland Guardians
2023 - 76-86, 3rd place, missed postseason
Offseason - Hired Stephen Vogt as new manager
2024 Outlook - The future hall of fame manager, Terry Francona, retired after the end of the last season. The Guardians decided to go with first time manager, Stephen Vogt, to take over. From what I have heard, many believe Vogt will be a fantastic manager but we’ll have to see how this plays out. The Guardians missed the postseason in 2023 and it seems like any momentum they had building this roster has faded. Cleveland didn’t go out and add much in the offseason, not that they usually do as a small market team, but I’m not sure how this team will compete in 2024. Unless Vogt has the magic touch and there’s some prospects lurking in the farm system, this may be a long year.
Over/Under Wins Prediction - 77.5 - Under. There’s a lot more question marks than answers with this team right now. So with that in mind, I’m not seeing a ton of success for the Guardians this season.
Chicago White Sox
2023 - 61-101, 4th place, missed postseason
Offseason - signed IF Mike Moustakas
2024 Outlook - This is a team that is headed in the wrong direction. Not too long ago, this was a club with World Series aspirations. The downfall of the White Sox is layered and would take up a whole article to explain but long story short, they’re terrible. They lost 101 games last season and I would not be surprised if they lost more in 2024. It’s the start of a rebuild and I expect the high level talent that is left of this team like Dylan Cease and Eloy Jimenez to be traded before the season is done. The only hope for this team is that the front office won’t completely mess up this rebuild like they did the last one.
Over/Under Wins Prediction - 63.5 - Under. Winter is coming for the Southside.
Kansas City Royals
2023 - 56-106, 5th place, missed postseason
Offseason - signed Bobby Witt Jr to 11-year contract, singed OF Hunter Renfroe, signed SP Michael Wacha
2024 Outlook - The Royals were expected to take a step forward last season and clearly that did not happen. However, it would be hard to fathom this team losing that much again in 2024. They have locked up their young super star, Bobby Witt Jr, for the next 11 seasons. He is a player that you can build around and the front office did the right thing by making sure Witt is a Royal for a long time. Now, if they can stay healthy, this is a team that could surprise and flirt with the division. A lot needs to go right for that to happen but don’t overlook this team because of how bad they were last season.
Over/Under Wins Prediction - 73.5 - Under. An almost 20-win improvement seems like a lot to bank on. So for that reason I am taking the under but I do like the direction this team is headed.