With little more than two weeks remaining in the 2007 season, the competition for the poorest record in the major leagues has become a more hotly-contested race than it is for playoff spots at top of the standings. A mere 5 1/2 games separate the bottom 10 clubs.
Finishing with the worst record has its own payoff as the team that brings up the rear is rewarded with the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft. Tampa Bay, which had the first pick in June, is in line to select first again a year from now as its 61-85 (.418) record is the worst, through games of Wednesday. But the Devil Rays have a narrow one-game lead on the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox.
We’ll take another look at the standings when the 2007 regular season ends on Sept. 30. Shortly thereafter, PG Crosschecker will unveil its first look at the top 100 prospects for the 2008 draft.
The 10 top contenders for the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft (as of Sept. 13): |
| |
| |
Club |
W-L |
PCT |
GB |
| 1. |
Tampa Bay Devil Rays |
61-85 |
.418 |
-- |
| 2. |
Baltimore Orioles |
61-83 |
.424 |
1 |
| 3. |
Chicago White Sox |
62-84 |
.425 |
1 |
| 4. |
Florida Marlins |
63-83 |
.432 |
2 |
| 5. |
Kansas City Royals |
63-82 |
.434 |
2.5 |
| 6. |
Houston Astros |
63-82 |
.434 |
2.5 |
| 7. |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
65-81 |
.445 |
4 |
| 8. |
Washington Nationals |
65-81 |
.445 |
4 |
| 9. |
San Francisco Giants |
66-80 |
.452 |
5 |
| 10. |
Cincinnati Reds |
66-79 |
.455 |
5.5 | |
| --ALLAN SIMPSON |
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