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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): 42-100, minus-283
2019 projected record and run differential: 50-112, minus-304
Upcoming schedule: 9/10-9/12 vs. Yankees, 9/13-9/16 vs Orioles, 9/17-9/19 at Indians, 9/20-9/22 vs. White Sox
Detroit went 2-5 to become baseball’s first 100-loss team of the season. They also dropped to just 50 projected wins as a result, two fewer than a week ago.
Orioles
The Orioles couldn’t get anyone out in a 10-4 loss to Texas that wrapped up a sweep for the Rangers. https://t.co/dWcneqD1kL
— Camden Chat (@CamdenChat) September 8, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 46-97, minus-259
2019 projected record and run differential: 54-108, minus-279
Upcoming schedule: 9/10-9/12 vs. Dodgers, 9/13-9/16 at Tigers, 9/17-9/19 vs. Blue Jays, 9/20-9/22 vs. Mariners
The Orioles went 1-5 and lost a game off their projections. Currently four games out of the Tank Race lead and five games ahead of the Marlins, Baltimore has a firm grip on second place.
Marlins
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 51-92, minus-178
2019 projected record and run differential: 58-104, minus-201
Upcoming schedule: 9/10-9/12 vs. Brewers, 9/13-9/15 at Giants, 9/16-9/18 at Diamondbacks, 9/20-9/22 vs. Nationals
The Fish went 3-4, and their year-end numbers remained the same. They even gained seven runs on their projected differential.
Royals
The Royals could have a shot at drafting Guy Fieri's buddy Spencer Torkelson next June. https://t.co/MlAXhg1cmm
— Royals Review (@royalsreview) September 10, 2019
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 53-91, minus-151
2019 projected record and run differential: 61-101, minus-164
Upcoming schedule: 9/10-9/12 at White Sox, 9/13-9/15 vs. Astros, 9/16-9/18 at A’s, 9/19-9/22 at Twins
The Royals went 4-2 to take their win projection over 60.
Blue Jays
2019 record and run differential (entering Tuesday): 55-89, minus-99
2019 projected record and run differential: 65-97, minus-107
Upcoming schedule: 9/10-9/12 vs. Red Sox, 9/13-9/15 vs. Yankees, 9/17-9/19 at Orioles, 9/20-9/22 at Yankees
The Jays went 0-5 as part of an ongoing eight-game losing streak. Things don’t get easier with the Sawx and Yanks coming to town this week.