The Chicago White Sox have lost 17 games in a row and might very well end up as the worst team in MLB history.
As of this writing, the Chisox are 27-84. They are 40 games back of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. They are also 26 games back of the fourth place Detroit Tigers.
Prior to this season, the longest losing streak in franchise history was 100 years ago in 1924 when the team lost 13 consecutive games en route to a last place finish in the AL.
That record has been broken in 2024 not once, but twice. Prior to their current losing streak, the Chisox lost 14 straight games between May 22nd and June 6th. Their longest winning streak in 2024 was four games between May 8-11 when they beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field before winning three consecutive games against the Guardians at home.
Their last victory took place exactly three weeks ago today when they beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1 in the first game of a doubleheader. The Twins beat them in the nightcap. From there, the Chisox have been swept in succession by the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and the Royals yet again.
After going 3-21 in July, the South Siders have an off day tomorrow before starting a six-game road trip against the Twins and the Oakland A's.
The worst team in modern MLB history by won-loss record is the 1962 New York Mets who went 40-120 in their inaugural season. By winning percentage, that record belongs to the 1916 Philadelphia A's who had a winning percentage of .235 following a 36-117 campaign (back when the MLB season was 154 games). The Chisox (who currently have a winning percentage of .243) could do worse on both counts.
There are a couple of silver linings. One is that the Chisox will get the top pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The other is that they might not be that bad for very long.
Both the Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks are three years removed from losing 110 games. The O's are currently in first place in the AL East while the D'Backs won the NL pennant last year and have a legitimate shot at the post-season again this year.
Let's also remember that 6 of their 17 consecutive losses came at the hands of the Royals. A year ago, the Royals lost 106 games. This year so far, they currently have the third AL Wild Card spot and have already won more games this season than they did all of last year.
The Chicago White Sox could be a vastly improved team in the next couple of years. But they still have to finish this godawful season first.
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