The Minnesota Twins have flown under the MLB radar in 2022, as they have quietly compiled the third-best record in the American League while currently in first place in the AL Central. Owners of a plus-32 run differential, the Twins have been riding high lately, as they are winners of eight of their last 10 games, led by star outfielder Byron Buxton.

Still, partly because of the media market they play in, there's a tendency to overlook this club. Taking a closer look at the roster, though, what's not to like? The Twins' pitching staff features a mix of young talent, Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober, and veterans, like Sonny Gray.

The lineup is a powerful one, featuring Buxton, one of the best sluggers in the game, free agent signee Carlos Correa and outfielder Max Kepler, one of the more underrated bats in the MLB.

With a star in Buxton and a well-rounded roster around him, the Twins are clearly the team to beat in the AL Central.

3 Reasons Twins Are Team To Beat In Al Central

3. The Twins' pitching staff is sneaky good

While the Twins were dealt a blow in the form of a COVID-IL designation for ace starter Joe Ryan, it shouldn't distract from just how good this rotation is.

Ryan, 26, owns a 2.28 ERA in his first full season in the big leagues. Ober, who just returned from a right groin strain, has pitched to a 2.55 ERA.

In his return to the AL, Sonny Gray hasn't missed a beat, recording a 2.60 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings. In the bullpen, the Twins wasted no time in finding their replacement for closer Taylor Rogers, as flamethrower Jhoan Duran has dazzled with four saves and an incredible 13.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

Together, the staff has combined to post the sixth-lowest ERA in the MLB in 2022. It's a rotation- and bullpen- that looks good enough to make the Twins not only the most trustworthy AL Central team, but also a serious contender in the MLB.

2. The AL Central is again one of the MLB's worst divisions

While many pundits expected better results out of other AL Central teams, such as the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers. the division has disappointed once again. Three teams, the Royals, Tigers and Cleveland Guardians, currently sit under .500, with a fourth, the Chicago White Sox, barely treading water at 22-21.

Of those four remaining teams in the AL Central, the White Sox have the best shot at competing with the Twins, having had their number in recent seasons.

However, Chicago has been decimated by injuries, as each of Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Eloy Jimenez, and Luis Robert, four of the White Sox' best players, have all spent time on the injured list at some point or another in 2022.

What have the Twins done against this lesser competition? Exactly what they should be doing, as they have posted a 14-4 record against the AL Central this season, one of the best inter-divisional records of any team.

While their easier schedule could come back to bite them down the road, for now, it should ensure that the Twins are the last team standing in the AL Central at the conclusion of the 2022 season.

1. Byron Buxton is a star- and he might not even be the best outfielder on the team

Many MLB fans know the greatness of Byron Buxton, who has clubbed a team-leading 11 homers while scoring 24 runs. Buxton is lightning fast, possesses light-tower power and is as good a defensive outfielder as any in the MLB.

As long as Buxton stays healthy- a wild-card in his career- the Twins can legitimately say that they have one of the game's best players on the field every night.

However, is Buxton even the best outfielder on his own team? As crazy as it is to say, it hasn't been Buxton, but Max Kepler.

The 29-year-old Kepler is quietly putting together one of his better seasons as he leads the club with 1.7 Wins Above Replacement. His .783 OPS doesn't even tell the whole story, as a look under the hood points to one of the MLB's best hitters.

While Statcast's expected statistics don't predict future outcomes, they certainly can describe how well a player is hitting the ball and putting himself in a position to be successful. Kepler ranks among the game's best hitters in several Statcast metrics, making him a formidable slugger- and one who shouldn't be overlooked.

With Buxton, Kepler and Correa, the Twins have a fearsome trio in the middle of their lineup. It will make them tough to beat in the AL Central.