On Sunday, the Chicago White Sox lost for the 20th consecutive game, setting a franchise record and putting them just one loss away from tying the American League record of 21 straight. That record belongs to the Baltimore Orioles of 1988, who began the season 0-21.
Three more losses, and the White Sox will tie the Major League record for consecutive losses, set by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies. But a break in the schedule may keep the Sox from equaling the Phillies. Up next for Chicago is three straight games against the very bad, but not quite as bad, Oakland Athletics.
The losing has reached the point that sportsbooks are now offering White Sox special bets, including on which date the streak will end.
Monday’s game at Oakland is +155 to be Chicago’s next win. Tuesday’s game is paying +280. And you can place a bet right now for a Wednesday White Sox streak-ending victory and get +500.
After those three games, the White Sox come home to face their North Side rivals, the Chicago Cubs. If they haven’t yet won by that series opener on Friday, the game will be for the Major League record of 24 straight losses.
After three games with the Cubs, it’s three games at home against the New York Yankees, with the series ending on August 14. You can bet on the White Sox losing each of the next nine games and not winning at all before August 15, and that bet pays +1700.
On Pace for Most Losses in Modern Era
In the modern era of baseball, which most historians agree began in 1901, there are two “worst” seasons in history. The 120 losses by the expansion 1962 New York Mets are the most suffered in one season, and the .235 winning percentage (36-117) of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1916 is the worst in history. The White Sox are threatening both records.
The current over/under on White Sox wins is 40.5, meaning that bookmakers and bettors are expecting at least 121 losses, which would break the Mets record. Currently, the White Sox have a .237 winning percentage (27-87), which has them just short of being worse than the 1916 A’s. In order to break the A’s record for lowest winning percentage, the White Sox would need to lose at least 124 games.
The worst run differential in the modern era belongs to the 1932 Boston Red Sox. They finished the season 43-111, with a -345 in run differential. Last year’s Oakland A’s just missed matching them, finishing at -339. The White Sox are currently at a run differential of -247 and on pace to finish at -350.
With over 25 years of experience as a distinguished sports writer for renowned platforms such as Fox Sports and ESPN, Kyle Garlett is a sports betting specialist who has been at the forefront of documenting the global surge in sports betting and online gaming. Based in Denver, Colorado, Kyle hosts an NFL betting YouTube show and podcast. Kyle also has two sports books published by HarperCollins.
Kyle graduated the Azusa Pacific University in 1996 with a B.A. Degree in Communication and Journalism.
