The Orioles are in the midst of one of the worst stretches in baseball history. In other words, everything is going according to plan.

The state of play: The O's have lost 18 games in a row (17 by more than one run), while being outscored by 102 runs. They're the first team in AL history with two losing streaks of 13+ games in a season.

• At 38-85, they're on pace to lose 108+ games in three straight full seasons. The last team to do that? The expansion 1962–65 Mets. Yes, those Mets.
• Baltimore won 47 games in 2018, 54 games in 2019 and is on pace to win 50 in 2021, all while trotting out lineups that often resemble Triple-A squads.

The blueprint: This is all part of the Orioles' aggressive rebuild under general manager Mike Elias, who's hoping to replicate what Houston achieved last decade, where he was assistant GM.

• The Astros stripped down the organization and rebuilt it from the ground up, investing in player development, acquiring stars with high draft picks, and spending very little money on big-league contracts.
• The MLB team suffered, winning an average of 54 games 2011-13. This angered fans, but enough bought into the "just wait ..." narrative to sustain it. When the front office felt the team was ready to contend, they started spending money on players.
• In 2017, six years after the rebuild began, Houston won its first World Series, making all those losses worth it in the eyes of many. And the Astros have remained a (scandal-ridden) powerhouse ever since.

The carbon copy: The O's are currently at the "MLB team is a disaster but the future looks bright" stage. They're a laughingstock, but hey — they now have MLB's No. 2 farm system, per Baseball America, featuring the No. 1 hitter (Adley Rutschman) and No. 1 pitcher (Grayson Rodriguez).

"None of what is happening with and to the Orioles right now did not also happen first to and later for the Astros; this was and remains the entire idea. At some point, the Orioles might begin trying to improve instead of trying to make sure they don't. Sometime after that, they might actually start trying to win. At some point after that they might even manage to do it."

The big picture: "Tanking" is synonymous with the NBA. But the concept of "not trying to win games" is just as prevalent in MLB — and it's a far more painful experience for baseball fans to endure.

• When an NBA team tanks, they get a top draft pick and that player is on the court months later, giving fans a glimpse of a brighter tomorrow. Stars can transform a basketball team overnight, so the future feels within reach.
• When an MLB team tanks, they get a top draft pick and that player then spends years toiling in the minors, mostly out of sight. The losing seasons are painful and long. 162 games is a lot, especially when you're out of contention in early May and have five months to go.

What to watch: Earlier this month, MLB owners proposed adding a $100 million salary minimum for teams, which would force non-contending clubs to spend and help prevent tanking.

• For context, 40 individual MLB players will make more money this season than the entire Orioles 26-man roster, which is being paid a grand total of $19.5 million.

The bottom line ... It's a classic sports bar question: Would you rather your favorite team regularly contend for championships but never win one? Or be terrible for a long time then finally win a title?

• Orioles fans have no choice but to embrace the latter mindset — which isn't so bad in the grand scheme of things. After all, the primary objective of pro sports is to win championships. Period.
• Yes, but: There's a spectrum. Fans can only take so much. Losing records and no playoffs for years with a title at the end of the rainbow? Deal. 18-game losing streaks and historic ineptitude? Now you're pushing it.

P.S. ... Remember three weeks ago when the Orioles hit five home runs at Yankee Stadium and a cat ran onto the field? The O's haven't won since, and the Yankees are 16-3. The curse of Don Cattingly...

The Nets opened with an NBA-best 54.5 wins at Caesars Sportsbook, while the rebuilding Thunder bring up the rear at 22.5, Axios' Jeff Tracy writes.

Notes:

• Dubs back? With Klay Thompson returning and Stephen Curry coming off an MVP-caliber season, the Warriors look poised to contend again after going just 54-83 over the past two seasons.
• End of an era? The Spurs haven't won fewer than 30 games since 1997, and that includes three shortened seasons. Now, they're one of just six teams Caesars set at under 30 wins.
• Start of another? The Knicks have just six seasons above .500 this century. If they hit the over (41.5), they'll make it two in a row.

Go deeper: NBA schedule highlights (ESPN)

The Coyotes will be evicted from Gila River Arena, their home in Glendale, effective at the end of the 2021-22 season, Jeff writes.

Why it matters: The clock is now ticking for the Coyotes, who have just a year to figure out the next arena — or city — they'll call home.

The backdrop: The city of Glendale did the math and found it could make more money on an expanded slate of concerts and other large events than it could hosting an NHL team.

• After months of negotiations on a lease extension, Glendale finally pulled the plug on the Coyotes, who owe roughly $1.5 million in outstanding payments to the city.
• "Not being tethered to the Coyotes really allows us to take the asset of the arena and do something really special with it," said Glendale city manager Kevin Phelps.

The big picture: Phelps isn't alone in his thinking. Live music was booming pre-pandemic, and venues are increasingly being built with concerts, rather than sports, in mind, WSJ reports (subscription).

What's next: The Coyotes moved from Winnipeg to Phoenix in 1996. 25 years later, relocation could be on the table again. Potential landing spots include Houston, Quebec City and Hamilton, Ontario.

TORONTO — Miguel Cabrera on Sunday became the 28th member of the 500 HR club. Just four members have a higher career batting average than Cabrera's .311: Ted Williams (.344), Babe Ruth (.342), Jimmie Foxx (.325) and Manny Ramírez (.312).

