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2018 AL Central Expert Predictions with Odds and MLB Betting Picks


by - 3/26/2018

Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco

Things are going to be ugly in the American League Central this year. Really, really ugly. Detroit and Chicago are barely going to be above Triple-A caliber as they both thrust their organizations into full-blown rebuilds. Kansas City isn't far behind. And its is entirely possible that the Central could end up with three teams losing 90 or more games this season.

That also means that the Indians can basically sleepwalk their way back into the playoffs thanks to one of the best pitching staffs in the Majors. And if you wanted statistical proof of how lopsided this division race is, just look at the fact that Cleveland is a whopping -500 to win the Central.

Here is Doc's Sports 2018 AL Central picks and betting predictions:

Cleveland Indians

2017 Record: 102-60 (+700)

2018 Wins Over/Under: 94.5

Odds To Win 2018 AL Central: -500

Odds To Win 2018 AL Pennant: +285

2018 Cleveland Indians Odds To Win World Series: +750

Outlook: The Indians rode an astounding, once-in-a-generation 22-game winning streak and an awesome +254 run differential to 102 wins and the best record in the American League last year. But they bowed out of the playoffs after blowing a 2-0 lead to the Yankees, rendering the season somewhat of a disappointment.

It starts and ends with pitching for The Tribe. Corey Kluber is a two-time Cy Young winner and the staff anchor. Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Josh Tomlin and Danny Salazar are all rock solid and provide no weakness. Cleveland has also had a Top 4 bullpen ERA each of the past four seasons and looks to once again have one of the top relief corps in the game.

Cleveland's offense is no slouch, either. They've finished in the Top 10 in runs scored each of the past two years while overcoming injuries to several key players. They replaced first baseman Carlos Santana with Yonder Alonso, and they are hoping for a healthy season from Jason Kipnis. Beyond that it is primarily the same group that averaged more than five runs per game last year.

The Indians win with pitching, defense and rock-solid relief. They have the confidence of a team that has made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Terry Francona is a maestro in the dugout as well. And he has proven that he can handle any issues that may arise throughout the year. Cleveland won't be as good this year - they won't win 100 games - but with their sagging division they won't have to be.

Minnesota Twins

2017 Record: 85-77 (-3200)

2018 Wins Over/Under: 83.0

Odds To Win 2018 AL Central: +450

Odds To Win 2018 AL Pennant: +1700

2018 Minnesota Twins Odds To Win World Series: +3500

Outlook: Minnesota went from worst to first last season, rebounding from a horrifying 59-win season in 2016 to win 85 games and earn a spot in the Wild Card Game in 2017. The Twins made some key offseason additions, and they are looking to make a move to usurp the Indians at the top of the Central.

Minnesota retooled its pitching staff this offseason. They bolstered the rotation with new starters Lance Lynn, Jake Odorizzi and Michael Pineda. And the Twins shored up their leaky bullpen with Addison Reed, Zach Duke and Fernando Rodney. If youngster Jose Berrios continues to ascend and if Ervin Santana can come even close to matching last year's production, then the Twins should be in good shape. They lack a true shutdown starter. But this crop can be good enough.

It will help if Minnesota can match last year's offensive output. They were in the Top 10 in runs, batting average and on-base percentage. The hope is that young Byron Buxton can take the next step and become one of the game's elite centerfielders. Joe Mauer and Brian Dozier are solid veterans, and newly-acquired Logan Morrison will be counted on for 30-plus home runs again. An X-factor will be Miguel Sano, who has had a horrible offseason and will try to avoid becoming a latter day Pablo Sandoval.

The Twins have the tools to track down the Indians. But they also have a lot more question marks and things that they need to break their way. I think the Twins will benefit from a weak division. And I expect them to be dueling with the Angels, Orioles and Blue Jays for that final Wild Card slot.

