CENTRAL DIVISION
1| DETROIT 2011 | 95-67, 1st in Central
Last year in playoffs | 2011
Talk about heavy hitters — the Tigers have nearly 600 pounds of slugger at the infield corners in Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. They put up big numbers last year, combining to hit .322 with 68 homers and 225 RBIS. Justin Verlander is coming off a year in which he won 24 games and theal Cy Young and MVP awards.
2| CHICAGO 2011 | 79-83, 3rd in Central
Last year in playoffs | 2008
Things could get ugly quickly in Robin Ventura’s managerial debut. If Adam Dunn can rebound from one of the worst seasons in baseball history, if Jake Peavy can regain his form, and if Alex Rios can hit like he did two years ago, it might not be so bad. But that’s an awful lot of “ifs.”
3| KANSAS CITY 2011 | 71-91, 4th in Central
Last year in playoffs | 1985
The everyday lineup is young but solid. The pitching, however, has more questions than quality. If someone steps up at the back of the rotation and if former Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton is effective, the Royals could be in the wild-card hunt. If not, their long playoff drought will continue.
4| CLEVELAND 2011 | 80-82, 2nd in Central
Last year in playoffs | 2007
The Indians stayed in playoff contention into August last season. That won’t happen this year. Grady Sizemore is back on the DL after back surgery, Roberto Heredia (a.k.a. Fausto Carmona) is unavailable after being charged with identity fraud, and it’s unlikely Derek Lowe or Ubaldo Jimenez will adequately replace him.
5| MINNESOTA 2011 | 63-99, 5th in Central
Last year in playoffs | 2010
The Twins got just seven homers and 60 RBIS combined from Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau last year, not near enough offense for a team that had no pitcher win more than nine games. Then they made their defense worse, putting Joshwillingham and Jamey Carroll behind a staff that had the majors’ highest opposing average.