AL Central

A miserable year continues to get worse for the Chicago White Sox.

Chicago fell 2-0 to the New York Mets on Sunday, completing a sweep in the weekend series. More notably, it was the White Sox's 10th consecutive loss and 107th loss on the season.

This sets the franchise record for losses in a single season, beating the previous mark set by the 1970 team. That squad went 56-106.

White Sox Box Score

Lineup

1. LF Corey Julks: 0-3, 1 K; PH Andrew Benintendi: 0-1, 1 K
2. CF Luis Robert: 0-3, 1 K
   
3. 2B Lenyn Sosa: 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K
   
4. DH Andrew Vaughn: 0-2, 1 BB
   
5. 1B Gavin Sheets: 1-3
   
6. 3B Miguel Vargas: 1-3
   
7. RF David Fletcher: 0-3, 2 Ks
   
8. C Chuckie Robinson: 0-2; PH Nicky Lopez: 0-1, 1 K
   
9. SS Jacob Amaya, 0-2, 2 Ks; PH Zach DeLoach, 0-1
   

Pitchers

• SP Garrett Crochet: 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
• RP Gus Varland: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• RP Jared Shuster: 2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
• RP Prelander Berroa: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
• RP Justin Anderson: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

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Highlights

Lindor to the bleachers 😮‍💨@Lindor12BC | #LGM pic.twitter.com/vtQMyPIHpC

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 1, 2024

Marte adds on 💪 pic.twitter.com/bEFDNhEf0K

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 1, 2024

Trumpets. Books. 🎺📚@moderna_tx | #LGM pic.twitter.com/9z9P4AqDKp

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 1, 2024

Despite taking the loss, starting pitcher Garrett Crochet looked pretty sharp. The southpaw struck out eight batters—including an AL record-tying seven straight to start the game—while allowing just three hits and a run.

Garrett Crochet has struck out the first 6 batters he's faced today! 👀 pic.twitter.com/eUMp1yWY1f

— MLB (@MLB) September 1, 2024

Interim manager Grady Sizemore ultimately pulled the plug early to manage his inning count.

"He was pretty frustrated when I came out there, but I think he knows the situation and what we're trying to do," Sizemore said, per the Associated Press. "He threw well. He was on, he had good stuff. It's going to be tough when he's on a short leash like that and a pitch count, that he's never going to get to go as deep as he wants."

The bats were ultimately unable to get anything going, which wasted a pretty solid day from the pitching staff. The two hits mustered came from Gavin Sheets and Miguel Vargas, neither of which resulted in anything beyond a single.

The loss officially makes this disastrous season historic and the franchise will have major decisions to make following the season. More history could be coming before that happens.

The worst record of all-time is unattainable, as the 1899 Cleveland Spiders went a dismal 20-134. However, the worst record of the modern era is still in play, as the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics went 36-117.

The worst record in a 162-game season belongs to the 2003 Detroit Tigers, who went 43-119. The White Sox would have to go 12-12 down the stretch to tie that record.

Chicago will be back in action on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles. That game has a 3:05 p.m. ET. start.

A woman who was shot while attending a Chicago White Sox game at Guaranteed Rate Field on Aug. 25, 2023, is reportedly suing the team and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

The Associated Press reported Tuesday she is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, personal injuries and losses and alleges the team and agency did not enforce the stadium rule prohibiting firearms.

The Chicago Police Department released a statement at the time saying a 42-year-old woman was hospitalized but in "fair condition" after she "sustained one gun-shot wound to the leg." A 26-year-old woman refused medical attention after she "sustained a graze wound to the abdomen."

According to the statement, "CPD responded immediately and deployed additional resources while coordinating with White Sox security to maintain the safety of those who were in attendance or working at the game. At no time was it believed there was an active threat."

Police said in September 2023 it was not clear whether the gunfire was from inside or outside Guaranteed Rate Field, per the AP.

