A quarter into the 2025 season, the Detroit Tigers have gone from feel-good story to legit contender. They currently hold the best record in baseball and have jumped out to a five game lead in the American League Central, putting the Twins and the rest of the league on notice.

This isn’t smoke and mirrors. The Tigers rank fifth in team OPS at .752, sixth in team ERA, sixth in starting pitcher ERA, and seventh in bullpen ERA. Their defense is strong as well, ranking 11th in outs above average. Pair those numbers with the second best run differential in the majors, and it’s clear their success is no accident. They’re balanced, well rounded, and led by one of the most respected managers in the game in A.J. Hinch, who brings years of experience from winning teams in Houston.

Detroit’s lineup features a mix of emerging stars and players finding new life. Riley Greene is pacing the offense with a 144 OPS+, blossoming into the player many thought he could be. Javier Báez, after three disappointing seasons in Detroit, is having a stunning resurgence. He’s posted a 123 OPS+ and is playing with the energy and swagger he brought to the Cubs during his peak years. Spencer Torkelson is finally realizing the potential that made him a top pick, leading the team with 12 home runs, 39 RBI, and a 147 OPS+. Role players like Zach McKinstry and second-year catcher Dillon Dingler have delivered valuable production in key spots, adding depth to a lineup that’s been tough to contain.

The pitching staff has been just as impressive. Tarik Skubal continues to look like one of the best pitchers in the American League, building off his breakout campaign last season. Casey Mize, another former number one overall pick who many pegged as a disappointment, is thriving, posting a 158 ERA+ and leading the league with six wins. The bullpen is locking things down late, with Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest emerging as a dominant late inning tandem.

It’s easy to see why Detroit has been so successful. Every part of the roster is contributing, and while some performances may cool off, this doesn’t look like a team that’s going away. Yes, it’s fair to wonder whether Báez can keep this up all year or if Mize and Torkelson will sustain their breakouts. But the Tigers aren’t riding one or two lucky stretches. They’re playing complete, winning baseball, and they have the look of a team that will be in the mix for years to come.

That makes them the Twins’ top competition for the division crown. So far this season, the Twins are 1-2 against Detroit with 10 head-to-head games remaining, including six in Detroit. Those games are going to matter. If Minnesota can win even a slight edge in the season series, they’ll stay within striking distance. But if the Tigers take control of those matchups, the gap could widen quickly.

Looking at the remaining schedule, Detroit has the advantage. The Tigers have the seventh easiest remaining slate in baseball, while the Twins face the ninth hardest. Still, trying to determine in May whether the Twins can catch the Tigers is a bit of a fool’s errand. Injuries, trades, hot streaks, cold spells — all of that will shape the standings in ways no strength of schedule metric can forecast. What matters right now is that the Tigers are for real. But so are the Twins.

Minnesota has been playing excellent baseball in their own right, going 18-6 over their past 24 games. Detroit is 18-7 in their last 25. If both teams keep up this pace, we could be heading for a compelling division race that runs all the way into late September. But make no mistake, the Twins need to take Detroit seriously. The Tigers are young, talented, and surging. And now it’s up to Minnesota to keep pace.

Do you think the Twins can hang with the Tigers the rest of the way, or even overtake them for the division? Let us know in the comments.