AL Central

The 21-game nightmare for the Chicago White Sox is finally over.

Jonathan Cannon threw six innings of one-run ball and Andrew Benintendi hit his 10th home run of the season to lead the White Sox to a 5-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday, snapping a 21-game losing streak.

The streak was tied for the longest in American League history. The NL record is 23 straight losses, set by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies.

"It was just really good to get this behind us. I thought we played a clean game today," White Sox manager Pedro Grifol told reporters. "Any time you win it's great. Any time you win when you lose 21 in a row it's even better. I'm proud of these guys."

White Sox Box Score

Lineup

1. 3B Miguel Vargas: 0-2, 1 R, 2 BB
2. 2B Brooks Baldwin: 2-4, 1 R
3. CF Luis Robert Jr.: 1-4, 1 R
4. 1B Andrew Vaughn: 1-4, 1 RBI
5. LF Andrew Benintendi: 2-4, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI
6. DH Lenyn Sosa: 1-4, 1 RBI
7. RF Gavin Sheets: 0-3
8. RF Dominic Fletcher: 0-1
9. C Korey Lee: 0-4
10. SS Nicky Lopez: 0-3

Pitchers

• SP Jonathan Cannon: 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
• RP Dominic Leone: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• RP Chad Kuhl: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
• RP John Brebbia: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

The teams played the first three innings scoreless before Benintendi hit a two-run shot off Ross Stripling in the top of the fourth. Zack Gelof closed the gap to one run in the bottom half of the inning, but that would be the only run allowed by the White Sox staff.

Sox strike first! pic.twitter.com/O1ZrISmxCs

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 7, 2024

Lenyn Sosa comes through! pic.twitter.com/NXd7riLQKg

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 7, 2024

Cannon gave up six hits and walked two while striking out five batters in his six innings of work before ceding to the bullpen. Dominic Leone, Chad Kuhl and John Brebbia combined for three hitless innings to close things out.

"I think it's just a sigh of relief," Cannon said. "We're all major league players, we got a lot of confidence in ourselves to go out and do our jobs every night. Just wasn't working out for us. Proud we could put it together tonight. It was a team effort all around."

Chicago is 28-88 overall in one of the single worst seasons in MLB history. The White Sox are the only MLB team yet to hit the 40-win mark, let alone the 30-win perch they are yet to reach.

The 1962 Mets hold the record for the most losses in the modern era of MLB with 120. The White Sox are currently on pace to eclipse that mark and have the second-lowest winning percentage since 1900, behind only the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics.

The franchise record for losses is 106, which seems almost certain to fall with ease. That said, for at least one night, this White Sox team found a way to put one in the win column.

A season of misery for the Chicago White Sox continued on Monday night as they were defeated 5-1 by the Oakland Athletics for their 21st consecutive loss.

The White Sox's losing streak is tied with the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the longest in American League history. They are two losses away from tying the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies' MLB-record streak of 23 straight losses.

With their 21st straight loss - 5-1 to Oakland - the White Sox have matched the 1988 Orioles - who started 0-21 that year - for the longest losing streak in AL history. It's also tied for the 2nd-longest losing streak by any team since 1900. (@ESPNStatsInfo)

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 6, 2024

White Sox Box Score

• Miguel Vargas, 3B: 1-for-4
• Lenyn Sosa, 2B: 0-for-4, K
• Luis Robert Jr., CF: 0-for-4
• Andrew Vaughn, 1B: 1-for-4, 2B, R
• Nick Senzel, DH: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K
• Andrew Benintendi, LF: 1-for-3, RBI
• Brooks Baldwin, SS: 0-for-3
• Corey Julks, RF: 1-for-2, K
• Korey Lee, C (PH): 0-for-1, K
• Chuckie Robinson, C: 0-for-2, 2K
• Gavin Sheets, RF (PH): 0-for-1
• Ky Bush, SP: 4 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 3 K
• Justin Anderson, RP: 1 IP, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K 
• Chad Kuhl, RP: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K
• Jared Shuster, RP: 2 IP. 0 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