Chicago Police spokesperson Nathaniel Blackman said Tuesday the investigation is still ongoing.

Around the time of the incident, the White Sox also released a statement saying it was "unclear to investigators" whether the shots came from inside or outside the stadium:

https://t.co/V06IBRPoUQ pic.twitter.com/gwMOzmzTjE

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 26, 2023

However, the lawsuit alleges a gun was allowed into the stadium.

The game between the White Sox and Oakland Athletics was not delayed or postponed as a result of the incident, although a postgame concert was canceled.

The Minnesota Twins' game against the Atlanta Braves had an early delay due to lightning in the area, but fans at Target Field were treated to a breathtaking night sky.

The Twins posted a photo of the reddish sky with lightning bolts over the outfield:

Baseball skies pic.twitter.com/ZHl5hwY4Iu

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 27, 2024

Unfortunately for the Twins, it was the Braves who received a power charge from the lightning up above. Atlanta followed up a four-run first inning with five more runs in the second to take a 9-1 lead over Minnesota.

Braves first baseman Matt Olson launched a three-run home run in the first and it a two-run double in the second. Catcher Travis d'Arnaud hit a two-run blast in the second as well.

This series is particularly important for both Minnesota and Atlanta, as both teams are clinging to the final wild-card spots in the American League and National League, respectively.

It looks like the Twins will need a recharge if they hope to hold onto their spot.

The Chicago White Sox made some unfortunate history after losing to the Detroit Tigers by the final score of 9-4 on Sunday.

FINAL: Tigers 9, #WhiteSox 4

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 25, 2024

The White Sox suffered their 100th loss of the season, becoming the second-fastest team in MLB history to reach the century mark in the loss column (via ESPN). The 1916 Philadelphia A's (who went 29-100-1 in their first 130 games) are the only team to reach 100 losses in fewer games.

Chicago is in danger of setting the modern major league record for most losses in a season, which is held by the 1962 New York Mets with 120 defeats.

"We have been talking about it all year," White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi said, per ESPN. "It's beating a dead horse at this point. We are not where we want to be. [Interim manager Grady Sizemore] said it best: 'Unless you win the last game of the year, it doesn't matter.' So, I think everyone has moved on."

Chicago currently sits at 31-100, meaning that the team will need to finish with a record of 12-19 in order to avoid tying the Mets' loss total.

It's been a dismal season for the White Sox, as they're the only MLB team with fewer than 47 wins. They also own the worst run differential in the majors at minus-276. Chicago was eliminated from the postseason on Aug. 17, representing the earliest elimination in the wild card or divisional era.

The White Sox elimination from playoff contention falls on the earliest calendar date (Aug. 17) in either the Wild Card or Divisional Era.

(h/t @JessicaDBrand) pic.twitter.com/qVdlgD8KMS

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 18, 2024

Pedro Grifol started the season as Chicago's manager, but he was eventually fired on Aug. 8 once the team fell 61 games below .500. He was dismissed after the White Sox recorded a 21-game losing streak, tying the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the longest in American League history.

Chicago might be able to string together a few victories and avoid the total losses record, as the team is tied for the eighth-easiest remaining strength of schedule in the majors (via FanGraphs).

The White Sox will attempt to end their latest three-game losing streak during their next contest, another matchup with the Tigers on Monday at 8:10 p.m. ET.

A pair of Chicago White Sox stars could be on the move this offseason.

Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the White Sox still plan to trade starting pitcher Garrett Crochet, but are also looking to find a deal for center fielder Luis Robert Jr.

"The White Sox still intend to trade Crochet in the offseason, and hope to also move center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who hit two homers on Friday after being in a 5-for-46 skid," Nightengale wrote.

Crochet has had a breakout year in his first season as a starter, recording 176 strikeouts, a 3.61 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in 25 starts on his way to his first All-Star appearance. The tremendous season made him a hot commodity at this year's trade deadline.

