One of these days the Chicago White Sox are going to enter the season’s final week with a postseason berth on the line. Until that happens all eyes are on the 2019 MLB Draft order which is already starting to firm up with the Baltimore Orioles clinching next year’s number one pick. The second overall pick will be the Kansas City Royals, but what makes this tanking interesting is who will be slotted behind them.

For those that don’t care where the White Sox pick in the draft the race you can fixate on is third place in the AL Central. The Detroit Tigers haven’t run away from the White Sox, and loss column difference is two games. It’s possible that the White Sox play well enough this week against the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins they end up with the sixth pick in next year’s draft. Which from where they currently stand would be ending the season strong.

The “Tankers” fans who are hoping for the worst this week can rejoice because the White Sox are in the driver’s seat to pick after the Royals. Below is each team in contention for the third pick and the games they have remaining by opponent.

Chicago White Sox

Games: 6 (2 vs. Cleveland, 4 at Minnesota)

Season W-L record vs. opponents: 4-13 vs. Cleveland; 7-8 vs. Minnesota

Fangraphs projected record this week: 3-3

Projected final record: 64-98

San Diego Padres

Games: 5 (2 at San Francisco, 3 vs. Arizona)

Season W-L record vs. opponents: 7-10 vs. San Francisco; 5-11 vs. Arizona

Fangraphs projected record this week: 2-3

Projected final record: 65-97

Miami Marlins

Games: 6 (2 at Washington; 3 at New York Mets; 1 at Pittsburgh Pirates)

Season W-L record vs. opponents: 6-11 vs. Washington; 6-10 vs. New York Mets; 1-4 vs. Pittsburgh

Fangraphs projected record this week: 2-4

Projected final record: 64-98

Detroit Tigers

Games: 6 (3 at Minnesota; 3 at Milwaukee)

Season W-L record vs. opponents: 6-10 vs. Minnesota; first time facing Milwaukee)

Fangraphs projected record this week: 2-4

Projected final record: 65-97

Cincinnati Reds

Games: 5 (2 vs. Kansas City; 3 vs. Pittsburgh)

Season W-L record vs. opponents: 2-0 vs. Kansas City; 4-12 vs. Pittsburgh

Fangraphs projected record this week: 2-3

Projected final record: 68-94

Texas Rangers

Games: 6 (2 at Los Angeles Angels; 4 at Seattle)

Season W-L record vs. opponents: 6-11 vs. Los Angeles Angels; 8-7 vs. Seattle

Fangraphs projected record this week: 3-3

Projected final record: 69-93

Projected Draft Order

Pick Team Wins Losses 1 Baltimore Orioles 48 114 2 Kansas City Royals 56 106 3 Chicago White Sox^ 64 98 4 Miami Marlins 64 98 5 Detroit Tigers* 65 97 6 San Diego Padres 65 97 7 Cincinnati Reds 68 94 8 Texas Rangers 69 93

^White Sox control tiebreaker for having a worse record than Miami in 2017.

*Detroit controls tiebreaker for having the worst record in 2017.

If you enjoyed our coverage of the 2018 MLB Draft we will be continuing that for 2019. What kind of prospects are teams tanking for in the 2019 MLB Draft? After the 2018 season and Summer circuit this draft class is heavy on bats. Part quality, and part lack of top-end pitching available. A good sign is that there are a few shortstop options could be considered in the top 10 picks. Below is our initial 2019 MLB Draft watch list.