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The Marlins still yearn for more cheap, controllable, high-upside talent to elevate their farm system to an elite level and lay the foundation for sustainable success. Stinking against major league competition this season is a critical step in that process. We don’t need to call it “tanking,” but let’s just say—behind closed doors—Miami’s front office will tolerate plenty of 2019 losses if it means selecting near the top of the 2020 MLB Draft and maximizing their 2020-21 international bonus pool. Fish Stripes will be monitoring this “race” for you.
FanGraphs ran performance projections for every team prior to Opening Day, but also continues to provide rest-of-season projections as the real games get played. See below for details regarding the five worst teams, including the Marlins, Royals, Orioles, Nationals, and Athletics.
Marlins
Marlins pitchers allowed baserunners in every single inning. They won anyway. https://t.co/RnxBbCoSHm
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) May 7, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 10-24, minus-72
2019 projected record and run differential: 61-101, minus-188
Upcoming schedule: 5/7-5/9 at Cubs, 5/10-5/12 at Mets, 5/14-5/15 vs. Rays, 5/17-5/19 vs. Mets
Royals
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 12-24, minus-13
2019 projected record and run differential: 67-95, minus-92
Upcoming schedule: 5/7-5/8 at Astros, 5/10-5/12 vs. Phillies, 5/14-5/16 vs. Rangers, 5/17-5/19 vs. Angels
Orioles
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 13-22, minus-65
2019 projected record and run differential: 61-101, minus-224
Upcoming schedule: 5/7-5/8 vs. Red Sox, 5/10-5/12 vs. Angels, 5/13-5/15 at Yankees, 5/16-5/19 at Indians
Nationals
#Nationals’ mistakes (once again) prove costly in 5-3 loss to #Brewers in Miller Park...#Nats now 14-20 https://t.co/9ZNIArL4QF
— federalbaseball (@federalbaseball) May 7, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 14-20, minus-13
2019 projected record and run differential: 85-77, plus-59
Upcoming schedule: 5/7-5/8 at Brewers, 5/9-5/12 at Dodgers, 5/14-5/16 vs. Mets, 5/17-5/19 vs. Cubs
Athletics
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 15-21, minus-7
2019 projected record and run differential: 79-83, plus-2
Upcoming schedule: 5/7-5/9 vs. Reds, 5/10-5/12 vs. Indians, 5/13-5/14 at Mariners, 5/16-5/19 at Tigers