Best 2026 American League Central Season-Long Future Betting Predictions

We continue on with our tour of MLB team 2026 futures. Today it's the AL Central, land of “hey let’s only pay what we have to and hope for 85 wins.” 

OK in all fairness, the Tigers paid up for Framber Valdez and carry the 10th highest payroll in MLB, so they’re going for it in likely their last year with Tarikl Skubal. They are the favorites at -120. How about some of the others?

Cleveland Guardians Under 80.5 wins (-105 DraftKings)

I know, I know, the Guardians somehow parlay 1.5 good hitters and an excellent bullpen into an AL Central crown every year. But c’mon, this team is horrible. Jose Ramirez had a 6.3 WAR in 2025, and Steven Kwan was at 3.2, then no other batter exceeded 1.5. Their two “aces”, Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams, had mixed seasons but in all fairness were very good down the stretch. But that’s the closest thing this team has to proven commodities. Joey Cantillo shows promise as he had a 3.21 ERA in 95 IP last year, but his 1.26 WHIP and 3.83 SIERA suggest he outpitched his metrics.

And as usual, they have done literally nothing to improve on their squad. Their payroll ranks next to last in MLB. They will basically run everything back and hope to stay in range in the weakest division in MLB. Mid 80’s wins probably gets it done, but Fangraphs projects them for just 75.6 and the overall talent level here suggests that’s about right, Sell, Mortimer, Sell.

KC Royals Win Division (½ unit, +225 DraftKings)

Like the Guardians, KC has an absolute superstar leading the way as Bobby Witt Jr. produced an 8 WAR season in what oddly seemed like a ‘down” year. It's all relative; his homers dropped from 32 to 23 and his AVG sunk from .322 all the way to ….. .295. Unlike Ramirez, he’s surrounded by a solid lineup. Maikel Garcia (.286/.351/.449), Vinnie Pasquantino (32 homers, 113 RBI’s), and the ageless Salvy Perez (30 homers, 100 RBI’s). I’m really optimistic Jac Caglianone gets it together in Year 2 after some insanely bad batted ball luck in his debut. His XBA of .237 won’t light hearts afire, but his actual Avg. was a ghastly .157. He hit 19 barrels (12% Barrel%) but it only produced 7 homers. That ratio should only go up as KC will bring in their fences in 2026.

That of course is not great news for the pitchers, but it's more than offset if ace Cole Ragans can stay on the field. He only lasted 61.2 IP in 2025, but he did end the season on the mound. His 4.67 ERA was just a small sample size aberration as his 2.67 xERA and 2.52 SIERA and 38.1% K% show he’s still one of the best SP’s in the game. Kris Bubic staying upright is the other key as he flashed breakout, but his season ended in late July.

Minnesota Twins Over 72.5 Wins (-125 BetRivers) Win Division (¼ unit, +1100 BetRivers)

The Twins and Guardians should have the reverse win totals. Minnesota sold off half the team in a lost 2025, but they kept all their good SP’s and its a pretty good rotation even with Pablo Lopez likely down for the duration. Joe Ryan is an ace and Simeon Woods-Richardson really put it all together mid year as he had a 3.10 ERA and 1.10 WHIP from June 26th on. Bailey Ober, Zebby Matthews and Taj Bradley have all shown major promise at times.

A lot depends on whether Byron Buxton can stay healthy, and yeah, I know that’s always a tough bet. But he managed a career high 542 PA’s last year, and he smashed 35 homers while slashing 264/.327/.551. It would help if Royce could spike some PA’s as well. It’s a non-terrible group around them, and in this division maybe that’s enough.