• What's next: Miggy is 45 hits away from becoming the seventh player with 500 HR and 3,000 hits. He'd join Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Rafael Palmeiro, Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols.

NEW YORK — Andrew Velazquez grew up in the Bronx just a few miles away from Yankee Stadium. Now, he's starting at shortstop for the red-hot Bombers while sleeping in his childhood bedroom. Can you imagine?

• 🎥 Watch: First career HR with his family in the stands (Twitter)

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Washington's Eli Jones tossed a no-hitter and drove in the only run in a 1-0 win over Florida at the LLWS on Saturday. The first person to congratulate him? The opposing coach.

• What they're saying: ESPN caught up with Eli's dad, Brian, after the game. "Why can't I stop crying?" he said. "I never cry."

SAN DIEGO — Aaron and Austin Nola faced off in the majors for the first time Saturday, and Aaron's two fastest pitches of the season were against his big brother — a three-pitch seeya. The sibling rivalry hits different!

• 🎥 Watch: Proud mom and dad (Twitter)

• 🏁 Photo finish: Ryan Blaney edged William Byron by 0.077 seconds to win at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday. It was one of the closest finishes in NASCAR history.
• 🇯🇲 Another Jamaican sweep: Sha'Carri Richardson's return did not go as planned, as she finished dead last in the 100 meters at the Prefontaine Classic. Jamaica finished 1-2-3 just like they did in Tokyo.
• 🥊 Pacquiao loses: Yordenis Ugás successfully defended his welterweight world title against 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao, who may have entered the ring for the last time.
• 🏒 Rough Rangers weekend: Rod Gilbert, the Hall of Famer known as Mr. Ranger, died at 80, and Henrik Lundqvist — The King, himself — is retiring at 39. He ranks sixth all-time in wins (459).

Plus...

• ⛳️ Monday golf: The final round of The Northern Trust in Jersey City, New Jersey, was pushed back to today due to Hurricane Henri. Should help ease your "Case of the Mondays."
• 🏀 22-month absence: Elena Delle Donne returned to the court for the first time since her 2019 MVP season, scoring 16 points in a Mystics loss on Sunday. Her coach said having her back was "like Christmas."
• ⛳️ Speedgolf legend: Lauren Cupp set a world record in "Speedgolf," shooting one-under par in ... 50 minutes (!!!). WSJ's Jason Gay has more (subscription).
• 🐎 Must-see video: A two-year-old filly named Bold and Bossy got loose before a race in Kentucky and ran onto a highway.

I'm in love. Put it in the MoMA!

Go deeper: How Piet Mondrian's abstractions became a new way to see the world (Art News)

The NFL season is fast approaching. While we eagerly await its arrival, we're counting down the league's top 20 players.

• Player: Stefon Diggs, WR (Bills)
• Age: 27
• College: Maryland
• Contract: 5 years, $72M (FA in 2024)
• 2020 stats: 16 games; 1,535 receiving yards, 8 TD
• 2021 fantasy: No. 14 ADP (average draft position)
• Week 1: Steelers at Bills

The big picture: After spending five years in Minnesota as an overqualified second option behind Adam Thielen, Diggs' move to Buffalo couldn't have gone much better.

• He and Josh Allen developed an instant connection and became superstars, leading the Bills to a franchise record-tying 13 wins.
• By the numbers: Diggs led the NFL in yards (1,535) and receptions (127) in 2020, with the latter ranking as the sixth-most ever in a season.

What they're saying: "He's so competitive that his demeanor and ability had the opposite effect that some thought," an AFC exec told ESPN (subscription). "He lifted the entire offense up with his standard of play."

ICYMI: 20. Dalvin Cook; 19. Trent Williams; 18. Bobby Wagner; 17. Tyreek Hill; 16. Jaire Alexander

85 years ago today, Indians rookie Bob Feller struck out 15 batters in his first career start — a complete game, 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Browns (now the Orioles).

Why it matters: He was just 17! While Feller was firing fastballs past his childhood heroes, his friends back home in Iowa were getting ready for their senior year of high school.

By the numbers: The Hall of Famer was an eight-time All-Star and almost certainly would have won a Cy Young or two if the award had existed before his final season in 1956.

• Feller's 266 wins are the 37th-most ever and he's one of just a handful of pitchers to toss three no-hitters.
• He led MLB in innings pitched five times, strikeouts seven times, and won the 1940 Triple Crown (27 wins, 2.61 ERA, 261 K).
• Of note: Like so many greats of his era, Feller lost three prime years (age 23–25) serving in WWII.

Go deeper: How fast was Feller's fastball? (ESPN)

The 49ers' top two QBs, Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, both played FCS football.

• Question: Where'd they go to college?
• Hint: Both schools are in the Midwest.

Answer at the bottom.

1. ⚽️ Gorgeous bicycle
2. ⚾️ José! No way!
3. ⚽️ Back-heel volley
4. ⚾️ Dude's got wheels
5. 🦶 Spinning wheel kick
6. ⚾️ Insane double play
7. ⚾️ Game-saver
8. 🏈 Diving INT
9. ⚽️ Filthy goal
10. ⛳️Spieth's eagle

Watch all 10.