Athletics Box Score

• Daz Cameron, CF: 0-for-2, R, BB, K
• Lawrence Butler, RF (PH): 1-for-2, HR, R, RBI
• Miguel Andujar, LF: 0-for-4, K
• Brent Rooker, DH: 0-for-2, 2 BB
• Shea Langeliers, C: 0-for-2, 2 BB
• Tyler Nevin, 1B: 0-for-2, RBI, BB
• JJ Bleday, CF: 1-for-3, 2B, R, BB, K
• Zack Gelof, 2B: 0-for-2, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 K 
• Darrel Hernaiz, 3B: 1-for-3
• Max Schuemann, SS: 1-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 K
• JP Sears, SP: 7 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 5 K
• Austin Adams, RP: 1 IP, H, 2 K
• Tyler Ferguson, RP: 1 IP, 2 K

Full box score via MLB.com.

Both teams only managed four hits in the game, but the A's took advantage of nine walks by Chicago pitchers. White Sox starter Ky Bush issued five free passes in four innings.

After the White Sox tied the score at one in the top of the fourth, Oakland took the lead in the bottom half of the frame thanks to Max Schuemann's two-run single.

The White Sox's losing streak dates back to July 10 in the second game of a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins. They were playing at a 47-win pace at that point with a 27-67 record.

A 47-win pace would have been bad, but it wouldn't have been the worst mark in the modern era dating back to 1901. The 2018 Baltimore Orioles and 2019 Detroit Tigers both won 47 games, to cite two recent examples.

In the midst of this 21-game losing streak, the White Sox (27-88) are winning at a 25.7 percent clip this season. If they can stay at that level, it would tie the 1919 Philadelphia Athletics (36-104) for the fifth-worst winning percentage in a season since 1901.

Since MLB expanded to a 162-game regular season in 1961, the record for most losses in a season belongs to the 1962 New York Mets (42-120).

The White Sox will look to end their losing streak on Tuesday when they play the A's in Game 2 of their three-game series in Oakland. Chicago will send Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.11 ERA in 70 IP) to the mound against Ross Stripling (2-10, 5.65 ERA in 67.0 IP).

The Chicago White Sox are now just one loss away from tying the longest losing streak in American League history.

The team dropped its 20th straight game 13-7 to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. One more will put Chicago in the same company as the 1988 Baltimore Orioles.

The all-time modern MLB record is in striking distance as well. The Philadelphia Phillies suffered 23 defeats in a row in 1961.

Sunday's contest was at least over early.

An error by second baseman Brooks Baldwin extended the first inning and allowed the Twins to put two runs on the board. Minnesota plated six more in the second to take a commanding 8-0 lead.

Royce Lewis takes one the opposite way to put the @Twins up 7... in the 2nd inning 😲 pic.twitter.com/k7YCH6QPko

— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2024

The White Sox allowed their fans to turn their attention elsewhere to make the most of their Sunday afternoon.

If anybody on the South Side decided to catch the action elsewhere around MLB, then they might've seen Eloy Jiménez go 3-for-5 in the Baltimore Orioles' 9-5 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Jiménez, whose exit at the trade deadline was celebrated by some, is enjoying his change of scenery.

Eloy Jiménez is now 4-for-6 to start his @Orioles career after this RBI 1B 😤 pic.twitter.com/heOTRKlc8V

— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2024

The good news for Chicago is it heads to the West Coast for a three-game set with the 46-66 Oakland Athletics. Surely manager Pedro Grifol's squad can take one of those three matchups and bring this seemingly endless losing streak to a close.

After Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet surprisingly wasn't moved at Tuesday's trade deadline, it sounds like he could be staying put for the foreseeable future.

Per ESPN's Jesse Rogers, White Sox general manager Chris Getz said the team intends to have discussions with Crochet regarding a contract extension this offseason.

"We'll have conversations," Getz said. "We'll have time to have dialogue with Garrett and his agents. If it lines up, it lines up. What he's done so far, as a new starting pitcher, is nothing short of phenomenal. To be part of his journey as he matures as a pitcher and person, I'd love to be part of that. It has to make sense for both sides."

