A.L. Central Futures - The Return of the Twinkies

One of the most intriguing divisions in baseball in 2009 promises to be the A.L. Central where the Chicago White Sox, surprise winners of the A.L. Central in 2008, will look to repeat in 2009.

It’s no going to be easy because the A.L. Central has come up tough this season. The BetUS online sportsbook has released odds on the teams to win the A.L. Central Division.

Let’s analyze the A.L. Central Division.

MLB: A.L. Central Futures

1. Chicago White Sox +550 - - The White Sox were a surprise team in 2008 and could be a surprise team in 2009, but every team in the A.L. Central has a shot this season. So, why bet the White Sox when the Indians, Tigers and Twins all can play with them? The problem with the White Sox is that they’re not going to dominant any teams with Mark Beuherle, their ace, on the mound. The bats will be there, but their pitching is suspect. On the plus side, can bettors finally just admit that manager Ozzie Guillen is good? No matter what he says or how he acts, he’s a good manager, okay?

2. Cleveland Indians +160 - - Cliff Lee is awesome, 2.54 ERA and 22 and 3 record in 2008 speaks for itself. Fausto Carmona should bounce back from a subpar 2008 and they did unload C.C. Sabbathia, who had become a huge mental strain on this team. So, there are positives in the rotation, but where are the runs coming from? Jhonny Peralta can hit and so can Mark DeRosa, but they’re not going to put fear into anyone. The odds seem too low to me considering their perceived lack of run production.

3. Detroit Tigers +300 - - The Tigers can bounce back in a big way in 2009 if they can just get their pitching staff to step it up. What’s going on with Justin Verlander? If he doesn’t get that ERA down from the 4.84 he put up in 2008, then the Tigers might be toast again. But if he, and Jeremy Bonderman who has to improve from a 4.24 ERA, can get better then the Tigers have a chance to win the division. They should score runs with abandon with that batting line-up.

4. Kansas City Royals +900 - - The Royals don’t have the pitchers or the bats to contend in the A.L. Central. That’s all there is to it. Forget about chemistry, management, ownership, etc. Kansas City just doesn’t have the players. They may never have the players again.

5. Minnesota Twins +250 - - So tell me why small market teams can’t compete in baseball? Minnesota is a small market team, but they compete every year. How? It starts with management where Ron Gardenhire has led this team to at least a 79 game winning season every year since taking over in 2002. They also only have one losing season in the last seven years. Oh, they have a pretty good starting rotation too. Ace Scott Baker went 11 and 4 with a 3.45 ERA in 2008. Their bats start with Justin Morneau who hit .300 with 23 home runs and 129 RBIs. This team is good.

Best Long Shot

Chicago White Sox +550 - - They surprised gamblers last year so why not this year at better than expected odds? The White Sox aren’t the best team in the A.L. Central, but Ozzie Guillen just won’t let these guys fail. They’re a long shot because on paper the Twins and Indians look better, but I wouldn’t put it past the White Sox to pull another rabbit out of their collective hats and win the A.L. Central again.