If they get a break or two, we’re talking about a sleeper World Series candidate. If Chicago gets a fair runout this year, they beat this number. And the division has two rebuilding teams (Kansas City, Detroit) and two other teams (Cleveland, Minnesota) that are merely good, not great. There are plausible MVP and Cy Young candidates - plural - on this roster. Everything went wrong last year, with injuries and mishaps, even the wrong manager. Scott Pianowski: The White Sox over 82.5 feels like a gift to me. A focus on throwing first-pitch strikes will be huge and a big reason the Royals go over their win total of 69.5 (+100). The pitching last year was abysmal under former pitching coach Cal Eldred, and the Royals walked far too many. But I also think the biggest improvement will come from the pitching staff and the organization’s open embrace of a more data-based approach. Melendez should get better, and I think Vinnie Pasquantino will keep mashing. Nick Bromberg: I’m really bullish on the Kansas City Royals making a significant leap this year despite not adding much to the team from a year ago. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) Which win totals are your favorites? Jose Altuve and Astros manager Dusty Baker celebrate on the field after the Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies to win the 2022 World Series.

Mlb odds winning world series