On Sunday, the Chicago White Sox extended their losing streak to a staggering 20 games, falling 13-7 to the Minnesota Twins. The White Sox, struggling all season, now hold the longest losing streak in the majors.
This extended drought marks the White Sox as only the seventh franchise in modern MLB history to endure such a miserable run. The loss to the Twins began early, with the team falling behind 2-0 in the first inning. By the end of the second inning, the Twins had amassed an 8-0 lead that the White Sox simply could not overcome. Notably, Royce Lewis's three-run home run for the Twins exemplified the struggles of a White Sox pitching staff that has seemed helpless recently.
Historic Losing Streaks
Among the rare company the White Sox have joined, the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies' record of 23 consecutive defeats looms large. With just three more losses, the White Sox could find themselves tied with one of the bleakest records in MLB history. Besides the Phillies, only the 1988 Baltimore Orioles and 1969 Montreal Expos have experienced such prolonged misery with their 20-game skids.
The White Sox's current inferno is only exacerbated by a 14-game losing streak they endured earlier in the season, running from May 22 until June 6. This earlier streak, which ties for the 38th longest in MLB history, has compounded their woes, threatening to mark the 2023 season as one of the worst in the franchise's rich history.
Running Out of Steam
Despite the team's ongoing struggles, Sunday’s game saw a rare flash of offensive performance from the White Sox. They managed to score more than five runs for the first time during their losing streak. However, even this offensive outburst was not enough to counteract the dominance asserted by the Twins early in the game. So far, the White Sox have been outscored by a brutal 131-48 margin over their 20-game skid, reflecting an average deficit of four runs per game.
As the season progresses, the White Sox's record now stands at a dismal 27-87. This puts them on pace for an unprecedented 124-loss season, a figure that would situate them among the worst teams in modern MLB history. The only team to surpass this ignominious milestone—the 1962 New York Mets, who lost 120 games—serves as a grim benchmark for the depth of the White Sox's current predicament. Since World War II, fewer teams have reached such lows, with the 2003 Detroit Tigers and the 2018 Baltimore Orioles being the rare teams to have lost more than 115 games in a season.
Outlook and Hopes for Redemption
Looking ahead, the team has a crucial game on Monday against the Oakland Athletics. Both the team and its loyal fans are hoping for a solitary victory to finally break this haunting losing streak and instill some semblance of hope for the season. It's clear that each game holds significant weight, not just in avoiding historical infamy, but in providing some relief to a dejected fanbase and organization.
In a season where little has gone right, this moment serves as a critical juncture for the White Sox. The days ahead will determine whether they can muster the resilience to turn the tide, or if they will continue on a path leading them further into baseball infamy.