Brandon Brown
Throughout the season, CBS Sports MLB experts will bring you a weekly Batting Around roundtable breaking down just about everything. The latest news, a historical issue, thoughts on the future of baseball, all sorts of things. Last week we discussed the teams that surprised us the most. This week we face the surprisingly competitive AL Central.
What is the best team in the AL Central?
RJ Anderson: I think they’re still the Twins. They started the year slowly, resulting in what is only the third-best rushing differential in the Central. But they’ve changed that lately, and I feel better about their lineup than the Guardians or the Royals. (Additionally, the Guardians’ early season success can be attributed to six extra wins; that’s simply not sustainable over the entire campaign.) Barring injuries – there’s no sure bet with this Twins lineup – they’re still my pick to win the division.
Dayn Perry: I want to be tempted by the Royals’ start, but I have to agree and lean on the Twins to repeat. Obviously Guardians are very involved in the discussion given their current track record, but I think starting to release is too weak for this to continue. The Twins, in my opinion, have the strongest roster in the division and also the best organizational depth. I think they will reach 90 victories and take the flag.
Matt Snyder: The Twins took some heat for beating bad teams, but they actually played fewer sub-.500 teams than the Guardians and Royals. They righted the ship from a disastrous start and have looked very strong ever since. Byron Buxton returns in the next few days and will definitely start batting soon. Royce Lewis is also returning and could make your lineup dynamic. Pitching, though, is key, as Joe Ryan, Pablo López and Bailey Ober give them a great top three, with rookie Simeon Woods Richardson looking good and Johan Duran is back from injury to close out the end of the game.
They’re my pick, although it’s close to the three – with the Tigers not too far behind – and I hope it stays that way all season.
Mike Axisa: Cleveland’s offense has exceeded my expectations, even with Kyle Manzardo still not advancing (it’s only been two weeks). They’re already pushing the limits of their pitching depth and I’m not sure they have enough quality arms to remain at the top of the division for another four and a half months. The Royals really need someone besides Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez (and Vinnie Pasquantino) to start hitting, because I can’t say I expect Seth Lugo, Alec Marsh and Brady Singer to combine for a 2.26 ERA all season. the season. This season feels like a warm-up for a 2025 breakout in Kansas City.
The Twins have the best combination of offense, rotation stability, overall depth, and health right now. They’ll almost certainly need a starter at the deadline, but they’ll only need a No. 4-5 type, not a front-line guy. Minnesota is well placed at the top of the rotation with Pablo López, Bailey Ober and Joe Ryan. I simply like their squad better and think their early season performance is more sustainable. The Guardians are running out of weapons and the Royals are really counting on Witt, Perez and Lugo to carry them.
