Pitching should keep the Indians atop weak AL Central

A look at every team in the American League Central and their 2019 predicted order of finish.

1 | CLEVELAND INDIANS

2018 | 91-71, 1^st in Central

Last year in playoffs | 2018

What is arguably baseball’s best rotation, a group headed by two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, will keep the Indians in the hunt for their fourth straight division title, and a bullpen anchored by Brad Hand looks stout despite the loss of closer Cody Allen and versatile left-hander Andrew Miller. A top-heavy lineup featuring leadoff man Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez, who combined for 163 extra-base hits and 197 RBIs last season, should benefit from the return of Bradley Zimmer from shoulder surgery in July.

2 | MINNESOTA TWINS

2018 |78-84, 2^nd in Central

Last year in playoffs | 2017

New manager Rocco Baldelli has an improved roster. The addition of right-handed sluggers Nelson Cruz, who has averaged 40 homers and 104 RBIs over the past five seasons, and C.J. Cron, who had 30 homers and 74 RBIs in 140 game for Tampa Bay in 2018, helps balance a lineup that includes the left-handed-hitting Eddie Rosario, Max Kepler and Jason Castro and switch-hitters Jorge Polanco and Marwin Gonzalez, who will play third base until Miguel Sano returns from leg surgery in May. The rotation may lack an ace but is solid.

3 | CHICAGO WHITE SOX

2018 | 62-100, 4^th in Central

Last year in playoffs | 2008

The White Sox have been stockpiling prospects during a lengthy rebuilding process in which they’ve averaged 69 wins over the past six years. One of those players—outfielder Eloy Jimenez—should boost the lineup immediately after signing a 6-year, $43 million contract March 20. The rotation should benefit from a full season from ace Carlos Rodon, who was limited by shoulder surgery to 20 starts in 2018.

4 | DETROIT TIGERS

2018 | 64-98, 3^rd in Central

Last year in playoffs | 2014

Two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera appears sound after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a ruptured left biceps tendon last June. The Tigers will need significant production from the 35-year-old slugger, who has five years and $162 million left on his contract, to be competitive. Ace Michael Fulmer, the 2016 AL rookie of the year, will open the season on the injured list after undergoing off-season right-knee surgery. Youngsters Christin Stewart and Jeimer Candelario show promise, but the Tigers appear years away from contending.

5 | KANSAS CITY ROYALS

2018 | 58-104, 5^th in Central

Last year in playoffs | 2015

Three years after winning the World Series, the Royals had the second-worst record in baseball in 2018, and they remain in a rebuilding phase. Kansas City did well to sign veteran catcher Martin Maldonado, a capable defensive replacement for Salvador Perez, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery in early March. But Maldonado is not a productive hitter and won’t match Perez’s 25-homer, 80-RBI power. The return of cleanup batter Jorge Soler, who missed the last three months of the 2018 season because of a foot injury, should bolster the lineup.

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mike.digiovanna@latimes.com

@MikeDiGiovanna