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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 entering Tuesday.
Tigers
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 39-89, minus-248
2019 projected record and run differential: 52-110, minus-284
Upcoming schedule: 8/27-8/29 vs. Indians, 8/30-9/2 vs. Twins, 9/3-9/5 at Royals, 9/6-9/8 at Athletics
Detroit went 2-4 over the last week, but their year-end projections remained the same except for losing a run off their differential.
Orioles
If the Orioles follow the Astros rebuilding path, it will be 2022 before they have a good MLB team again. A lot can happen in three years. Here’s one guess about what the team might look like then: https://t.co/TrzYCQXBNs
— Camden Chat (@CamdenChat) August 26, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 43-88, minus-250
2019 projected record and run differential: 55-107, minus-285
Upcoming schedule: 8/27-8/28 at Nationals, 8/30-9/1 at Royals, 9/2-9/4 at Rays, 9/5-9/8 vs. Rangers
The Orioles had a winning week at 4-2, adding two wins to their expected total and putting a little less pressure on the Tigers for the no. 1 spot.
Royals
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 46-86, minus-127
2019 projected record and run differential: 59-103, minus-151
Upcoming schedule: 8/26-8/29 vs. A’s, 8/30-9/1 vs. Orioles, 9/3-9/5 vs. Tigers, 9/6-9/8 at Marlins
The Royals went 1-6 and lost two games off their year-end win total.
Marlins
Derek Dietrich remains undefeated in his career vs. the Marlins https://t.co/r73GJwBjv6
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) August 27, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 47-83, minus-156
2019 projected record and run differential: 59-103, minus-188
Upcoming schedule: 8/27-8/29 vs. Reds, 8/30-9/1 at Nationals, 9/3-9/5 at Pirates, 9/6-9/8 vs. Royals
The Fish went 2-5. Monday night’s loss cost them a win off their projected figure, which leaves them in a tie with the Royals for baseball’s third-worst record.
Blue Jays
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 53-80, minus-71
2019 projected record and run differential: 66-96, minus-84
Upcoming schedule: 8/27-8/28 vs. Braves, 8/30-9/1 at Astros, 9/2-9/3 at Braves, 9/5-9/8 vs. Rays
The Jays dropped five of six, resulting in a loss of two wins from their year-end numbers.