No. 1 Cubs | No. 3 Giants | Nos. 10-1
Kansas City Royals
Last Season: 95-67
Projected record: 83-79 (tied for second in AL Central)
BBTN video preview: AL Central | Betting guide
Coming off two straight World Series appearances and their first title since 1985, don't bet against the Royals. This is a team that was still grumbling about the dire preseason predictions for them on the eve of the World Series. Once again, the computers don't project big things, so the Royals will enter 2016 with similar incentive. The most important move was re-signing free agent Alex Gordon to a four-year, $72 million contract that didn't break the budget. Ian Kennedy was overpaid ($70 million), but he has at least been a durable innings eater. This remains a team in its prime.
The Royals have obviously developed into one of baseball's best teams. But can they sustain their success with a roster that is older than some might realize? -- ESPN.com (graphic by Dan Szymborski)
The Royals will once again rely on their defense and bullpen, but the key will be an offense that scored 73 more runs than it did in 2014, in large part because K.C. hit an additional 44 home runs. Mike Moustakas made great strides, Kendrys Morales popped 22 home runs and Lorenzo Cain added power to his game and finished third in the MVP voting. The Royals will need those three to repeat.
The Royals' 4.34 rotation ERA ranked just 12th in the AL, and Kennedy is hardly a sure fix, coming off a season in which he allowed 31 home runs with the Padres. Yordano Ventura has No. 1 or 2 starter potential, but isn't there yet, and if the offense regresses, the rotation won't be good enough to pick up the slack. Second base is likely back in the hands of Omar Infante, coming off a miserable .220/.234/.318 season.
No. 1 Cubs | No. 3 Giants | Nos. 10-1
