On Sunday, the Chicago White Sox endured another painful defeat, falling 13-7 to the Minnesota Twins. This loss stretched their disheartening losing streak to 20 games, the longest in Major League Baseball (MLB) at present.
From the first inning, it was clear that the White Sox were in for a tough game. They quickly found themselves trailing 2-0. By the end of the second inning, things had gone from bad to worse, with the Twins extending their lead to a daunting 8-0. Royce Lewis was a significant contributor to the Twins' performance, hitting a three-run home run that further widened the gap.
Despite the loss, the White Sox did manage a small victory in their offensive performance. For the first time during their losing streak, they scored more than five runs in a game. However, this was scant consolation as they have been overwhelmingly outscored, 131-48, during this 20-game slide, averaging a deficit of four runs per game.
This streak of futility has placed them alongside some infamous company. Historically, they are now the seventh franchise in modern MLB to suffer through a 20-game losing streak. If they continue on this path, they risk tying the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies' record of 23 consecutive defeats, a record no team aspires to match.
The White Sox’s fortunes this season have been dismal overall. Following this latest loss, their season record stands at a woeful 27-87. Projection systems now suggest they are on pace for a 124-loss season. In the modern era, only the 1962 New York Mets, who lost 120 games, have had a worse season. More recently, only a few teams, like the 2003 Detroit Tigers and the 2018 Baltimore Orioles, have come close to losing as many games.
Interestingly, this 20-game skid isn't the first long losing streak the White Sox have faced this season. Earlier, from May 22 to June 6, they endured a 14-game losing streak, which ties for the 38th longest in MLB history. Such recurrent losing spells highlight the depth of challenges the team has faced this year.
The White Sox’s focus will now shift to their upcoming match against the Oakland Athletics on Monday. Both the team and its fans will be hoping for a turn of fortune that can finally put an end to this harrowing streak. As the season winds down, every game remains crucial, not just for the immediate relief of a win, but for salvaging some pride for a team that has struggled immensely.