DraftKings has set an 81.5-game win total for the 2023 Cleveland Guardians. The +2500 World Series favorite finished 1st in the American League Central Division and they have retooled with some quality free agents and are looking to repeat as AL Central Division champions.
The Guardians winning more than the DraftKings Ohio number is entirely possible, as Cleveland has made several off-season moves to improve upon its 92-70 2022 campaign.
Cleveland signs free agents Josh Bell & Mike Zunino
Cleveland signs free agent 1B Josh Bell and C Mike Zunino in the hopes of improving upon their 15th-best runs scored in 2022.
Josh Bell signed a two-year, $33 million contract this offseason and Bell swatted 17 bombs with 71 RBI splitting time with the Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres. Bell hit 37 home runs in 2019 and the Guardians are hoping the big slugger finds that form in 2023.
Mike Zunino will likely become Cleveland starting catcher and put up pedestrian numbers in 2022 for the Tampa Bay Rays. The 2021 All-Star is coming off an injury-plagued 2022 and the fresh start should benefit both Zunino and the Guardians.
Solid Starting Pitching and Bullpen
Cleveland had one of the best-starting rotations and bullpens in baseball, and we should expect more of the same in 2023.
The Guardians didn’t need to do much work during the offseason as Cleveland has one of the top rotations in the American League. Cal Quantrill, Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie combined for a 39-24 record last season and the Guardians also return starters Zac Plesac and Aaron Civale to a starting rotation with the 10th-best ERA in the game in 2022.
Guardians closer Emanuel Clase led the American League in Saves (41) and is expected to have another strong 2023 campaign for a bullpen finishing 26th in ERA in 2022.
Can Jose Ramirez win the 2023 AL MVP Award?
Ramirez, at +1600 (Caesars), is an excellent bet to win the AL MVP Award.
Ramirez finished 4th in the 2022 AL MVP Race and +1600 at Caesars is a nice price for a player predicted by MLB.com to win the 2023 AL MVP Award.
The Guardians slugger should have won last year but Yankees slugger Aaron Judge hit 62 bombs and edged out Shohei Ohtani and Yordan Alvaraz for the 2022 MVP honors.
Ramirez led Cleveland with 29 bombs and a team-high 126 over 601 at bats and the addition of Bell gives Ramiriz more protection in the order. Ramirez won the 2022 Silver Slugger Award for the 4th time and Ramirez is a good bet at a nice price to win the 2023 AL MVP.
Can Guardians Win Over 81.5 Games?
Yes, the Cleveland Guardians should win more than 81.5 games.
Cleveland overachieved last season with rookies OF Steven Kwan, SP Triston McKenzie and OF Myles Straw and despite some projected regression for the rookies, the Guardians are loaded and should go Over DraftKings number.
The Guardians have the best starting pitching staff in the AL Central division and Clase is coming off his best season. There isn’t a reason to expect the pitching staff to have another terrific year and if they produce the Guardians easily win Over 81.5 games.
Can Cleveland Guardians win AL Central Division?
Yes, the Cleveland Guardians is a good wager to win the AL Central Division (+130 DraftKings).
The AL Central is a strong division and with .10 separating the White Sox and Guardians, Chicago is a good bet to win the division. Cleveland saw huge rookie performances from several key players, and they may regress.
Chicago has a strong starting rotation with a solid bullpen, and if the offense can plate some runs, the Guardians could win the division and is a good bet to do this in 2023.
Can Cleveland Guardians win American League Pennant?
No, at +1300 (DraftKings), the Guardians won’t likely win the American League Pennant.
Cleveland has enough pitching to compete but several Guardians players are coming off of career offensive years and they could regress at the plate in 2023. That makes the Guardians winning the AL Pennant a pipe dream at best and one we don’t want to spend any real cash on.
Can the Guardians win the World Series?
No, at +2500 (DraftKings), the Guardians won’t likely win the 2023 World Series.
Cleveland has the horses to win it all but too much of the Guardians success was tied into rookies who outperformed expectations. Cleveland has the pitching, they have Ramirez but they don’t currently have the roster to win the World Series.
