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AL Central MLB Betting Analysis for 2017

AL Central MLB Betting Analysis for 2017

Written by on June 28, 2017

MLB News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
When you look at the American League Central, you see a division that no one really seems to want to win all that badly. The Cleveland Indians (40-36) sit in first right now and they’re MLB odds favorites to win the AL Central, despite the fact that the Minnesota Twins (39-36) swept them over the weekend. Minnesota has led the Central for most of the season, but the Tribe took the lead a weekend ago, sweeping the Twins up in Minneapolis. Right behind the Twins are the Kansas City Royals (37-38. 2 ½ GB), who have awakened from their early-season malaise to win some games. Further behind are the Detroit Tigers (34-42, 6 GB) and the Chicago White Sox (33-43, 7 GB) who seem too flawed in a number of key areas to be contenders for the division. But what about these top three? Which one will emerge?

AL Central MLB Betting Analysis for 2017

Corey Kluber returns to the reservation

As the Cleveland Indians learned to their chagrin in the World Series last year, it’s really hard to win when you don’t have your best pitchers healthy. Corey Kluber is finally back off the disabled list, and in five June starts, he has posted a 3-0 record and a 1.29 ERA that is best in the entire American League. He has gone a combined 35 innings, permitting just 27 hitters to reach base and he has struck out 52. Having that pitcher coming around every five days keeps teams from falling into extended trouble. Given the fact that Trevor Bauer, Josh Tomlin, Carlos Carrasco and Mike Clevinger have all struggled with consistency this season, having Kluber back gives them the challenge of someone to emulate, and gives the whole team confidence. His return should signal a rise by the Indians back to the top of the division.

But what about those Twins?

After that sweep this past weekend (the first Minnesota sweep of the Indians in Cleveland since 1991), Minnesota has already won two series on the shore of Lake Erie this season. Ervin Santana, the Twins’ ace, has been up and down this season, but given the fact that the Indians have not taken off with the division, the Twins have managed to stay right there. Miguel Sano has blasted 18 home runs, which is the fourth highest total for any Twin in his age-24 season or younger before the All-Star break. Bob Allison (21) and Tom Brunansky (19) are all numbers that Sano could catch before the midseason recess. Young teams tend to roll with their confidence, and the more the Twins keep winning — and the Indians keep faltering — the more likely it is that the Twins could snatch this division. I don’t see a wild card going to a Central team, given how close they are all staying to .500, but the Twins could sneak in if Cleveland doesn’t take care of business.

Can Ned Yost pull off another miracle in Kansas City?

The Royals won 15 of 22 games in June, putting them right back in the thick of the division race. Danny Duffy will return soon from the disabled list and bolster a rotation that has become much more consistent. Jason Hammel, who came over from the Cubs in the off-season, seems to have shaken off his pitching woes as well. The Royals’ bats were silent for much of April and May, but now we’re seeing some big hitting from Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Salvador Perez. The question becomes now what trades the Royals’ front office can make to make this team even more competitive. The back of the bullpen could use some help, and one more big left-handed bat could make the difference as well. As it stands now, though, I don’t see either the Royals or the Twins catching the Indians. Cleveland’s pitching staff (rotation and bullpen) are the best in the division, and over time, pitching tends to carry the day. However, if Cleveland doesn’t win, they won’t be the first favorite ever to go by the wayside. The Royals are not a top favorite to win the AL Central division.

Upcoming AL Central Schedule

Cleveland Indians

  • June 28th, 2017 vs Texas Rangers. 7:10pm ET
  • June 29th, 2017 vs Texas Rangers. 12:10pm ET
  • July 30th, 2017 @ Detroit Tigers. 7:07pm ET
  • July 1st, 2017 @ Detroit Tigers. 1:07pm ET
  • July 2nd, 2017 @ Detroit Tigers. 1:07pm ET

Minnesota Twins

  • June 28th, 2017 @ Boston Red Sox. 7:10pm ET
  • June 29th, 2017 @ Boston Red Sox. 7:10pm ET
  • July 30th, 2017 @ Kansas City Royals. 8:15pm ET
  • July 1st, 2017 @ Kansas City Royals. 1:15pm ET
  • July 2nd, 2017 @ Kansas City Royals. 1:15pm ET

Kansas City Royals

  • June 28th, 2017 @ Detroit Tigers. 7:10pm ET
  • June 29th, 2017 @ Detroit Tigers. 1:10pm ET
  • July 30th, 2017 vs Minnesota Twins. 8:15pm ET
  • July 1st, 2017 vs Minnesota Twins. 1:15pm ET
  • July 2nd, 2017 vs Minnesota Twins. 1:15pm ET

Latest AL Central Betting Trends

Cleveland Indians

  • 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
  • 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total went UNDER in 6 of Cleveland’s last 7 games
  • Odds to Win AL Central Division: TBA
  • Odds to Win AL Conference: TBA

Minnesota Twins

  • The total went UNDER in 6 of Minnesota’s last 7 games
  • 18-7 ATS in the last 25 games on the road
  • 18-7 SU in the last 25 games on the road
  • Odds to Win AL Central Division: TBA
  • Odds to Win AL Conference: TBA

Kansas City Royals

  • 11-4 ATS in the last 15 games
  • 11-4 SU in the last 15 games
  • The total went OVER in 8 of Kansas City’s last 11 games on the road
  • Odds to Win AL Central Division: TBA
  • Odds to Win AL Conference: TBA
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