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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 (and creating new merch inspired by it).
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 six worst teams, including the Marlins, Orioles, Royals, Tigers, Blue Jays, and Mariners.
Orioles
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 18-41, minus-121
2019 projected record and run differential: 57-105, minus-253
Upcoming schedule: 6/4-6/6 at Rangers, 6/7-6-9 at Astros, 6/11-6/13 vs. Blue Jays, 6/14-6/16 vs. Red Sox
The Orioles dropped four of five and thereby maintained the no. 1 spot in the tank race. They currently hold a one-game lead over the Royals but picked up two games over everybody in the end-of-season projections.
Royals
Lets get it ! @BwittJr @Royals https://t.co/TO6UFYORLE
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) June 3, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 19-40, minus-54
2019 projected record and run differential: 64-98, minus-117
Upcoming schedule: 6/4-6/6 vs. Red Sox, 6/7-6/9 vs. White Sox, 6/11-6/13 vs. Tigers, 6/14-6/16 at Twins
The Royals equaled the O’s over the last week and moved up to second where they just grabbed Bobby Witt, Jr. in this year’s draft. They lost two games off their projected win total.
Blue Jays
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 21-38, minus-65
2019 projected record and run differential: 67-95, minus-102
Upcoming schedule: 6/4-6/6 vs. Yankees, 6/7-6/9 vs. Arizona, 6/11-6/13 at Orioles, 6/14-6/16 at Astros
The Jays lost all five of their games over the past week and jumped to the third spot, passing the Marlins and Tigers. Toronto’s projected win and run differential fell by three and 17, respectively.
Marlins
Marlins select J.J. Bleday. Here’s what you ought to know about him https://t.co/ygRwuY908r
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) June 3, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 21-36, minus-74
2019 projected record and run differential: 64-98, minus-164
Upcoming schedule: 6/4-6/6 at Brewers, 6/7-6/9 vs. Braves, 6/10-6/12 vs. Cardinals, 6/14-6/16 vs. Pirates
The Marlins continued to roll, winning four of six. They picked up only a game on their end-of-season projection, however, and are now slotted to tie for second with Kansas City.
Tigers
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 22-34, minus-98
2019 projected record and run differential: 65-97, minus-190
Upcoming schedule: 6/4-6/6 vs. Rays, 6/7-6/9 vs. Twins, 6/11-6/13 at Royals, 6/14-6/16 vs. Indians
The Tigers also had a winning record for the week, going 3-2. They have a tough week ahead though.
Mariners
Chart: 25-38 https://t.co/Gm6294ZcNr pic.twitter.com/8sqMABOjmp
— Lookout Landing (@LookoutLanding) June 4, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 25-38, minus-73
2019 projected record and run differential: 71-91, minus-112
Upcoming schedule: 6/4-6/6 vs. Houston, 6/7-6/9 at Angels, 6/11-6/13 at Twins, 6/14-6/16 at A’s
Congrats to the M’s on being the latest team to appear here. After a 13-2 start to the season, they’ve gone 12-36 since, including 1-6 over the past week. Having already foreshadowed a full-on firesale with the trade of Jay Bruce to the Phillies over the weekend, Seattle has an excellent chance to continue to move up.