Crochet was expected to be traded so Chicago could recoup assets amid a lost season. However, things became complicated when he declared he would require a contract extension from his next team if he were to pitch into the postseason and wouldn't pitch out of the bullpen. He said Wednesday that he stands by those sentiments.

"Whether a deal went through or not, I don't think was dependent on that being said or not," Crochet said. "I think that any team would see the amount of innings I threw last year and find it reasonable, so ultimately I think it was the right call."

The 25-year-old leads the American League and ranks second in the majors with 160 strikeouts. He has a 6-8 record in 22 starts with a 3.23 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. He's pitched a career-high 114.1 innings, and being just two years removed from Tommy John surgery, he said it's important for him to protect himself.

"Anyone can understand where I'm coming from in that regard," Crochet said. "I think it may have come across as greedy to some, but those in the industry realize that it's logical to have that line of thinking."

Despite remaining on a White Sox team that has the worst record in the majors at 27-83, Crochet said he believes he made the right decision for his future.

"Everything happens for a reason," Crochet said. "Ultimately, the right move was made, and here I am."

The Chicago White Sox decided not to trade pitcher Garrett Crochet ahead of the 2024 MLB trade deadline.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported the team's decision.

Crochet is in the midst of a breakout 2024 season. He's 6-8 with a 3.23 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while striking out 160 batters in 114.1 innings in his first career season as a starter.

The 25-year-old's emergence as a starter was a surprise given the fact he's never thrown extended innings at any point in his career. Before the 2024 season, the most innings Crochet had thrown in a season was 65 during his sophomore campaign at Tennessee. He has more starts this season (22) than he did during his entire time in college and the minors combined (13).

The White Sox have two years of team control remaining before Crochet hits the open market in 2027, but the recent success and Chicago's struggles as a team had the pitcher on the top of numerous trade boards heading into the deadline.

The New York Yankees notably reached out but were denied by the White Sox, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

However, the pitcher threw a wrench in the team's plans when it was reported he wanted a new contract if he's traded or else he will sit out the postseason, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

It complicated the White Sox's strategy, which traded other prominent players like Eloy Jimenez before the deadline.

The White Sox have just the No. 20 overall farm system in baseball, so it's unclear when they'll be ready to compete again. Conventional wisdom had Chicago trading Crochet ahead of the deadline to kickstart the rebuild, but it's clear the front office disagrees.

Chicago will now look to move forward with Crochet, hoping to either agree to a long-term contract or find a new suitor for a trade in the offseason.

The fire sale continues in Chicago.

The White Sox have reportedly traded outfielder Eloy Jiménez to the Baltimore Orioles, per multiple reports:

Trade news: The Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a deal to acquire outfielder Eloy Jimenez from the Chicago White Sox, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2024

The Orioles are acquiring Eloy Jimenez from the White Sox, per source. @JeffPassan was on it.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2024

The White Sox will be getting prospect Trey McGough in the deal:

Confirming that Triple-A reliever Trey McGough headed to White Sox in Eloy Jimenez deal. Was selected in Triple-A phase of Rule 5 draft. Pitched at Mount St. Mary's #orioles

— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 30, 2024

A modest return isn't a surprise, given that Jiménez is hitting .240 this season with five homers, 16 RBI, 18 runs and a .642 OPS in 65 games.

It's a curious trade from Baltimore's perspective. Jiménez isn't a good defensive player and doesn't feel like a great fit in left field, likely reducing him to an occasional designated hitter role.

#MLBTonight weighs in on the Orioles' reported addition of White Sox slugger Eloy Jiménez.#TradeDeadline | #Birdland pic.twitter.com/tjgGP9HMhT

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 30, 2024

For the White Sox, it was a chance to shed salary and remove another player from a clubhouse that has been responsible for an absolutely disastrous season.

Told this was mainly to get out of $$$ by White Sox https://t.co/QByKd6J3uE

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 30, 2024

Salary dump: Jimenez was earning $13 million in the final year of a six-year, $43 million contract and the White Sox finally found a taker. https://t.co/D3cfUNQo5m

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 30, 2024

.@TheBigHurt_35 did NOT hold back on Eloy Jimenez talking about running the bases 😮 pic.twitter.com/jN6xVClzs9

— White Sox on CHSN (@CHSN_WhiteSox) July 25, 2024

Add Jiménez to the list of White Sox on the move ahead of the trade deadline.