Kansas City Royals

2017 Record: 80-82 (+260)

2018 Wins Over/Under: 70.5

Odds To Win 2018 AL Central: +6000

Odds To Win 2018 AL Pennant: +6000

2018 Kansas City Royals Odds To Win World Series: +12500

Outlook: You ever see someone try to hold themselves up above a pull-up bar? They get to that point where their arms start quaking and quivering and you can tell that even though they're holding on for dear life gravity is going to claim them sooner rather than later. That is an apt metaphor for the 2018 Kansas City Royals.

Kansas City is just two years removed from their thrilling World Series title. They have failed to top .500 in the two years since. And this offseason the front office eschewed a full-blown rebuild in favor of some stopgap maneuvers to keep them competitive. But when I look at this team I don't see a group that will be better than what they've trotted out the last two seasons.

The Royals pitching staff is just sad, with retreads Dan Duffy (who was actually pretty good last year), Ian Kennedy and Jason Hammel just hoping to sop up enough innings to keep the pressure off their far-from-dominant bullpen. Duffy isn't 100 percent coming out of Spring Training, and No. 4 starter Nate Karns is still working his way back from two injury-plagued years. Kansas City is one arm injury from disaster.

The lineup won't be bad if they can squeeze something out of Jorge Soler. Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas can still rake. But the Royals lack the speed, clutch hitting and overall ability of their lineups the past several seasons. And that's a fair summation of this team in general.

Chicago White Sox

2017 Record: 67-95 (+120)

2018 Wins Over/Under: 70.5

Odds To Win 2018 AL Central: +2000

Odds To Win 2018 AL Pennant: +6000

2018 Chicago White Sox Odds To Win World Series: +12500

Outlook: The White Sox finished with the fourth-worst record in baseball last year. And they aren't any better this season. The good news is that if you like watching minor league prospects struggle to adjust to the Major League level then the 2018 White Sox are going to be a treasure trove of adventure. But if you're looking for a team that can be the least bit competitive on a day-in, day-out basis then you'll need to look elsewhere.

It's not even worth going through the roster. The guys you are going to want to keep an eye on are Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Carson Fulmer and Tim Anderson. First baseman Jose Abreu, who is an All-Star-caliber player, will toil in relative obscurity surrounded by these youngsters.

The White Sox still stink. It will be a miracle if they don't lose 90 games. The end.

Detroit Tigers

2017 Record: 64-98 (-3120)

2018 Wins Over/Under: 67.5

Odds To Win 2018 AL Central: +6000

Odds To Win 2018 AL Pennant: +15000

2018 Detroit Tigers Odds To Win World Series: +30000

Outlook: When you look at Detroit's record last season, it is hard to believe that they entered the year trying to compete for a division title. They weren't planning on blowing up the roster and entering what promises to be a long rebuilding era. But dems the breaks.

Detroit must hope that Miguel Cabrera's injury-plagued 2017 season was a fluke. And they are crossing their fingers that Victor Martinez can stay healthy. Because with those two players they at least have a chance to win some games because the rest of the offense is pretty feeble.

The pitching staff isn't any better. I still think Michael Fulmer can be a stud. But Jordan Zimmerman is awful, and Francisco Liriano can't be trusted. And those are the high points of an ugly looking pitching staff.

Things aren't good in Detroit. This is one of three or four teams in the Majors that have a legit shot at losing 100 games. I think they will avoid that ignominy. But only if Cabrera and V-Mart stay healthy and effective despite the tornado of terrible swirling around them.

2018 American League Central Picks and Predictions: Predicted Order of Finish

1. Cleveland Indians

2. Minnesota Twins

3. Kansas City Royals

4. Chicago White Sox

5. Detroit Tigers

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Robert Ferringo is a professional sports handicapper for Doc's Sports. He is considered one of the top MLB cappers in the country and has turned a profit in four of five baseball seasons (and six of his last eight). Robert exploded for an incredible +$13,100 profit run last year from mid-April to late July and he plans on doing it again this year. Robert has posted four of five winning years on the diamond and is looking for another big season. Click here for more information on his MLB picks .

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