Tigers 13, White Sox 4: You expected something different?
99 losses, on August 24
Where were you when the White Sox lost their 99th game?
One place you were not was where all the other White Sox teams in history were when they lost their 99th; namely, September.
#WhiteSox teams suffering their 99th loss:
— Brett Ballantini (@BrettBallantini) August 25, 2024
1932: September 18
1970: September 22
1948: September 28
2013: September 29
2018: September 29
2023: September 29
1934: September 30
2024 ... August 24!
Now THAT's efficiency, 2024 White Sox!
This game was abominable. Ky Bush was swell in Birmingham this year and not good in Charlotte. His problem entering tonight in the majors had been free passes, averaging five per start despite overall numbers that were solid. Tonight, guess what, the walks were solved (one) ... at the expense of some HARD contact (three innings, eight hits, five earned). And the control issue isn’t solved, with 24-for-60 pitches out of the strike zone Bush was putting most every Tiger in the catbird seat, to tee off.
The White Sox scored four runs, almost a full run more than their 3.1 per game average. And that came in a start against a Cy Young ace who entered tonight with a 2.48 ERA.
What could have been cause for celebration became just another loss. Loss 99, in fact.
Futility Watch
White Sox 2024 Record 31-99, worst 130-game start in White Sox history (10 games worse than the next-worst, 1932 White Sox), second-worst MLB start all-time and a season-worst 68 games below .500
White Sox 2024 Run Differential -271, tied for 11th-worst 129-game start in MLB history and a 2024 season worst
White Sox 2024 Season Record Pace 39-123 (.240)
All-Time White Sox Record (1901-2024) 9,584-9,590 (.49984)
Race to the Worst “Modern” 162-Game Record (2003 Tigers, 43-119) 4 games worse; need to finish 12-19 to end season 44-118
Race to the Worst “Modern” Record in a 162-Game Season (1962 Mets, 40-120) 3 games worse; need to finish 10-22 to end season 41-121
Race to the Most White Sox Losses (1970, 106) 17 games worse; need to finish season 26-6 to end season with 105 losses
Race to the Worst White Sox Record (1932, 52-109-1*) 13 1⁄2 games worse; need to finish season 22-11 to end season 53-109
Race to the Worst American League Record (1916 A’s, 38-124*) 1 game better; need to finish season 8-24 to finish 39-123
*record adjusted to a 162-game season