text: has there ever been a situation in any sport where it was to a team's benefit to lose rather then win a game? often near the end of a season, a game is meaningless to a certain team. but does any playoff format in a sport (pro or amateur) allow the possiblility that it would be to a team's advantage to lose its last game rather than win it? if so, please explain the situation. has this ever actually happened? if so, did that team lose on purpose, forfeit, or still try to win the game? if that were the case the royals should be in first place by now...