Paul DeJong was traded to the Kansas City Royals. Michael Kopech was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham were dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade. Tanner Banks was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies.

However, the two biggest players rumored to potentially be dealt ahead of Tuesday's deadline, Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr., will be sticking around.

It was time for the White Sox to shake up the roster, and Jiménez was an obvious option to be moved if the team could find a taker. The Orioles will offer Jiménez a fresh start and the chance to potentially play in the postseason, even if it remains murky as to how much of a role he'll actually have with the team.

The Chicago White Sox are struggling immensely this season, with an MLB-worst 27-82 record, with a winning percentage of just .248. The worst 162-game season in MLB history came from the 2003 Detroit Tigers, who went just 43-119 (.265).

Yes, the White Sox are currently on pace to finish with a worse record than that, to the point that manager Pedro Grifol reportedly pointed it out to the team as a potential motivational tool. That, in part, has led to a fractured clubhouse, per Shane Riordan of 670 The Score:

Pedro Grifol recently tried to motivate his White Sox by telling them they’d be remembered forever if they become the worst team in MLB history. Veterans weren't pleased.

“Pedro is a good guy, just not the man for the job,” a source said.

Listen: https://t.co/bBgGTx2Hzg pic.twitter.com/xMOetd5HwO

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) July 30, 2024

REPORT: the #WhiteSox clubhouse is fractured.

The first game back from All-Star break, manager Pedro Grifol told his team (paraphrasing) that "if this goes down as one of the worst seasons ever, it's on absolutely NO ONE but the players."

Also, RUNNING & BP have been madated.

— Shane Riordan (@shane_riordan) July 30, 2024

In all of baseball history, the worst record for a season with at least 120 games came all the way back in 1899, courtesy of the Cleveland Spiders, who went 20-134. No other team has ever reached the 130-loss threshold.

The White Sox technically could become the second team to do so, though they would have to go 5-48 down the stretch, which seems highly unlikely (but not completely outside the realm of possibility).

The fact that such paragraphs can even be written, however, is a testament to just how poorly the season is going in Chicago. The White Sox have already clinched a losing record for the season with two full months remaining and are in the midst of a 15-game losing streak. It's all just... bad.

Grifol, in his second season in charge and overseeing what appears almost guaranteed to be a second straight season with over 100 losses, will be the obvious candidate as the fall guy. His record with the White Sox, 88-183, is brutal. Rumors are spreading about who will, or should, be his replacement.

"I quite honestly haven't paid too much attention to it," White Sox general manager Chris Getz told reporters Monday regarding that buzz. "I understand the speculation considering the state of our major-league club at the moment. Right now, we are focused on the trade deadline, and Pedro is focused on winning a game [Monday night]."

"So, rumors are rumors," he continued. "It sounds like names have been thrown out there, which it's pure speculation. Nothing more than that. I'm sure those won't slow down. But I'd like to think we are both professional enough that we just focus on what we have to do that day to either help the short-term or long-term health of the Chicago White Sox."

This level of losing is going to cause rifts and make a manager's message to his players potentially fall on deaf ears. It sounds as though the White Sox—in the midst of a fire sale ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline—are less than a cohesive unit at this point.

The Atlanta Braves are one of the more disappointing teams of the 2024 season, though not entirely through their own fault.

Sure, the offense is a shell of the historic unit that fueled the team to the top seed in the National League last season, but a rash of injuries has prevented the team from realizing its fullest potential.

Ronald Acuña Jr. is the most obvious missing piece following a torn left ACL that will keep him out of action for the remainder of the season, but he is not the only one. Ozzie Albies suffered a fractured left wrist that landed him on the injured list for at least eight weeks back on July 21.

More damning than those two key pieces suffering significant injuries are the pitchers who have either missed significant time or will miss the rest of the season. Max Fried went on the IL the same day Albies did with left arm neuritis. Ace Spencer Strider is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April.

