Minneapolis ? The team that wasn’t even supposed to play this season has the largest lead in the major leagues.

Six months ago, commissioner Bud Selig wanted to eliminate the Twins, along with the Montreal Expos. Now Minnesota has a 14-game lead in the AL Central, and division rivals are dismantling, trading away players to build for the future.

Benjamin Kruse of St. Paul, Minn., keeps score of the Minnesota-Toronto game and the Twins' magic number to become American League Central Division champs. Just four months ago, what very well could be baseball's best team was on the chopping block.

“We’re happy to be playing here for the Minnesota Twins and Twins fans,” closer Eddie Guardado said. “It’s a good feeling to be playing well. Hopefully we keep on rolling and never have to look back to those days.”

Two days after the Arizona Diamondbacks won the World Series, baseball owners voted Nov. 6 to eliminate two teams, later identified by their lawyers as the Twins and Expos.

An injunction obtained by the Twins’ landlord prevented the franchise from folding, and a settlement of the suit ensured that the Twins will survive for next season, as well.

They’re not just surviving this year, they’re thriving.

“We wanted to show these people we can play, show Bud Selig we can play, and show him that we’re competitors and that we’re on the rise,” Torii Hunter said.

Hunter is leading the way. He’s hitting .315, with 24 homers and 76 RBIs, and his dazzling defense has been invaluable in center field.

In right field, the combination of rookies Bobby Kielty and Dustan Mohr have provided power and average (.314 with 17 homers and 68 RBIs combined).

Jacque Jones is excelling as an everyday leadoff man and designated hitter David Ortiz is finally delivering, hitting .456 with six homers during his current 11-game hitting streak after being injured for most of the season.

The bullpen, thought to be a weakness at the beginning of the season, has been the opposite.

Guardado leads the AL with 32 saves, and J.C. Romero and LaTroy Hawkins have been outstanding in their setup roles.

The starting rotation sustained injuries early to Brad Radke and Joe Mays, but youngsters Kyle Lohse and Johan Santana have filled in.

Santana’s two-hit, 13-strikeout performance Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays was just the latest pleasant surprise.

“They’re riding the wave,” Toronto rookie third baseman Eric Hinske said. “They’re good enough to compete with anyone in the league, including the Yankees.”

The Yankees were able to sign slugger Jason Giambi in the offseason. The Twins didn’t know if they’d play in 2002 a significant hindrance to general manager Terry Ryan.

“Almost anything you could hope for has come to fruition,” Ryan said.

“We’ve had people within our organization come up and show that they can get the job done in areas where we needed help. It’s been extremely satisfying to see them grow as players and as a team.”

After an 18-6 July, the Twins lead in the division appears secure. The postseason is two months away, and, as long as baseball gets its labor issues sorted out in time to have one, the Twins will almost certainly be there.

“I think the key is that everybody here is playing with confidence,” Guardado said. “That’ll take you a long way.”