:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64927018/don_mattingly_tank_commander.0.jpg)
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): 31-76, minus-215
2019 projected record and run differential: 53-109, minus-267
Upcoming schedule: 8/6-8/7 vs. White Sox (double header on 8/6), 8/8-8/11 vs. Royals, 8/13-8/15 vs. Mariners, 8/16-8/18 vs. Rays
Detroit continues to lose at a prodigious pace, winning just one of six games since last week. And that doesn’t even include the first half of the double-header they already dropped today. The Tigers lost two more wins off their season-end projections as a result.
Orioles
At the All-Star break, it seemed like the Orioles might run away with the worst record in MLB. A .500 July has changed the picture a lot: https://t.co/SISXRfIdXs
— Camden Chat (@CamdenChat) August 6, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 38-74, minus-193
2019 projected record and run differential: 57-105, minus-253
Upcoming schedule: 8/6-8/7 vs. Yankees, 8/9-8/11 vs. Astros, 8/12-8/14 at Yankees (includes double-header on the 12th), 8/16-8/18 vs. Red Sox
The Orioles have had three .500-or-better weeks in a row and are in danger of dropping to third in the Tank Race. They picked up a couple wins on their projected total.
Royals
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 40-74, minus-113
2019 projected record and run differential: 61-101, minus-148
Upcoming schedule: 8/6-8/7 at Red Sox, 8/8-8/11 at Tigers, 8/13-8/14 vs. Cardinals, 8/16-8/18 vs. Mets
The Royals dropped all six contests last week along with two games off their end-of-year projection. They’re just a game out of second in this competition.
Marlins
MIA 4, NYM 5; Mets overpower the Fish in game two of doubleheader https://t.co/7ylTfv71yL
— Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) August 6, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 42-69, minus-112
2019 projected record and run differential: 62-100, minus-161
Upcoming schedule: 8/6-8/7 at Mets, 8/8-8/11 vs. Braves, 8/13-8/15 vs. Dodgers, 8/16-8/18 at Rockies
The Fish went 1-6 over the past seven days, including dropping both ends of a double-header to the Mets on Monday. Miami is back in fourth and once again projected to lose 100 games. At least some of the young guys are getting a chance to prove they belong.
Blue Jays
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 46-69, minus-63
2019 projected record and run differential: 67-95, minus-112
Upcoming schedule: 8/6-8/7 at Rays, 8/8-8/11 at Yankees, 8/12-8/14 vs. Rangers, 8/16-8/18 vs. Mariners
The Jays beat up on the Royals and Orioles for a 5-2 week and two additional wins on their final totals.