How many more losses do the Chicago White Sox need to match the modern-day record?

The Chicago White Sox are closing in on matching the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in modern-day MLB history.

The ’62 expansion Mets went 40-120 in their first season. The Sox are 36-115 — five shy of tying the mark. Those 115 losses are a franchise record.

The Sox need to go 7-4 in their final 11 games to avoid drawing even with the Mets.

The American League record for losses in a season belongs to the 2003 Detroit Tigers, who went 43-119.

Latest loss: 2-0 to the Oakland Athletics (Friday)

It appeared Andrew Vaughn had taken ball four.

But instead of the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning of Friday’s game against the Oakland Athletics, Vaughn remained in the box when plate umpire Brian Walsh called a strike on a 3-0 pitch that, according to MLB Statcast, missed high.

Vaughn eventually struck out. And the best scoring chance for the White Sox fizzled when Lenyn Sosa lined out to left.

“Big momentum swing,” interim manager Grady Sizemore said.

Momentum never went the Sox way in a 2-0 loss to the A’s in front of 26,513 at Guaranteed Rate Field. It was loss No. 115 for the Sox, extending their franchise record. The 115 losses are tied for the fourth most during MLB’s modern era. The Baltimore Orioles finished 47-115 in 2018 and the 1935 Boston Braves went 38-115.

Remaining schedule

• Tuesday: at Los Angeles Angels, 8:38 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Wednesday: at Los Angeles Angels, 3:07 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Friday: at San Diego Padres, 8:40 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Saturday: at San Diego Padres, 7:40 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Sunday: at San Diego Padres, 3:10 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Sept. 24: vs. Los Angeles Angels, 6:40 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Sept. 25: vs. Los Angeles Angels, 6:40 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Sept. 26: vs. Los Angeles Angels, 1:10 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Sept. 27: at Detroit Tigers, 5:40 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Sept. 28: at Detroit Tigers, 12:10 p.m. (NBCSCH)
• Sept. 29: at Detroit Tigers, 2:10 p.m. (NBCSCH)

Notable streaks this season

The Sox have had three double-digit losing streaks — 14 games from May 22-June 6, an AL record-tying 21 straight from July 10-Aug. 5 and 12 consecutive from Aug. 23-Sept. 3.

Their skid of 20 straight series losses ended Sunday after back-to-back wins over the Oakland Athletics. Those two victories also broke a streak of not having won consecutive games since a stretch of three straight victories June 27-29.

They snapped their current stretch of 16 consecutive home losses Saturday, which also was a franchise record.

Originally Published: September 16, 2024 at 11:20 p.m.