Real or not? These teams are unexpectedly serious playoff contenders

This week, we turn our attention to the surprises -- such as the new, improved and much more exciting American League Central. Not including the shortened 2020 season, the AL Central hasn't had more than one playoff team since 2017. Last season, the division was a collective 89 games under .500 in non-division games. The Cleveland Guardians continue to roll with clutch hitting and a great bullpen, the Kansas City Royals are playing well, the Minnesota Twins recovered from a slow start to reel off a 12-game winning streak and the Detroit Tigers are hanging around .500.