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Tank Race Tuesday: Marlins jump ahead of competition as calendar flips to May

With MLB’s only winning percentage under .300, the Marlins are pulling away from their competitors for the no. 1 pick in 2020.

Original photos by Getty Images (tank) and USA Today (Don Mattingly)

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

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

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