MLB Storylines Halfway Through The Season || PART 2 || AL CENTRAL

Edition #111

Intro:

The MLB is just fascinating. As simple as that. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, well, things go wrong. The one team that exhibits that the most? The Arizona Diamondbacks. Heck, even the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Long story short, the Diamondbacks were supposed to be #2 in the NL West chasing down the Dodgers after reaching the World Series. That hasn’t happened.

I’m starting a new series, reviewing every team in every single division. We’re going to continue this with the AL Central. Let’s get it.

AL Central

Cleveland Guardians

Did you expect, at the start of this season, that the Guardians would own the best record in the MLB even for a day? If you did, you're something else. At the time I’m writing this article, the Guardians have the best record in the American League. Wow.

And guess what? They're doing it without their ace, Shane Bieber.

At home, they're one of the best teams. Away is a different story, as they’re 27-22. Other than that, their turf, grass, and day/night game win/loss percentages are pretty average.

This team ain't very good on paper either. They don't have a better roster than the Dodgers! All Cleveland has is Jose Ramirez, Steven Kwan, and Andrés Giménez.

All I’m saying is, keep up the work and yeah.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team dominates the west, but doesn’t play well against the central.

Minnesota Twins

This is a very good team with a lot of superstars. Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and in a stronger Central division this year, you can’t criticize the Twins for falling to 2nd in the division.

This team struggles against opponents in the East, they’re not very good against teams over .500, and the list goes on and on. You might ask, how is this team still in 2nd place?

Well, the answer is just like how I answered the Red Sox one, that’s baseball.

This team has a +52 run differential (mostly from games vs the A’s), they’ve scored more runs than the Guardians, and they’re only one game behind the Guardians for wins on the road.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team does not do good in night games. They’re 25-24.

Kansas City Royals

With 22 wins and 24 losses against teams over .500, not sure if this team is going to do good in the playoffs if they make it all, but certainly Seth Lugo has been a great one for them this season.

They’re also a great team at home. The problem is, all the losses on the road, but even then, this team still has 51 wins and 43 losses. They’re 2.5 games behind the Twins and 7 behind the Guardians. It doesn’t matter what, they’re still in this race.

They have to keep winning against the AL Central (like they are now) and need to dominate other opponents moving forward. They have to play like they can’t drop a series if they want to make the playoffs. Lazing off, ain’t gonna do any good.

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team has a losing record against teams in the east.

Detroit Tigers

This team’s probably not going to make it, but it’s still possible, being only 13 games back for the top spot. The Tigers have struggled… Everywhere.

They can’t win in the day, in the night, playing on grass, in 1-run games, and the list goes on and on. That’s just how it’s been this season for this team.

Last year, at this time, the Tigers were 39-50, in 3rd place in the division. This year, they; ‘re just about they’re except they’re 4th place. In 2023, they finished 2nd in the division. If that kind of comeback happened when they’re roster was even worse last year, why not think about this year?

ONE THING TO NOTE: This team does good against teams in the central.

White Sox

I guess that’s what happens when you trade so many assets of yours. You’re the worst team in baseball. Next up to leave Chicago, Luis Robert Jr.

Nothing to talk about this team, but for the one thing to note section, let’s talk about something good for a change.

ONE THING TO NOTE: They don’t have the worst run differential in the league. That’s owned by the Colorado Rockies.