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At the moment, there appears to be no end in sight for the Chicago White Sox's descent into unprecedented putridity. They continue to plunge into new depths, and on Thursday night, the White Sox find themselves ever closer to rock bottom following a 14-2 defeat at the hands of the Boston Red Sox. Fittingly, in allowing 14 runs in their latest defeat, the White Sox suffered their 14th straight loss, sending them skidding towards their worst losing streak in franchise history, per ESPN.
One would have to go back to 100 years ago to find the previous longest losing streak in White Sox history (spanning just a single season). At the very least, the White Sox can tell themselves that they're making history and that the 2024 iteration of the team will be immortalized, even if it's not exactly for the reasons they would want to be remembered.
The White Sox continue to have the bleakest outlook in the entire MLB, which is a tragic turn of events especially after taking into account the fact that this team won 93 games not too long ago. Their lineup is filled with replacement-level or worse hitters, while their pitching is no better. In their historic loss to the Red Sox, starting pitcher Jake Woodford was tagged for seven runs on 10 hits in four innings of work.
To make matters worse for the White Sox, as if they could sink even deeper, they allowed 24 hits on Thursday to the Red Sox, which was a season-worst. Their losing margin of 12 runs was also the worst of the campaign. They are now 15-48 on the year, and things may very well get worse from here especially when they figure to be major sellers in the lead-up to the trade deadline.
White Sox reek of sadness
During the White Sox's two-game series against their crosstown rival Chicago Cubs, there was a glimmer of hope that shone upon the South Siders in the Windy City. On Tuesday, the White Sox took a 5-0 lead against the Cubs in the fourth inning. Sure, they allowed the Cubs to even the ballgame by the end of the sixth inning, but they seized back the advantage in the top of the seventh by virtue of an emphatic home run from the returning Luis Robert Jr.
The good times, however, did not last. The Cubs scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth thanks to a double from Ian Happ, and the White Sox lost their 12th consecutive game in a heartbreak.
But in a sign of strength, the White Sox came out on Wednesday with the same will to win that they showed on Tuesday. They faltered late in the game, but lightning doesn't strike the same spot twice, doesn't it? Alas, the White Sox's misfortune this season is walking the fine line between hilarity and tragedy.
The White Sox took a 5-1 lead during the fourth inning, allowed the Cubs to take a one-run lead by the seventh inning, but tied up the game in the eighth thanks to a Paul Dejong solo shot. And then in perhaps the most predictable walk-off home run of the season, Mike Tauchman homered off of failed starter Michael Kopech to send fans in Wrigley Field home happy.
Just as the White Sox were on the cusp of taking a streak-busting victory, the knife in their gut gets twisted in the most painful manner imaginable. Those two losses to the Cubs only served to worsen the morale of what is sure to be a very dejected clubhouse, and the sadness figures to continue to pour out of the White Sox franchise amid the roughest stretch of their 124-season existence.
Looking forward to the trade deadline
At the very least, the White Sox have a few pieces who could be of interest to contending teams as the trade deadline approaches. This is a golden opportunity for them to replenish a farm system that ranks near the bottom-third of the MLB.
Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet, two of the few bright spots of the team, could be on the move; they may remain under team control for a few more years, but that only serves to improve the potential return the White Sox could get in a trade.
Meanwhile, Erick Fedde has turned his career around, and he could be of interest to teams searching for a middle of the rotation starter who won't cost a pretty penny. Tommy Pham is a near-guarantee to be traded away to a team in need of additional outfield pop. Paul Dejong could help solidify the middle infield of a team with playoff aspirations.
