The Chicago White Sox are teetering on the edge of an infamy-laden finish to their 2023 season as they stand on the brink of setting a new record for the most losses in a single Major League Baseball season. Currently tied with the 1962 New York Mets at 120 losses, the White Sox have found themselves in a precarious position without any of the justifications typically afforded to a team enduring such a disastrous campaign. Unlike expansion teams that struggle finding their footing, the White Sox are devoid of legitimate excuses for their underperformance.
This season saw a shift in the MLB schedule format that reduced division games, mandating that every team now plays every team from the other league annually. While some teams have navigated this change successfully, the White Sox have faltered dramatically. For instance, the Cleveland Guardians managed to split their initial series with a 5-5 record before sweeping Chicago in their most recent matchup. The Guardians ultimately finished 8-5 against the White Sox and sealed the AL Central title.
Division Dominance
In the Central Division, the White Sox have been frequently outclassed. The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals boast commanding 12-1 records against them. These performances have been critical in both teams' wild-card pursuits, with the Royals and Twins currently sitting in the No. 5 and 7 seeds, respectively. The Tigers particularly dominated, accruing a 9-1 record against the hapless White Sox.
Cross-League Collapse
The extended schedule, which includes annual interleague play, has also been unkind to Chicago. Every National League team, except the Chicago Cubs, engaged in a three-game series with the White Sox this year. The rivalry between the two Chicago clubs saw the Cubs sweeping a four-game series against the White Sox. On a positive note, Chicago did manage to win series against high-profile teams such as the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals. The Braves, however, faced a rain-impacted series and recorded a 1-2 performance against them.
Upcoming Matchups
As the season draws to its conclusion, the Tigers will host the White Sox in a three-game series at Comerica Park this weekend. Given Detroit's dominant 9-1 record against Chicago this season, the odds appear to be stacked heavily against the White Sox. Additionally, pivotal final series loom large for the Twins and Royals, with Minnesota set to face the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City squaring off against the Braves.
The White Sox’s abysmal performance this season can't simply be brushed aside—they lack any meaningful excuses. They will need to look inward to rebuild and reconsider their strategy moving forward, aiming to avoid a repeat of such a historically poor season.