Several teams pursued the 25-year-old, including the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers, who had "attractive offers" for Chicago, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The White Sox instead decided to hold on to Crochet for the rest of the year in hopes of getting an even bigger return this offseason.

The trade market wasn't quite as high for Robert, which led to Chicago keeping him put for now. Robert missed most of April and all of Mat with a hip flexor strain and hasn't had his best season, but Chicago could still get a decent return this offseason.

Robert has 14 homers, 31 RBI, 17 stolen bases and a .209 batting average in 68 games. He's coming off the best season of his career in 2023, when he slugged 38 homers and 80 RBI to go along with a .264 batting average and 20 stolen bases.

If teams are confident Robert will return to that form when he's fully healthy, he could be one of the more sought-after players on the trade market.

The Chicago White Sox were eliminated from postseason contention Saturday night with a 6-1 loss to the Houston Astros.

The loss dropped the White Sox to a 30-94 record. The club remains the only MLB team with fewer than 45 wins on the season.

The White Sox have been eliminated from playoff contention. pic.twitter.com/WtXc9Cfx2Y

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 18, 2024

Here's a look at the updated standings across the league now that the White Sox are officially out of the postseason picture.

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American League 

Leaders

1. New York Yankees, 73-51
2. Cleveland Guardians, 72-51
3. Houston Astros, 66-56

Wild Card

1. Baltimore Orioles, 72-51
2. Minnesota Twins, 70-53
3. Kansas City Royals, 68-55

Outside postseason bubble

1. Boston Red Sox, 64-57
2. Seattle Mariners, 63-61
3. Tampa Bay Rays, 61-61
4. Detroit Tigers, 60-64
5. Toronto Blue Jays, 57-66
6. Texas Rangers, 56-68
7. Los Angeles Angels, 53-69
8. Oakland Athletics, 53-70
9. Chicago White Sox, 30-94 (eliminated from postseason contention)

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National League

Leaders

1. Philadelphia Phillies, 73-50
2. Los Angeles Dodgers, 72-52
3. Milwaukee Brewers, 71-52

Wild Card

1. San Diego Padres, 69-54
2. Arizona Diamondbacks, 69-55
3. Atlanta Braves, 64-58

Outside postseason bubble

1. New York Mets, 64-59
2. San Francisco Giants, 62-63
3. St. Louis Cardinals, 61-62
4. Chicago Cubs, 61-63
5. Cincinnati Reds, 60-63
6. Pittsburgh Pirates, 58-64
7. Washington Nationals, 55-69
8. Colorado Rockies, 45-78
9. Miami Marlins, 45-78

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The White Sox are out of postseason contention earlier than any MLB team last season. In 2023, Oakland Athletics became the first team mathematically eliminated on Aug. 25, while the White Sox were technically in contention until Sept. 11.

With 38 games remaining in the season, the White Sox could win at most 68 games. That would not be enough to win the team a division lead or wild card spot, even if all other teams lose out.

The White Sox's disappointing 2024 season has featured everything from a 21-game losing streak that matched an AL record, to the firing of manager Pedro Grifol and a planned decrease in season ticket prices for 2025.

Now the franchise faces the prospect of another ignoble marker by setting a new record for losses in a single MLB season. The 1962 New York Mets currently hold the record with a 40-120 mark in the team's first season, so the White Sox could set a new standard by going 11-27 or worse over the final stretch of the season.

The White Sox last qualified for the postseason in 2021, when the team lost the AL Division Series to the Houston Astros.

Chicago has only trended away from the postseason since then. The team's 61-101 record in 2023 was the worst franchise mark since its 56-win 1970 campaign, and the 2024 club is on pace to set a new White Sox standard.

