American League Central: 2025 Projected Opening Day Lineups and Rotations

As the 2025 MLB season draws near, the American League Central promises an exciting mix of young talent, experienced veterans, and intriguing storylines. Teams in this division have made notable roster changes, and several key injuries have altered the Opening Day outlook. Here’s a complete breakdown of the projected lineups and rotations for each AL Central team.  

 Cleveland Guardians  

Lineup:  
1. Steven Kwan, LF  
2. José Ramírez, 3B  
3. Lane Thomas, CF  
4. Carlos Santana, 1B  
5. Jhonkensy Noel, RF  
6. Kyle Manzardo, DH  
7. Gabriel Arias, 2B  
8. Bo Naylor, C  
9. Brayan Rocchio, SS  

Rotation/Closer:  
1. Tanner Bibee, RHP  
2. Luis Ortiz, RHP  
3. Gavin Williams, RHP  
4. Ben Lively, RHP  
5. Logan Allen, LHP  
Closer: Emmanuel Clase, RHP  

 Kansas City Royals  

Lineup:  
1. Jonathan India, 3B  
2. Bobby Witt Jr., SS  
3. Vinnie Pasquantino, DH  
4. Salvador Perez, C  
5. MJ Melendez, LF  
6. Hunter Renfroe, RF  
7. Michael Massey, 2B  
8. Mark Canha, 1B  
9. Kyle Isbel, CF  

Rotation/Closer:  
1. Cole Ragans, LHP  
2. Seth Lugo, RHP  
3. Michael Wacha, RHP  
4. Michael Lorenzen, RHP  
5. Kris Bubic, LHP  
Closer: Carlos Estévez, RHP  

 Detroit Tigers  

Lineup:  
1. Wenceel Pérez, CF  
2. Gleyber Torres, 2B  
3. Riley Greene, LF  
4. Spencer Torkelson, DH  
5. Andy Ibáñez, 3B  
6. Colt Keith, 1B  
7. Manuel Margot, RF  
8. Jake Rogers, C  
9. Javier Báez, SS  

Rotation/Closer:  
1. Tarik Skubal, LHP  
2. Jack Flaherty, RHP  
3. Reese Olson, RHP  
4. Jackson Jobe, RHP  
5. Casey Mize, RHP  
Closer: Beau Brieske, RHP  

 Minnesota Twins  

Lineup:  
1. Matt Wallner, RF  
2. Carlos Correa, SS  
3. Byron Buxton, CF  
4. Trevor Larnach, LF  
5. Ryan Jeffers, C  
6. Jose Miranda, 3B  
7. Edouard Julien, DH  
8. Ty France, 1B  
9. Willi Castro, 2B  

Rotation/Closer:  
1. Pablo López, RHP  
2. Joe Ryan, RHP  
3. Bailey Ober, RHP  
4. Chris Paddack, RHP  
5. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP  
Closer: Jhoan Duran, RHP  

 Chicago White Sox  

Lineup:  
1. Austin Slater, RF  
2. Luis Robert Jr., CF  
3. Andrew Benintendi, DH  
4. Andrew Vaughn, 1B  
5. Matt Thaiss, C  
6. Miguel Vargas, 3B  
7. Lenyn Sosa, 2B  
8. Michael A. Taylor, LF  
9. Jacob Amaya, SS  

Rotation/Closer:  
1. Sean Burke, RHP  
2. Davis Martin, RHP  
3. Martín Pérez, LHP  
4. Shane Smith, RHP  
5. Jonathan Cannon, RHP  
Closer: TBD