A little over a decade after their previous division title (2008), the Chicago White Sox returned to the top and claimed the AL Central crown last season. The division has claimed a number of AL pennants over the past 20 years, with the Sox winning in 2005 (and the World Series), the Detroit Tigers in 2006 and 2012, the Kansas City Royals going back to back in 2014 and 2015 (with a World Series title in the latter year) and the Cleveland Indians (now the Guardians), in 2016. If the Minnesota Twins could just get past those Yankees ...

• Chicago White Sox

  The White Sox are the reigning AL Central Champions. This team is filled with big names and a healthy mix of young and veteran talent. With Jose Abreu, Luis Robert, Dylan Cease and Liam Hendriks in the mix, this is one of the most talented rosters in the game. However, the White Sox did not play up to their potential in this first half of the season. The club showed improvement as the All-Star break approached and a strong second half could vault them into October riding a wave of momentum.

• Division Titles: 6
• League Pennants: 6
• World Series Titles: 3

• Cleveland Guardians

  Coming off of a complete rebrand, the Guardians are poised to make a splash with their new team name. Jose Ramirez is a slugger to keep an eye on and they also have a former AL Cy Young award winner Shane Bieber. After finishing second in the AL Central last year, the Guardians have struggled with consistency in 2022, but were just two games back of the division lead at the All-Star break and are more than capable of making a run and winning the division.

  • Division Titles: 10
  • League Pennants: 6
  • World Series Titles: 2

• Detroit Tigers

  The Detroit Tigers are a team many think are on the rise. They were a bottom-of-the-barrel team from 2017-2020, but last year showed that they have the pieces to be a contender in the AL Central. After finishing 77-85 in 2021, the Tigers called up top-ranked prospect Spencer Torkelson to play with rising star Akil Baddoo. They also have veteran slugger Miguel Cabrera to pair with the young talent. Torkelson struggled a bit initially and fellow top prospect Riley Greene was also called up. The Tigers may be a bit further away than initially though, but the future still looks bright in Detroit.

  • Division Titles: 7
  • League Pennants: 11
  • World Series Titles: 4

• Kansas City Royals

  The Kansas City Royals are another team that has spent recent years in the bottom half of the AL Central. Aside from their World Series title in 2015, the Royals have been anything but impressive. However, Kansas City fans have a couple things to be excited about as the debut of Bobby Witt Jr. provides promise for the future.

  • Division Titles: 7
  • League Pennants: 4
  • World Series Titles: 2

• Minnesota Twins

  Although the Twins are coming off of a lackluster 2021 season, they proved that they want to change their direction, now. They showed this by acquiring shortstop Carlos Correa and pitcher Sonny Gray. They also have speedy centerfielder Byron Buxton atop the lineup. The Twins played well in the first half and led the division at the All-Star break.

  • Division Titles: 12
  • League Pennants: 6
  • World Series Titles: 3