- The Washington Times - Monday, May 2, 2022

If the Cincinnati Reds want the No. 1 pick in next year’s MLB draft, they’ve got a big head start.

The rebuilding Reds are by far the worst team in the majors with a 3-19 record. But their abysmal April isn’t just bad compared to other teams this season. It’s the worst in franchise history and tied for the second-worst in MLB since 1900. 

The only team with a worse start than the Reds this season was the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, who infamously started the year 0-18 and were 1-21 through 22 games. The other teams to start 3-19 in the modern era were the 2003 Detroit Tigers, 1992 Kansas City Royals and 1936 St. Louis Browns. The last National League team to start 3-19 was the 1899 Cleveland Spiders. 

“This is a tough, tough spot and I really have a lot of faith in our staff and our team to turn this around,” Reds manager David Bell said, per ESPN. “That’s a huge challenge. But I know it’s going to happen. That’s the only focus I have. I haven’t thought of anything else.’’

For most teams, a 3-19 start would easily be the worst in their franchise history. But the 3-19 start was only one game worse than the Reds’ 4-18 season-beginning mark in 2018. 

Cincinnati’s most recent loss was a 10-1 defeat at the hands of the Rockies on Sunday — the Reds’ sixth straight. The Reds already have two six-game losing streaks this season, and they’ve lost 17 of their last 18. 

The poor start isn’t a surprise. Despite making the playoffs in 2020 and having an above-.500 record last season, the Reds chose to go into tank-mode, trading away starting pitcher Sonny Gray, outfielder Jesse Winker, third baseman Eugenio Suarez and reliever Amir Garrett this offseason. 

• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.

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