The White Sox's path forward is made even more difficult by the fact that the franchise can select no higher than No. 10 in the upcoming MLB draft. Team leadership indicated after firing Grifol that the franchise would look outside of the White Sox for a new manager to lead the team through the upcoming rebuild, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

A handful of teams reportedly looked into adding Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet at last month's trade deadline.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies both pursued the All-Star starter. According to Rosenthal, both the Phillies and Dodgers' offers to the White Sox were "considered attractive," and Los Angeles pursued Crochet all the way to the last hour.

Ultimately, Chicago opted to hold onto Crochet.

According to Rosenthal, the Dodgers made right-handed prospect River Ryan available for a trade for Crochet, but the White Sox saw concern over his health after he missed the first two months of the season with shoulder soreness. Ryan ultimately had to undergo Tommy John surgery after just four starts for Los Angeles.

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Despite Crochet's age and value, both the Dodgers and Phillies were hesitant to hand over top prospects for him. Rosenthal noted that Philadelphia didn't offer pitcher Andrew Painter, one of the organization's top prospects, and Los Angeles didn't offer Dalton Rushing.

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter lists Painter as the Phillies No. 2 prospect and Rushing as the Dodgers' No. 2 prospect.

In his first year as a starter, Crochet has recorded 167 strikeouts, a 3.65 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He's currently playing on a one-year, $800,000 deal, which is just $60,000 higher than the league minimum. While he's still under club control until 2027, there will likely be plenty of teams looking to bring him over in a trade this offseason.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the Phillies and Dodgers were among those teams.

Even though they didn't get Crochet at the deadline, Los Angeles and Philadelphia still bolstered their pitching staffs before the home stretch of the season. The Dodgers added right-handed starter Jack Flaherty while the Phillies brought in relievers Carlos Estévez and Tanner Banks.

The Minnesota Twins' 4-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday was a costly one for one fan.

After all, that fan may need to do a shot of olive oil now.

Minnesota's lone run came on a solo homer from Carlos Santana in the fourth inning. It was the first baseman's 16th home run of the year, which seemed rather insignificant at the moment.

But the Twins' official X account gave it more significance by reposting a fan's message from February that said, "I will do a shot of Olive Oil if Santana hits over 15 HRs bro like there is no way y'all are actually expecting this to happen."

Do it. https://t.co/GckSe5pKNB

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 14, 2024

Sweet 16 for Santana! pic.twitter.com/yKFUgJqkn2

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) August 14, 2024

Minnesota signed Santana this offseason in a deal that has proven more fruitful than this fan expected.

The 38-year-old is slashing .244/.330/.425 with 16 home runs and 50 RBI for a 67-53 Twins team that is four games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central. Minnesota may not win the division, but it is in playoff position in the AL wild-card race.

Perhaps this fan can take the shot of olive oil while watching postseason games in October.

Grady Sizemore will replace Pedro Grifol as manager of the Chicago White Sox for the remainder of the season.

The White Sox announced on Thursday that Sizemore has been named their interim manager. They also replaced three coaches from Grifol's staff.

pic.twitter.com/tipA9gwqSW

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 8, 2024

Grifol was fired earlier in the day in the midst of his second season as skipper for the White Sox. He led the team to a 28-89 record at the time of his dismissal, which included an American League record-tying 21-game losing streak from July 10 through Aug. 5.

The White Sox statement announcing Grifol's firing did note they would begin the search for a new manager immediately with the goal of hiring a new full-time skipper after the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, current Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, New York Mets bench coach John Gibbons and Detroit Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter are among the potential candidates the White Sox will consider.

3 potential White Sox candidates:

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker, whose contract expires this year

Mets bench coach John Gibbons, who was Chris Getz's final MLB manager

Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter, a strong communicator and @umichbaseball alum@MLBNetwork @670TheScore

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 8, 2024

Grifol was hired by the White Sox in November 2022 after spending 10 seasons as a coach for the Kansas City Royals. Chicago was coming off a solid three-season stretch from 2020 to '22 that included back-to-back playoff appearances in 2020 and 2021.

