MLB Power Rankings: Astros or Red Sox? Red Sox or Astros?
Numbers 30 to 26
#30 Baltimore Orioles, 43-106 .289 (49-100 Expected Record)
-250 run-differential, 14-37, .275 since All-Star break
This edition of the Orioles is one loss away from tying the 107 losses of the 1988 team that was the worst Orioles team to play in Baltimore. Longtime Orioles fans may remember that 1988 team because they lost their first 21 games of the season. This team is likely to be worse than that one. To avoid tying the most losses in franchise history, which includes their time as the St. Louis Browns, the Orioles will need to go 9-4 in their final 13 games.
#29 Miami Marlins, 58-91, .389 (50-99 Expected Record)
-220 run-differential, 16-34, .320 since All-Star break
As the Marlins limp to the finish line with the second-worst winning percentage since the All-Star break, fans are staying away in droves. The Marlins average home attendance is 9,966. If they don’t pick up the pace over the next two weeks, they’ll join the Montreal Expos (2001, 2002, 2004) as the only franchises to have an average home attendance under 10,000 since 2001.
#28 San Diego Padres, 60-90, .400 (58-91 Expected Record)
-140 run-differential, 19-31, .380 since All-Star break
Many thought it was a mistake for the Padres to sign Eric Hosmer to a long-term contract before this season, but it’s been even worse than anyone could have envisioned. By Fangraphs WAR, Hosmer has been below replacement-level (-0.3 fWAR). On the bright side, at least there’s only seven year and $124 million left on his contract.
#27 Kansas City Royals, 52-97, .349 (54-95 Expected Record)
-193 run-differential, 25-28, .472 since All-Star break
It’s been a rough year overall for the Royals, but there is some good news here. They’ve gone 25-28 since the All-Star break and 22-year-old shortstop Adalberto Mondesi is having a nice season, with a .284/.313/.465 batting line and 24 steals in 61 games.
#26 Chicago White Sox, 59-90, .396 (58-91 Expected Record)
-158 run-differential, 26-27, .491 since All-Star break
Like the Royals (#27), the Chicago White Sox have been much better since the All-Star break than they were pre-break. This is a good sign for a franchise whose minor league prospects were ranked 4th in baseball by Baseball America. Coming soon to the south side of Chicago: outfielders Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert and second baseman Nick Madrigal.