In a season where numerous teams have soared, the Chicago White Sox are on the verge of an infamy that few in Major League Baseball history have ever approached. The White Sox are currently poised to tie a record for the most losses in a season, previously set by the 1962 New York Mets with 120 losses. Unlike the Mets, who were an expansion team with justifiable struggles, the White Sox have no such mitigating factors to lean on.
The altered MLB schedule format, which was implemented last year, reduced the number of division games and ensured that every team plays against teams from the other league annually. Despite these changes, the White Sox’s performance has been lackluster across the board. While the Cleveland Guardians managed a 5-5 split in earlier encounters, a recent series saw them sweep the White Sox and finish the season 8-5 against them, clinching the AL Central title in the process.
Particularly damning is the White Sox's record against division rivals. The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals have dominated the White Sox with a 12-1 record each. In fact, the Tigers have an overwhelming 9-1 record against them this season. Kansas City and Minnesota's performances against Chicago have been critical in bolstering their wild-card race positions, with the Royals and Twins sitting in the No. 5 and 7 seeds respectively.
The National League has had its share of success against the White Sox as well. Every team, except the Chicago Cubs, played a three-game series against them. The Cubs faced the White Sox in a four-game series and made a clean sweep. However, not all was grim; the White Sox did manage to win series against the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals. The Braves, affected by rain in one of their games, went 1-2 against the White Sox.
Looking ahead, the Tigers are set to meet the White Sox in a three-game series at Comerica Park this weekend. Given the Tigers' domination so far, with a 9-1 record, the White Sox face an uphill battle. Meanwhile, the Twins will face the Baltimore Orioles, and the Royals are slated to play the Braves in their final regular-season series.
As their torrid season draws to a close, the Chicago White Sox are left with no meaningful excuses for their poor performance. The looming record of losses underscores the need for a drastic shift in strategy and potentially, a pivot towards rebuilding. There is a palpable sense of urgency as the organization looks to reimagine its approach, hoping to sidestep another season of underwhelming results. The White Sox's failures have not only been an internal struggle but also a crucial factor in propelling their rivals' postseason aspirations. As they look to the future, a fundamental overhaul could be as essential as it is inevitable.