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AL Central Preview: Tigers Open as Favorites to Win the Division
The Tigers strengthened their pitching with key acquisitions including Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander while the White Sox aim to improve after a franchise-record 121 losses in 2024.
- This year, the Detroit Tigers enter as AL Central favorites seeking their first division title since 2014, led by two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. The Chicago White Sox aim to climb out of the division basement.
- Detroit beefed up its rotation by adding Framber Valdez from the Astros and welcoming 43-year-old Justin Verlander back to the franchise where he spent his first 13 seasons. The Tigers rebounded from a brutal September collapse by beating the Guardians two games to one in the AL Wild Card Series.
- A balanced Tigers lineup features Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres, Kerry Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson, while prospect Kevin McGonigle impressed in camp. Veteran Javier Báez hit.295 with an AL-leading 47 doubles, 23 homers and 38 stolen bases in 2025 but regressed to.223 after the break.
- Chicago signed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a $34 million, two-year contract and added Josh Bell, Victor Caratini and Taylor Rogers. After three straight years of 100-plus losses, including a franchise-record 121 in 2024, the White Sox appear to be trending in the right direction.
- The Cleveland Guardians chase a third straight AL Central title despite one of baseball's lowest payrolls, while Kansas City finished 82-80 and signed Starling Marte to a $1 million deal hoping Jac Caglianone breaks out. Minnesota's 70-92 record leaves wide-ranging outcomes possible across the division.
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16 Articles
16 Articles
Associated Press News+13 Reposted by 13 other sources
AL Central Preview: Tigers open as favorites while the White Sox try to climb out of the basement
The Detroit Tigers and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal have their sights set on winning the AL Central for the first time since 2014.
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The Tigers and Tarik Skubal, perhaps in their last campaign in Detroit, have their sights set on winning the Central Division of the American League for the first time since 2014.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution36% Left, 36% Center
Bias Distribution
- 36% of the sources lean Left, 36% of the sources are Center
36% Center
L 36%
C 36%
R 28%
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