As the Chicago White Sox teeter on the brink of an infamous milestone, their season's woes have been deeply felt by fans and pundits alike. With a record that ties them with the 1962 New York Mets at 120 losses, the White Sox are staring down the barrel of a potentially historic low point. Unlike the '62 Mets, who were justified somewhat by the challenges of being an expansion team, the White Sox have no such excuse to fall back on.
The recent changes in the MLB schedule format, which reduced the number of division games, don't offer much of an explanation either. Now, every team plays against every team from the other league annually, resulting in a broader range of matchups. Despite this, the White Sox have stumbled spectacularly, falling short against not just division rivals but a wide array of opponents.
Guardians Take Control
The Cleveland Guardians have been a thorn in the White Sox's side, managing a 5-5 split before sweeping them in their most recent series. This dominance helped the Guardians finish 8-5 against Chicago and clinch the AL Central title. In contrast, the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals boast 12-1 records against the beleaguered White Sox, demonstrating their superiority throughout the season.
Interestingly, the Royals and Twins, despite their own wild-card aspirations, have repeatedly used Chicago as a stepping stone in their pursuits. The Twins hold a No. 7 seed in the wild-card race, while the Royals sit at No. 5, thanks in part to their performance against the White Sox.
National League and Crosstown Rivals
Within the National League, every team except the Chicago Cubs played a three-game series against the White Sox this year. The crosstown rivalry, however, saw the Cubs sweeping a four-game series against their Chicago counterparts. The Cubs' resounding victories were just another chapter in the White Sox's challenging season.
Glimmers of Success
Not all has been bleak, as the White Sox have managed to clinch series victories against the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals. The Braves were particularly notable as they fell 1-2 in a rain-affected season series against Chicago. But such victories have been rare highlights in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Final Stretch
As the season draws to a close, the White Sox are set to face the Tigers in a three-game series at Comerica Park this weekend. The Tigers, having already dominated the White Sox with a 9-1 record this season, appear poised to continue their ascendancy. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins face the Baltimore Orioles, and the Royals will take on the Braves in their final regular-season series.
It's clear that the White Sox have no meaningful excuses for their poor performance. The problems are multifaceted and require a deep reevaluation. As the organization looks to rebuild and reimagine its strategy, fans can only hope for a return to form in the seasons to come. Amidst the myriad of losses, the White Sox are left to ponder their next steps in the journey back to competitiveness.