2022 MLB Divisional Previews: AL Central

(Using FanGraphs 2022 projections, odds courtesy of DraftKings)

Projected Standings

Team	W	L	W%	Odds to win Division	Odds to make Playoffs
White Sox	86	76	.531	-195	-390
Twins	82	80	.505	+500	+175
Guardians	77	85	.475	+1000	+400
Royals	75	87	.464	+1500	+550
Tigers	75	87	.464	+750	+380

Chicago White Sox

Key Additions

AJ Pollock, OF (4/1, acquired from Dodgers)
Adam Haseley, OF (3/29, acquired from Phillies)
Joe Kelly, RP (3/12, agreed to two-year contract)
Josh Harrison, UTIL (3/12, agreed to one-year contract)
Kendall Graveman, RP (11/23, agreed to three-year contract)

Key Subtractions

Craig Kimbrel, RP (traded to Dodgers)
Cesar Hernandez, 2B (signed with Nationals)
Carlos Rodón, SP (signed with Giants)
Ryan Tepera, RP (signed with Angels)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

Tim Anderson, SS: .295 AVG, .458 SLG, 20 HRs, 898 Runs, 70 RBIs, 19 SBs
Lucas Giolito, SP: 12 wins, 3.74 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 28.6 K%

Mar 26, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) hits against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Twins

Key Additions

Carlos Correa, SS (3/19, agreed to three-year contract)
Sonny Gray, SP (acquired from Reds)
Gio Urshela, 3B/SS (acquired from Yankees)
Gary Sanchez, C (acquired from Yankees)
Dylan Bundy, SP (agreed to one-year contract)

Key Subtractions

Josh Donaldson, 3B (traded to Yankees)
Mitch Garver, C (traded to Rangers)
Michael Pineda, SP (signed with Tigers)
Andrelton Simmons, SS (signed with Cubs)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

Byron Buxton, OF: .270 AVG, .536 SLG, 30 HRs, 85 Runs, 76 RBIs, 16 SBs
Joe Ryan, SP: 8 wins, 4.14 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 26.1 K%

Oct 3, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a single against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Guardians

Key Additions

None

Key Subtractions

Roberto Pérez (signed with Pirates)
Harold Ramirez (traded to Cubs)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

José Ramírez, 3B: .271 AVG, .538 SLG, 35 HRs, 100 Runs, 100 RBI, 25 SBs
Shane Bieber, SP (injured in 2021): 13 Wins, 3.33 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 30.9 K%

For more MLB betting previews like this AL Central guide, click here

Kansas City Royals

Key Additions

Zack Greinke, SP (3/16, agreed to one-year contract)
Amir Garrett, RP (3/16, acquired from Reds)

Key Subtractions

Mike Minor, SP (traded to Reds)
Greg Holland, RP (signed with Rangers)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

Bobby Witt Jr., SS (MLB #1 prospect): .254 AVG, .440 SLG, 20 HRs, 69 Runs, 70 RBI, 17 SBs
Scott Barlow, RP: 21 Saves, 3.52 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 28.3 K%

Jul 21, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt (90) gets ready to defend against the Houston Astros at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers

Key Additions

Michael Pineda, SP (3/18, agreed to one-year contract)
Andrew Chafin, RP (3/16, agreed to two-year contract)
Javier Báez, 2B/SS (11/30, agreed to six-year contract)
Eduardo Rodriguez, SP (11/15, agreed to five-year contract)
Tucker Barnhart, C (11/3, acquired from Reds)

Key Subtractions

Matthew Boyd, SP (signed with Giants)
Niko Goodrum, UTIL (signed with Astros)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

Spencer Torkelson (top prospect), 1B: .245 AVG, .448 SLG, 19 HRs, 57 Runs, 60 RBI, 3 SB
Eduardo Rodriguez, SP: 12 Wins, 3.79 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 25 K%

Apr 2, 2022; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (57) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles during spring training at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports

AL Central Best Bets

PICK: Myles Straw, Most Stolen Bases (+1600)

WHY: Obviously, based on the odds, this one is a bit of a long shot. However, it’s not really when you consider that Straw is projected by ATC to finish fourth in stolen bases behind Aldaberto Mondesi, Starling Marte, and Trea Turner. Mondesi is notoriously injury-prone and will need to play near a full season to lead baseball in steals. Marte is also already banged up with an oblique injury, so the key for Straw will be staying healthy and playing all year on a bad Guardians team that doesn’t really have a replacement for him. When he was traded to the Guardians last year, he stole 13 bases in 60 games. That’s .22 stolen bases a game. If we give him 150 games played, Straw will steal 33 bases, which would have put him third in all of baseball last year. So, basically, even if he’s the exact same player, stealing at the exact same rate, he’s in the conversation. At these odds, you’re getting a massive payout if he improves a little bit and/or gets a little bit of luck in the injury department. It’s not a bad play for a small amount of money on a prop bet.

PICK: Tigers to make the playoffs (+380)

WHY: Yes, we know the Tigers are projected to finish last in the standings above, but also notice how their playoff and division odds are better than some of the teams above them. The addition of Rodriguez and Pineda really help a rotation that also has two talented young arms in Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, who could both take leaps forward this year. The Tigers should also have a vastly superior lineup to last year with the addition of Báez and the inclusion of Torkelson and, eventually Greene. If the plethora of young talent in Detroit all begins to take a clear step forward, they could be a surging team by the second-half of the season.