The AL Central: Flipped on Its Head
Minnesota entered the year as the defending division champion and favored to win it again in the highly contested American League central.
Along with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox and an improved Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals, the Twins were supposed to be apart of a five team race to the playoffs. But the AL Central has been flipped upside down.
If you look at every other division in the league, somebody would have predicted the way they sit today. This division, however, has been turned on it's head. And it doesn't seem that it will be changing anytime soon; the Indians are the best team in baseball...(see Miracle on Grass). The Tigers are finally playing well, the Royals are enjoying some new found success and Ozzie couldn't get the ChiSox to hit or pitch if his job depended on it. The Twins are the worst team in baseball. So why? How did this division become like this. I'll run a quick rundown of what I think are the biggest reasons. Bottom to top:
Minnesota: (12-27, 13.5 GB) Started the year well, going 20-12 finishing first in the AL. Obviously we can see that spring training means nothing. Justin Morneau is a shadow of his former self, and I think he is done and Joe Mauer is hurt again with no sign of him coming back soon. That along with zero depth adds up to 12-27.
Chicago White Sox:(17-25, 10 GB) This situation isn't a surprise at all. When you have 4-6 starters (2 are playing 3B as a platoon) who are hitting under .250 you're going to have issues. Couple that with a 4.11 team ERA. and say hello to the cellar. Well in any other division you would. But the only advantage the ChiSox have is the Twins.
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