2022 American League Central Division Prediction, Odds: (Can Anyone Compete With the White Sox?)

The American League Central Division was pretty much a cakewalk for the Chicago White Sox in the 2021 season, and oddsmakers don’t expect much to change this season. 

Despite the Minnesota Twins signing of shortstop Carlos Correa, only the White Sox are projected to win more than half of their games, with Minnesota coming right in at the .500 mark at 81.5. 

There is an up-and-coming Detroit Tigers team in the division as well, but the Central could be in for a rough go, especially if the Cleveland Guardians deal star Jose Ramirez before the end of the season. The Kansas City Royals and Guardians are expected to bring up the rear in this division in 2022. 

That being said, can someone challenge the White Sox this season? Here are the win totals, World Series odds and a division pick for the AL Central teams, with all odds via WynnBET Sportsbook: 

AL Central Division Win Total Predictions

• White Sox: 91.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
• Twins: 81.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
• Tigers: 79.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
• Royals: 75.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
• Guardians: 76.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Chicago White Sox Win Total Prediction

The White Sox are running things back with essentially the same team after winning 93 games last season.

Chicago has a lethal back end of the bullpen with Liam Hendriks, Craig Kimbrel, Aaron Bummer, Joe Kelly and Garrett Crochet, and starters Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito will likely be Cy Young candidates this season. 

The White Sox didn’t have enough to get past the Houston Astros in the postseason in 2021, but they’ll have a healthy Eloy Jimenez to start the 2022 season. Chicago has firepower both in its lineup and in the pitching staff, so I’d expect a similar result to last year’s 93-win performance.

Lean: OVER 91.5

Kansas City Royals Win Total Prediction

Zack Grienke is back where it all started in Kansas City, but that hasn’t moved the needle for the Royals as they are expected to finish last in the AL Central this season. 

Salvador Perez, White Merrifield and Adalberto Mondesi are a solid starting point in the lineup, but Kansas City simply didn’t score enough last season, ranking 24th in runs scored and 25th in OPS. 

The Royals haven’t won more than 75 games since 2017, so I’m going to lean to the under here with the division improving slightly this season. 

Lean: UNDER 75.5 

Minnesota Twins Win Total Prediction

The addition of Carlos Correa makes the Twins a lot more interesting in 2022 after they underperformed and finished with a 73-89 record, good for last in the AL Central. 

Minnesota also traded for Sonny Gray to help bolster the rotation, and superstar Byron Buxton is back healthy after missing a large chunk of the 2021 season due to injury. If Buxton and Correa both stay healthy, the Twins are a dark horse team to make the wild card and compete for the division crown. 

Lean: OVER 81.5 

Detroit Tigers Win Total Prediction

The Tigers also made a big splash in the shortstop market, as they signed Javier Baez to a multiyear deal. Detroit finished third in the AL Central with 77 wins last season, and it added starter Eduardo Rodriguez from Boston to help stabilize the rotation in 2022. 

Detroit has a lot of young talent, especially with starters Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal, but there is still a little ways to go before we consider the Tigers a playoff contender. 

If Mize and Skubal can prove they are top end starters, the Tigers could go over this number. 

Lean: OVER 79.5  

Cleveland Guardians Win Total Prediction

It’s really surprising to see the Guardians so far down this list, as they have won 80 or more games in the last eight full MLB seasons, but there is a chance they could be sellers at the deadline this year. 

Star Jose Ramirez has just a club option left on his deal for the 2023 season, and Cleveland’s low payroll and failure to keep Francisco Lindor could be foreshadowing what is to come this season. 

I like the young arms the Guardians have, especially Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie, but I could see this being a rebuilding year, especially since other division opponents went out and improved this offseason. 

Lean: UNDER 76.5

AL Central Division World Series Odds

• White Sox: +1200
• Twins: +4000
• Tigers: +4000
• Guardians: +7500
• Royals: +10000

Predicting the AL Central Division Winner

The odds suggest that this is Chicago’s division to lose, and I’m not going to tell you otherwise. 

The White Sox are the most complete team in the AL Central, and they have a solid mix of up-and-coming young stars and veterans that make them one of the best teams in all of baseball. 

The Twins are the only team that I can even see making a push for the division crown, and considering the four other teams all finished below .500 last season, Chicago has a serious leg up in the central. 

Looking for more previews ahead of Opening Day? Check out the BetSided team’s AL East and NL West previews here!