Sports

AL Central predictions

April 2, 2016 at 9:49PM

Kansas City Royals' Lorenzo Cain celebrates a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning in Game 6 of baseball's American League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 23, 2015, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) ORG XMIT: ALCS148 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Predictions: AL Central

Veteran baseball writer La Velle E. Neal III predicts the Twins will finish third in the AL Central, which many experts have tabbed as baseball's toughest division. Neal's take on the competition:

1. Kansas City

Center fielder Lorenzo Cain heads a strong cast of returning position players, but the rotation is a question mark. The Royals lost Johnny Cueto to free agency and lefty Jason Vargas to elbow surgery. Danny Duffy and Chris Young are keys.

2. Cleveland

Excellent rotation could go for naught again if Indians don't get more offense. Left fielder Michael Brantley, expected back in April after shoulder surgery, is the key; he has a .319 batting average and .382 OBP the past two seasons.

4. Detroit

Two-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera missed 43 games last season as the Tigers stumbled. A healthy Cabrera and the addition of free-agent righthander Jordan Zimmermann could have the Tigers contending again.

5. Chicago

The White Sox look much improved after the offseason additions of Todd Frazier (third base) and Brett Lawrie (second base). The pitching should be solid with lefties Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon atop the rotation.

13 August 2015: Cleveland Indians Left field Michael Brantley (23) [5594] flies out to left during the first inning of the game between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. New York defeated Cleveland 8-6. (Icon Sportswire via AP Images) ORG XMIT: 244880 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera hits a fly ball for an out against the Cleveland Indians during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, in Detroit. The Indians won 8-1. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson) ORG XMIT: MIDB111 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) throws against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 7, 2015 in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks) ORG XMIT: CXS103 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)