SB Nation Reacts: Royals fans think the team will win the division, but other MLB fans disagree

NOBODY BELIEVES IN US!

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Kansas City Royals fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. This edition of SB Nation Reacts is sponsored by FanDuel.

A 30-game improvement, a post-season appearance, and off-season spending has made Royals fans a lot more optimistic than they were a year ago. Last week, we asked SB Nation readers where the Royals would finish in the division. After tying for second place a year ago, the Royals are predicted to win the division this year, according to a plurality of fans.

That’s not a majority, but it’s pretty close, reflecting a pretty optimistic mood from fans. Just 1 percent of fans think the Royals will finish among the bottom two teams - imagine thinking that just a year ago!

However other MLB fans don’t share that same kind of boundless optimism. SB Nation asked all MLB readers who would win the AL Central, and the Detroit Tigers took 38 percent of the vote, followed by the Cleveland Guardians at 34 percent. The Royals took 21 percent of the vote. No love for Jonathan India?

The 1 percent that picked the White Sox have to be trolling, right? Right?

We’ll see how things play out, but I think everyone agrees that the top four teams are pretty close in talent level. Almost every projection system has the Royals, Tigers, Guardians, and Twins each winning between 80 and 86 games. Getting off to a great start will be important, and it could come down to which team is healthiest, and which front office makes the savviest moves mid-season. Stay tuned!