While the Cleveland Guardians are entering the 2026 season at a crossroads, they’re not the only team in the American League Central that needs to figure out a direction for the future.
Enter the Detroit Tigers, who blew a 15 1/2 game lead against the Guardians in the AL Central but ended up besting Cleveland in the postseason and making it to the ALDS. They also employ the best pitcher on the planet in Tarik Skubal — though his future is a bit up in the air due to the fact he’s set to be a free agent after 2026.