Things immediately cratered for the White Sox under Grifol. They finished 61-101 in his first season and won 89 out of a possible 279 games before he was fired. His .319 winning percentage is the third-worst in baseball history among managers with at least 279 games.

391 managers have managed at least 279 games.

Pedro Grifol's .319 winning percentage is the third-worst among them. Only John McCloskey (Louisville, 1895-1896; St. Louis, 1906-1908) and Doc Prothro (Philadelphia, 1939-1941) were worse.

— David Salituro (@DavidSalituro) August 8, 2024

Those struggles weren't entirely the fault of Grifol. The organization has been in a state of disarray for years under owner Jerry Reinsdorf.

Per The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli, the White Sox didn't interview any outside candidates last year after firing team president Kenny Williams and general manager Rick Hahn in August 2023. Chris Getz, who had been Hahn's assistant GM since 2021, was promoted to general manager and senior vice president.

Even though the results at the MLB level have been embarrassing this season, there are signs of hope for the future. They have a top-10 farm system with five top-100 prospects, led by left-handed pitcher Noah Schultz (No. 10 overall).

It wouldn't be a surprise if they climb even higher in the farm-system rankings going into 2025 because they still have Garrett Crochet available to use in a potential trade during the offseason.

It's going to be a multiyear process before the White Sox are fighting for a playoff spot in the AL, but there are reasons to be optimistic. The front office will have to be patient with whomever becomes the new full-time manager because the on-field results won't immediately improve with the roster as presently constructed.

Sizemore will finish out this season for the club. A three-time All-Star as a player, he joined Grifol's staff in January. He previously worked as an intern for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023.

It seemed inevitable that Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol would be fired during the team's dismal 2024 season, and it happened on Thursday.

Chicago announced Grifol's firing after a 28-89 start to this season, his second as manager of the club.

pic.twitter.com/g3xyqkkx44

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 8, 2024

Grady Sizemore was named the interim manager after Grifol's dismissal.

The move comes two days after the White Sox snapped a 21-game losing streak with a 5-1 win over the Oakland Athletics. The streak was tied with the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the longest in AL history.

Chicago's winning ways didn't last long, as it lost the series finale 3-2 to the A's on Wednesday. The White Sox led 2-0 going into the bottom of the seventh, but Touki Toussaint allowed three runs on two hits and one walk in 0.1 innings of work.

Grifol's first year as manager did not go as hoped, as the White Sox went 61-101 in 2023 and finished with a losing record for the first time in four seasons. Despite the difficult start to his first manager job, it was reasonable for Chicago to hope for a quick turnaround.

After all, Grifol had plenty of other experience to fall back on. He worked for the Seattle Mariners for 13 years as a coach, scout and manager before joining the Kansas City Royals for 10 seasons in a variety of roles.

Kansas City won the 2015 World Series when he was part of the staff, and he eventually elevated to bench coach before the White Sox hired him.

Yet the 2024 campaign couldn't have started worse for the American League Central team.

Chicago started 3-22 and then proceeded to lose 14 straight in May and June. Somehow, that wasn't the low point for a team that also traded away Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham, Michael Kopech, Paul DeJong, Tanner Banks and Eloy Jiménez.

The National League record for consecutive losses belongs to the 1900 Philadelphia Phillies with 23 in a row. Then there was the 1889 Louisville Colonels, which lost 26 straight games while playing in the American Association.

It was clear the losing streak and historical stakes were wearing on the White Sox.

"At the end of the day, we've lost 20 in a row. That's painful. That sucks," Grifol told reporters after a 20th straight defeat. "We've just got to find a way to put that behind us and go out there and be professionals and do what we have to do tomorrow."

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported on Aug. 4 during the streak that team owner Jerry Reinsdorf and general manager Chris Getz met with Grifol and decided not to fire him at the time even though he "could still be fired any day."

Nightengale also listed Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker as a leading candidate to become Chicago's next manager.

The position is now open following the decision to fire Grifol.