That one-two punch damaged the Braves' chances of winning a World Series this season and the team knows it. The New York Post's Jon Heyman reported that the team is considering a deal for White Sox ace Garrett Crochet.

Garrett Crochet - Target Practice 🎯 pic.twitter.com/7EgqqcyU8c

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 14, 2024

Crochet is understandably one of the most coveted players at the deadline, with a modest 3.23 ERA but the second-most strikeouts in the majors with 160. He has been an absolute flame thrower for a bad White Sox team and with a salary of just $800,000, he is an affordable addition for Atlanta.

At least for now.

Crochet made it clear that he wants to remain a starter despite a skillset that makes him an excellent reliever and more importantly, he wants a contract extension from whichever team signs him.

How that affects any team's desire to make a trade for him, especially given his elbow and shoulder injury history, remains to be seen but he has nearly doubled the number of innings he has ever pitched before, combined, and has certainly been good enough to warrant loyalty from whichever club picks him up.

Considering the need the Braves have if they want to go on a run and make the most out of what has been an up-and-down season at best, it would behoove them to get on the phone with the White Sox and get a deal done before another contender beats them to it.

Crochet would provide the spark on the mound the team needs and allow their bats to get hot again. He is the key to any midseason renaissance the team may undergo.

Without some pitching help acquired at the deadline, the Braves will likely have to play for next season because, playoffs or not, what they are currently putting on the field is not enough to win the most coveted prize in professional baseball.

No team has been mentioned more frequently as potential suitors ahead of the MLB trade deadline than the struggling Chicago White Sox.

Which players they actually will end up dealing, however, remains something of a mystery.

According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, "The White Sox are more likely to move Erick Fedde and Michael Kopech than they are Luis Robert Jr. or Garrett Crochet unless something significantly changes between now and Tuesday."

He added that one team pushing for Fedde is the Milwaukee Brewers, while the Chicago Cubs are also believed to have interest.

Crochet and Robert would be the big-ticket items if put on the trade market, but Bowden noted that Crochet is seeking an extension with any team that trades for him and won't pitch in October unless he gets it. That likely threw a wet blanket on his market.

As for Fedde and Kopech, the former is 7-4 this season with a 3.11 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 108 strikeouts in 21 starts. Kopech, meanwhile, has made 43 appearances out of the bullpen with a 4.74 ERA, 1.35 ERA, nine saves, one hold and 59 strikeouts in 43.2 innings. He has intriguing stuff, but has never translated that to consistent production at the MLB level.

The trade market for Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet remains hot despite some concerns about playoff availability.

The All-Star starter had expressed his desire for a contract extension from a team that trades for him at the 2024 Trade Deadline. This has caused rumors centered around him not participating in the postseason without a contract extension and also requesting that he not be transitioned to a bullpen role during the playoffs.

Despite this, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that his market "remains active" and that the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are notable suitors.

"The market for Crochet remains active, according to sources briefed on the trade discussions involving him," Rosenthal wrote. "While certain teams are reluctant to move forward because of his reported refusal to pitch in the playoffs without a contract extension, other clubs continue to pursue him. The San Diego Padres and Dodgers, two clubs in the mix from the start, are believed to be among them."

---

Crochet is 6-7 with a 3.07 ERA in 111.1 innings during 2023. This is his first season as a traditional starter and he has already doubled his previous season high of innings pitched.

While this transition makes him more valuable on the trade market, it still presents concerns for a contending team that will likely have to monitor his innings to avoid injury. The Dodgers surely have experience with this, as Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, and Tyler Glasnow have all spent time on the injured list this season.

May is out for the year, but the others have either returned or should return by season's end. This could help the team ease Crochet's load as the season continues, and he could fit into their future plans as well. The Dodgers are currently 62-43 and lead the NL West.

The Padres are right behind Los Angeles at 56-50 and currently hold the final Wild Card spot. Crochet would bolster the rotation and could play a key role in getting San Diego back to the postseason after missing in 2023.

The 2024 MLB Trade Deadline is set for July 30 at 6 p.m. ET.