The Chicago White Sox plunged to a new low on Sunday, falling to the Minnesota Twins 13-7 and stretching their losing streak to a staggering 20 games. This slump is the longest in Major League Baseball (MLB) this season and places the White Sox among a select, albeit unwanted, group in modern baseball history. Only six other franchises have endured such a lengthy stretch of defeats.
From the very beginning, the White Sox found themselves trailing, as they quickly fell behind 2-0 in the first inning. The situation further unraveled in the second inning, with the Twins establishing an imposing 8-0 lead, effectively putting the game out of reach. One of the standout moments for Minnesota was Royce Lewis's three-run homer, which further dampened the White Sox's chances of a comeback.
However, a slight silver lining for Chicago was their ability to score more than five runs for the first time during this disheartening streak. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to overcome the insurmountable deficit. Over these 20 games, the White Sox have been consistently outmatched, being outscored by a cumulative 131-48, translating to an average deficit of four runs per game.
Historical Context
The White Sox’s current season record stands at an abysmal 27-87. This performance has dragged them perilously close to MLB’s historical low points. With just three more losses, the White Sox would tie the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies’ infamous record of 23 consecutive defeats. Comparisons with other historically poor seasons are unavoidable. The 1988 Baltimore Orioles and 1969 Montreal Expos also experienced 20-game losing streaks, a dubious milestone that serves as little consolation to the current squad.
Earlier this season, the White Sox endured another significant losing stretch, a 14-game streak that extended from May 22 until June 6. This previous skid is tied for the 38th longest in MLB history, highlighting the consistent struggles the team has faced throughout this dismal season.
A Grim Forecast
With the way things are unfolding, the White Sox are on track for a historically poor season with projections suggesting a 124-loss season. This would catapult them into a very short list of teams infamously remembered for their lackluster performances. Notably, the 1962 New York Mets hold the modern era record with 120 losses. Since World War II, only the 2003 Detroit Tigers and the 2018 Baltimore Orioles have experienced more than 115 losses in a season, and the White Sox seem poised to join this infamous club unless there is a drastic turnaround.
Hope on the Horizon?
Next up, the White Sox will face the Oakland Athletics on Monday. Both the team and its fans are desperate to see the losing streak snapped, harking back to earlier in the season when brief glimpses of competence were periodically displayed. Both long time fans and casual observers will be watching closely to see if the White Sox can muster a win amidst the swirl of adversity they’ve faced this year.