The Chicago White Sox succumbed to yet another defeat on Sunday, falling 13-7 to the Minnesota Twins. This loss extended their losing streak to an unprecedented 20 games, marking the longest current drought in Major League Baseball.
In the pantheon of baseball history, only seven franchises have endured such an ignominious run, making the White Sox’s predicament especially notable. The game against the Twins started on a sour note, with the White Sox trailing 2-0 by the first inning. Things went from bad to worse as Minnesota surged to an 8-0 lead by the end of the second inning, driven in part by Royce Lewis's emphatic three-run home run.
Despite managing to score more than five runs for the first time during their losing streak, the White Sox's efforts fell short. Over the course of their 20-game skid, the team has been outscored 131-48, averaging a four-run deficit per game. This level of performance indicates not just bad luck but systemic issues that need addressing.
The White Sox's record now stands at a meager 27-87, raising the specter of an exceptionally poor season. To put this in perspective, only three more losses would tie them with the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies' record of 23 consecutive defeats. Historically, the 1988 Baltimore Orioles and the 1969 Montreal Expos also experienced 20-game losing streaks, underlining the severity of Chicago’s current plight.
The current losing streak is especially disheartening given that the White Sox had already suffered a 14-game losing streak earlier in the season, from May 22 until June 6, which ties for the 38th longest streak in MLB history. This suggests that the team’s problems are not just recent but have been festering for some time.
Remarkably, the team is now on pace to lose 124 games this season. In the modern era of Major League Baseball, only the 1962 New York Mets have suffered more losses in a single season, with 120 defeats. Since World War II, the 2003 Detroit Tigers and the 2018 Baltimore Orioles are the only other teams to have lost more than 115 games in a season.
The relentless losing has understandably demoralized both the team and its fan base. The next opportunity for redemption comes on Monday, when the White Sox face off against the Oakland Athletics. A victory would not only end the losing streak but could also provide a much-needed morale boost for a team that has struggled mightily this season.
As the White Sox square off against the Athletics, the hope is that the team can finally right the ship and bring this historic losing streak to an end. For now, the fans, the players, and the coaching staff are left grappling with the harsh realities of a season that has not gone according to plan.