As the MLB season approaches its conclusion, the Chicago White Sox are teetering on the edge of infamy. With 120 losses this season, they are now tied with the notorious 1962 New York Mets for one of the worst records in baseball history. Unlike the Mets, who were an expansion team at the time and had an excuse for their poor performance, the White Sox have none.
One of the significant shifts that added to the complexity of this season is the change in the MLB schedule format. Last year, the league reduced the number of division games, meaning teams now face every team from the other league annually. This adjustment has provided a more balanced schedule but also revealed glaring disparities in the White Sox's ability to compete across the board.
Divisional Struggles
The Cleveland Guardians, who are vying for a solid postseason run, took full advantage of their games against the White Sox. After managing a 5-5 split initially, the Guardians swept the White Sox in their most recent series. This performance helped them finish 8-5 against Chicago and clinch the AL Central title, providing a sharp contrast to the White Sox's woes.
The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals have similarly found the White Sox to be a generous opponent. The Royals hold a significant 12-1 record against Chicago, and the Twins mirror this success with an identical record. This dominance has proven crucial in their wild-card pursuits, with the Royals and Twins positioned as the No. 5 and No. 7 seeds, respectively.
Tigers Eye Postseason
Not to be outdone, the Tigers have boasted a 9-1 record against their divisional rival. Their head-to-head victories against other teams like the Mariners and Red Sox have propelled them forward in the wild-card race. This weekend, the Tigers will play the White Sox in a three-game series at Comerica Park, a venue where they have already demonstrated their superiority throughout the season.
Interleague Play Reflects the Same Story
In an era where interleague play is more common than ever, every National League team, except the Chicago Cubs, faced the White Sox in a three-game series this year. The Cubs, however, had a four-game series against Chicago and swept them completely. Yet, even amidst this bleak narrative, there were brief moments where the White Sox showed some resilience, managing to secure series wins against the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals. The Braves, for instance, went 1-2 against the White Sox in a season series affected by rain delays.
Season Draws to a Painful Close
As the season races to an end, the White Sox's schedule doesn't get any easier. After their series with the Tigers, the Twins will face the Baltimore Orioles in their final regular-season series, while the Royals will compete against the Braves. Meanwhile, the White Sox's season is drawing to a painful close, with no meaningful excuses to hide behind for their poor performance.
Ultimately, the White Sox are set to embark on an offseason filled with reflection and reconstruction. The need to rebuild and reimagine their strategy has never been more critical. With a season so profoundly marked by losses, the path forward demands more than mere adjustments — it requires a fundamental rethinking of the team's approach to the game.