Twins pick to again take AL Central
Three solid starters plus six big boppers give Minnesota edge
This is the fourth in a series of MLB divisional previews from a betting perspective. The season begins Thursday.
The American League Central is clearly a three-team race this season.
The Twins are the favorites to repeat as division champions, andtheindiansandup-andcoming White Sox are capable contenders, especially in a 60gameseason.
The Royals and Tigers clearly are not contenders. They’re each coming off 100-loss seasons and are part of a six-pack of teams — with the Orioles, Marlins, Mariners and Giants — tied for the longest odds to win the World Series at 300-1.
Here are team-by-team breakdowns, listed in order of the teams’ odds to win the division at the Westgate:
Minnesota Twins Futures odds:
16-1 to win World Series, 7-1 to win AL, -140 to win division
Season win total: Last season:
101-61 (first in division, lost 3-0 to Yankees in ALDS)
Minnesota had a record five players reach the 30-homerunmarklastseason and added third baseman Josh Donaldson, who hit 37 homers last season for the Braves.
The Twins have a solid top three in their starting rotation in Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi and Rich Hill. Berrios is 20-1 to win the AL Cy Young and Hill 25-1.
“I really like the Twins a lot,” Sunset Station sportsbook director Chuck Esposito said. “Playing 20 games against the Tigers and Royals really bodes well for this team.”
Outlook:
34½
Clevelandindians Futures odds:
25-1 to win World Series, 10-1 to win AL, +260 to win division
Season win total: Last season:
32½
93-69 (second in division)
Outlook:
Cleveland traded former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber to the Rangers in December, but still features a solid rotation led by Cy Young candidates Shane Bieber (12-1) and Mike Clevinger (16-1).
“They have one of the better rotations in the American League, and pitching always wins games,” said handicapper Micah Roberts (Sportsline.com).
Shortstop Francisco Lindor is tied for the 12-1 third choice to WINALMVP.
“The Indians are being overlooked because they traded Kluber,” Westgate sportsbook manager Randy Blum said.
Chicago White Sox Futures odds:
30-1 to win World Series, 12-1 to win AL, +450 to win division
Season win total: Last season:
89 (third in division)
Chicago has been a popularpicktowintheworldseries after adding veterans Edwin Encarnacion,yasmanigrandal and Dallas Keuchel to a team teeming with young talent.
“Everyone’s waiting for it all to come together for them,” Blum said. “I don’t think there’s a doubt that it’s going to happen. It’s just if it’s this year.”
Tim Anderson led the majors in batting last season (.335), Luis Robert is the +225 favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year award andlucasgiolitoistiedforthe 12-1 fifth choice to win the AL Cyyoung.thewhitesoxalso feature two 30-homer hitters in
Outlook:
31
72
Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez and rising star Yoan Moncada.
“Thisteamkindofhasthesame hypethecubsdidwhentheywon it all a year or two earlier than expected,” Esposito said. “Pitching is key, but this team can definitely score.”
Roberts likes Chicago to win thedivisionandmakearunfor the World Series title.
“(The +450 division odds) is more of a testament to how good the Twins are supposed to be,” he said. “But for a short stretch, go go Sox.”
Kansas City Royals Futures odds:
103 (fourth in division)
Five years removed from a World Series title, the Royals are coming off back-toback 100-loss seasons and show no signs of turning things around this year.
On the bright side, they should be better than the Tigers.
Outlook: Detroit Tigers Futures odds:
300-1 to win World Series, 150-1 to win AL, 50-1 to win division
Season win total: Last season:
114 (fifth in division)
Detroit is coming off one of the worst seasons in baseball history and has averaged 103 losses the past three years.
Two-timealmvpmiguel Cabrera, 37, finished with career lows in homers (12) and RBIS (59) last season.
Outlook: Best bets
300-1 to win World Series, 150-1 to win AL, 30-1 to win division
Season win total: Last season:
(Based on Review-journal analysis, informed by opinions from bookmakers and handicappers) White Sox to win division (+450), World Series (30-1) White Sox over 31
Futures: Win total:
24½
22
59
47
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.