The Chicago White Sox are in the midst of another long losing streak, but can they somehow avoid posting the worst record in MLB history?
Entering play Tuesday, the White Sox had a 31-108 record on the season, having already set their single-season record for most losses.
The team is also in the midst of an 11-game losing streak, their third losing streak of 10 or more games this season.
Now, as they prepare to take on the Baltimore Orioles, the team is trying to avoid yet another record mark: the worst record in MLB history.
To do that, they have a lot to do. The current record holders are the 1962 New York Mets, who went 40-120 as they struggled through their first seasons of existence.
To avoid making that record, the White Sox must play their remaining 23 games at a clip above .500, with a 12-11 record to avoid making 120 losses.
Although the White Sox have a large number of games against teams outside of serious playoff contention, including the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels, they have a large number of games remaining against teams in postseason contention, including the Cleveland Guardians, San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox.
If the White Sox lose three more games, they would tie for 10Th-most losses in a single season in MLB history. The 2003 Detroit Tigers posted 119 losses and won five of their last six games to avoid matching or besting the Mets in that category, and the White Sox would need to go 13-10 to avoid breaking the American League record.
Entering play on Tuesday, the White Sox trail the Tigers by 39 games in the American League Central, and have already tied for the worst record in the American League this season.
After their series with the Orioles ends Wednesday, they head to Boston for three games against the Red Sox before returning home for three games with the Guardians next week.