By Woodrow Carroll
After watching the Chicago White Sox struggle the first part of this season, there were observers who thought the team might pick up the pace following the all-star break. Although few, if any, nobody envisioned the Sox stringing together a long winning streak, the more optimistic Sox’ backers harbored the hope that the White Sox would show signs of an awakening. If the three games in Kansas City last weekend were any indication what to expect the rest of the campaign, the remainder of the this season might be worse than what the first part.
The three-game series in Kansas City against the host Royals found the Sox on the short end of 7-1, 6-1, and 4-1, scores. Prior to the all-star break, the Sox were working on a four-game losing streak, so the Sox losing streak heading into this week reached seven games. If nothing else, the White Sox have been a tonic for the opposition. Struggling teams welcome the Pale Hose to get back on track. Entering this week’s action, the Royals (55-45 .550) were the No. 3 team in the American League wild-card race.
The White Sox were no bargain last season and ended 61-101 (.377). Yet, the Sox were five games better than the Royals who limped home 56-106 (.346). Perhaps, the Royals’ quick rebound from last season’s debacle bodes well for the Sox.
The figures are ugly when you look at the White Sox picture. At 27-74 (.267), the White Sox represent the worst of the bad in Major League Baseball (MLB). The second worst record in the majors belongs to the Miami Marlins 35-64 (.354).
Sometimes it’s better for a team to trail in the divisional race rather than going for a postseason berth as a wild card.
The defending World Series champion Texas Rangers (47-52 .475) have not played well. The idea that a team doesn’t repeat as champion has taken hold of the Rangers. No team has repeated as World Series champion since the New York Yankees won three straight 1998 – 2000. Fortunately, the rest of the AL West has seen no team take command. Both the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, the marginal front runners in the AL West, have been playing in the neighborhood of .500 ball all season. So far, neither team has looked as a side that is about to assert itself in the divisional race.
In the AL West, the Rangers entered Monday only five games in back of the two teams, Houston and Seattle , that were locked in a virtual tie for first place inn the AL West.
As for the Rangers, prospects in the hunt for a wild-card berth at the week’s beginning, Texas finds itself 7.5 in back.
The Marlins are well on their way to ending up the worst team in the National League this season. Yet, last season the Marlins were 84-78 (.519) and made the playoffs. True, it was a short playoff run for the Marlins a year ago. Miami was quickly ousted from postseason action by the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Atlanta Braves with 104 victories followed by the Baltimore Orioles (101) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (100) all recorded 100 or more regular-season victories in 2023. None of the three reached the World Series.
The 2023 World Series included the Texas Rangers (90-72) who finished fifth among the six American League playoff qualifiers. In winning the World Series, four games to two, the Rangers downed the Arizona Diamondbacks (84-78), the sixth and final National League team to make the playoffs.