The Chicago White Sox are on the brink of setting a dubious milestone. With just one week left in the regular season and an imperfect record almost guaranteed, the White Sox are poised to break the modern record for losses in a season. Currently tied with the 1962 New York Mets at 120 losses, the White Sox have already etched their names in the record books during what has been an embarrassingly bleak season.
Unlike the '62 Mets, who had the excuse of being an expansion team, the White Sox have no such justification. The disappointment is compounded by last year's change in the MLB schedule format, which reduced division games and saw every team play every team from the other league annually. This format change has led to the White Sox becoming easy prey not just for their division rivals but for the entire league.
Division Dismay
The American League Central teams have hungrily capitalized on the White Sox’s woes. The Cleveland Guardians managed a 5-5 split before sweeping them in their most recent series to finish 8-5 against Chicago, clinching the AL Central title. The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals have been even more ruthless, boasting 12-1 records against the White Sox. These wins have significantly boosted both teams’ standings, with the Royals and Twins currently sitting in the No. 5 and 7 seeds in the wild-card race, respectively.
For these teams, the dismal White Sox have been more than just opponents; they've been lifelines. The Tigers, who have a robust 9-1 record against the White Sox, are currently ahead of the Mariners and Red Sox in the wild-card race due to head-to-head series victories. Similarly, Kansas City and Minnesota's performances against Chicago have critically supported their wild-card pursuits.
Interleague Incompetence
The White Sox's misery hasn’t been confined to the American League. Every National League team, except the Chicago Cubs, played a three-game series against the White Sox this year. The Cubs, their geographic rivals, slugged through a four-game sweep. While the White Sox did manage to win series against four NL teams – the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals – it was too little to salvage their overall performance.
Ironically, the Braves, who are currently vying for the third wild-card spot, find themselves looking back at an unnecessary stumble against the White Sox. In a rain-affected season series, Atlanta went 1-2 against Chicago, with both losses being one-run games. Those narrow defeats could prove costly as the Braves fight to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Upcoming Series to Watch
The season is not over yet, and further twists could emerge. The Tigers will play the White Sox in a three-game series at Comerica Park this weekend. Detroit, having already dominated the White Sox 9-1 this season, will look to clinch their wild-card berth. Meanwhile, the Twins face the Baltimore Orioles, and the Royals will play the Braves in their final regular-season series, all of which could significantly impact the postseason picture.
For the White Sox, this tragic season is mercifully close to its end. The team, its management, and its fans will undoubtedly be eager to turn the page. With no meaningful excuses to shield them, they must confront a stark reality: in a league designed to challenge every team equally, they have emerged as the most beaten, battered, and beleaguered.
In a season where triumphs have been measured more in avoiding humiliation than in victories, the Chicago White Sox will soon look to rebuild and reimagine their strategy. Until then, they remain a sobering example of how quickly fortunes can falter in the relentless grind of Major League Baseball.