Pirates picked the worst possible year to be good in NL Central

The Pittsburgh Pirates, at 14-10, are tied for third in the NL Central as of April 23. Their +25 run differential also ranks second in the division and fourth in the entire National League.

The problem? The entire NL Central also has 10 losses or fewer, with every team in the division at least three games over .500.

It's hard to explain just how good this quintet has been in the early going. In MLB.com's latest power rankings, four of the five teams in the division are inside the top 10, and every single one ranks in the top half of the league.

It's just a cruel twist of fate that the Pirates are finally good for the first time in a decade only to be playing in the most competitive division in the league.

Pirates can become class of the NL Central even if they don't change a thing

With 122 runs scored and just 97 allowed, the Pirates are one of just five teams with a run differential of 25 or greater. The offense ranks top 10 in runs scored, batting average, home runs, and wRC+; meanwhile, every single starting pitcher has an ERA below 3.30.

This is perhaps the most well-rounded ball club outside of Los Angeles and Atlanta this year, and their dominance on the mound will spread further the farther Paul Skenes gets from his disastrous Opening Day start. Even the bullpen, led by Dennis Santana, Gregory Soto and Isaac Mattson, has some weapons that can carry the unit.

Unlike some other members of the division, the Pirates aren't winning via smoke and mirrors. They can hit, pitch, and field. That is a combination that can survive the course of a 162-game season.

If there is a team built to challenge them, it's the Chicago Cubs. The North Siders have the NL Central's best run differential (+42) despite playing with 10 pitchers on the injured list. As they get healthier, they'll be able to challenge the Pirates' well-rounded attack.

The Milwaukee Brewers also can't be discounted, having won four of the past five division titles. Their +24 run differential is third-best in the Central, and they've made a habit of turning the jets on in the second half in recent years.

It's the Reds (10-0 in one-run games) and Cardinals (in the first year of a rebuild) who project to fall off, at least if their run differentials (-2 and -11, respectively) are to be believed. Cincinnati is struggling to score, while St. Louis' razor-thin pitching depth is holding them back.

If this does devolve into a three-team race for the division title, the Pirates should have no problem sticking with the Brewers and Cubs, despite their lack of recent success. With more reinforcements coming for what may be the sport's best pitching staff, their new-look offense just needs to keep producing at its usual rate in order to put the Buccos in position for October.

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