2015 MLB preview: American League Central

Detroit Tigers

2014 record: 90-72, first place, lost to Baltimore in division series

Manager: Brad Ausmus (second season)

Hot Spots: The bullpen. Although a problem last season, the Tigers brought back many of the same relievers from 2014 but might not be as patient with RHP Joe Nathan (5-4, 4.81 ERA, 35/42 saves) if he starts slowly at age 40. Injuries are also nagging the Tigers. RHP Justin Verlander (15-12, 4.54) is starting the season on the disabled list because of tightness in his right triceps, and 1B Miguel Cabrera (.313, 25 HRs, 109 RBIs) and DH Victor Martinez (.335, 32, 103) are both recovering from offseason operations and missed a good chunk of the exhibition season.

Outlook: After four consecutive Central titles, the Tigers are not a clear favorite this season. Kansas City Cleveland and the White Sox look threatening. After losing RHP Max Scherzer to free agency, Detroit is hoping for a bounce-back season from Verlander. LHP David Price (15-12, 3.26, MLB-best 271 Ks with Detroit and Tampa Bay) pitched Detroit to a division-clinching win on the final day of the 2014 season, and now the Tigers are hoping a full season of the left-hander will help stave off any major decline in their fortunes.

Kansas City Royals

2014 record: 89-73, second place, lost to San Francisco in World Series

Manager: Ned Yost (sixth season)

Hot Spots: The bullpen and the weight room. The Royals return RHP Greg Holland (1-3, 1.44, 46 saves), RHP Wade Davis (9-2, 1.00), RHP Kelvin Herrera (4-3, 1.41) that last year turned just about any lead after the sixth inning into a win. Throw in RHP Luke Hochevar, back from Tommy John surgery, and most games could be reduced to five innings from the rotation. As for the weight room? Well, the Royals will need to do a whole lot better than the 95 home runs they produced last season if they want to repeat as A.L. champs.

Outlook: The Royals are no longer the overlooked little brother in the stacked Central. After reaching Game 7 of the World Series, expectations have changed, and fans that were content with being in contention will no longer settle for a .500 record. That means there will be pressure on a lot of young players, including 1B Eric Hosmer (.270, 9, 58) and 3B Mike Moustakas (.212, 15, 54), to assume leadership roles for the first time.

Cleveland Indians

2014 record: 85-77, third place

Manager: Terry Francona (third season)

Hot Spots: 2B Jason Kipnis. An All-Star in 2013, the 28-year-old had a forgettable 2014 (.240, 6, 41), which began with him signing a six-year, $52.5 million contract. A strained oblique landed him on the disabled list in April and Kipnis never fully recovered. The Indians are counting on him to bounce back, drive in runs and be a team leader.

Outlook: With a strong nucleus, one of baseball’s youngest rotations and budding superstars in LF Michael Brantley (.327, 20, 97, 45 2Bs) and RHP Corey Kluber (18-9, 2.44, 269 Ks, Cy Young winner), the Indians are poised to do more than just contend in ’14. They were in the playoff race until the final weekend last season despite injuries and sub-par seasons from key players, and there’s no reason to think they won’t be in the hunt again. Francona has a gift for getting his players to buy in and believe, and the Indians are confident they can move to the top of the challenging Central.

Chicago White Sox

2014 record: 73-89, fourth place

Manager: Robin Ventura (fourth season)

Hot Spots: Second base and rotation depth. Chicago is inexperienced at second base, where rookie Micah Johnson appears to be the leader in their competition. Another question mark is the back end of the rotation, although the White Sox are strong at the top with LHP Chris Sale (12-4, 2.17, 208 Ks, 39 BBs), RHP Jeff Samardzija (7-13, 2.99, 202 Ks, with Cubs, Oakland) and LHP Jose Quintana (9-11, 3.32).

Outlook: The White Sox believe they are poised to contend in the Central after back-to-back losing seasons. They added left-handed pop to their lineup when they signed DH Adam LaRoche (.259, 26, 92 with Washington) to complement AL Rookie of the Year 1B Jose Abreu (.317, 36, 107), and they boosted the top of the order with the addition of LF Melky Cabrera (.301, 16, 73 with Toronto). They also strengthened their rotation by acquiring Samardzija and their bullpen by signing RHP David Robertson (4-5, 3.08, 39/44 saves with Yankees) and LHP Zach Duke (5-1, 2.45 with Milwaukee).

Minnesota Twins

2014 record: 70-92, last place

Manager: Paul Molitor (first season)

Hot Spots: The starting rotation. RHP Phil Hughes (16-10, 3.52, major league-record 11.63 strikeout-walk ratio) had a stellar season after shedding the pressure of that New York Yankees uniform, but the onus will be on him to come back with another one. RHP Ricky Nolasco (6-12, 5.38), the other big-money signing for last year, can only get better after a career-worst season. The Twins were dealt a devastating blow three days before their opener when RHP Ervin Santana (14-10, 3.95 with Atlanta), pegged as the No. 2 starter after signing a four-year contract, was suspended for 80 games for a positive performance enhancing drug test.

Outlook: Molitor has succeeded Ron Gardenhire, who ran the dugout for the last 13 years, and brought with him the natural fresh start of a new boss. There’s nowhere to go but up for a club that has averaged 96 losses over the last four seasons, but patience has worn thin within the fan base and the front office so improvement will be expected under the 58-year-old Molitor.