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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 five worst teams, including the Marlins, Orioles, Royals, Tigers, and Blue Jays.
Tigers
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 35-80, minus-230
2019 projected record and run differential: 53-109, minus-279
Upcoming schedule: 8/13-8/15 vs. Mariners, 8/16-8/18 vs. Rays, 8/19-8/22 at Astros, 8/23-8/25 at Twins
Detroit went 3-4 since last week. Their year-end projection remained the same.
Orioles
Gleyber Torres blasted two more homers, and the Yankees continued their domination of the Orioles Monday night. https://t.co/pA076cryft
— Camden Chat (@CamdenChat) August 13, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 39-80, minus-230
2019 projected record and run differential: 56-106, minus-289
Upcoming schedule: 8/13-8/14 at Yankees, 8/16-8/18 vs. Red Sox, 8/19-8/21 vs. Royals, 8/22-8/25 vs. Rays
The Orioles broke a string of three-straight winning weeks by dropping six of their seven games. It cost them a win off their projections.
Royals
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 43-76, minus-99
2019 projected record and run differential: 61-101, minus-128
Upcoming schedule: 8/13-8/14 vs. Cardinals, 8/16-8/18 vs. Mets, 8/19-8/21 at Orioles, 8/23-8/25 at Indians
The Royals went 3-2 and had one game suspended in a 4-4 tie with Boston. Although the Royals picked up 20 runs on their year-end differential, it didn’t show up in their final win projection.
Marlins
It’s a very exciting time to be a Marlins fan! One whole week until you have to see Ronald Acuña Jr. again https://t.co/7HpweoaA8y
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) August 11, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 44-73, minus-119
2019 projected record and run differential: 62-100, minus-166
Upcoming schedule: 8/13-8/15 vs. Dodgers, 8/16-8/18 at Rockies, 8/20-8/22 at Braves, 8/23-8/25 vs. Phillies
The Fish won two of their six contests over the past week, but nothing changed for their win projection.
Mariners
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 48-71, minus-117
2019 projected record and run differential: 66-96, minus-150
Upcoming schedule: 8/13-8/14 at Tigers, 8/16-8/18 at Blue Jays, 8/19-8/21 at Rays, 8/23-8/25 vs. Blue Jays
The Mariners rejoined the Tank Race Top Five after a 1-4 week vaulted them past the Blue Jays. The dueling teams have two upcoming series in the next fortnight, so there could be a lot of back-and-forth.