How long the Chicago White Sox extend their historic losing streak has become an intriguing plot line for oddsmakers.
The White Sox enter Tuesday’s game at the Oakland Athletics riding a 21-game losing streak, which tied the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the American League record. They can establish a new mark for infamy when the teams meet again Tuesday, with Chicago (27-88) sending rookie right-hander Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.11 ERA) to the mound in search of the team’s first win since July 10.
If the White Sox lose to the A’s (47-67) for a second consecutive day, it would set the table for Chicago to potentially match the 23 straight losses recorded by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies, which stands as the modern-day major league mark for futility.
The White Sox haven’t won in nearly a month, but they are being offered at -175 by DraftKings to keep their losing streak under 22.5 games, which would require a win on Tuesday.
Cannon had a win and a save within his first six appearances (five starts) across both his first major league stint in April and his return in June. He has since fallen upon hard times, going 0-4 with a 4.78 ERA in his past seven outings (six starts). The A’s will counter with Ross Stripling (2-10, 5.64).
Should Oakland extend Chicago’s misery at least another day, the White Sox are currently -400 to stop the skid before it reaches 24 games on Wednesday.
A potential record-breaking 24th consecutive defeat could come when the White Sox return home to host the rival Chicago Cubs on Friday. The White Sox are -650 at the book to see their losing streak extend past 24.5 games, while the book is offering +475 odds that they set a new modern-day record at 25 games.
The all-time low-water mark was established by the 1889 Louisville Colonels, who lost 26 consecutive games en route to posting a 27-111 record. DraftKings is offering the White Sox at -1400 to end the streak before breaking that ignominious mark, and +750 odds that Chicago goes on to lose at least 27 consecutive games.
The White Sox’s struggles have magnified since the trade deadline, when the team shipped off several veteran contributors. They are now relying on a pair of rookies in their starting rotation along with the likes of Miguel Vargas, who is attempting to solidify his spot as the leadoff hitter since being acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“For our players, this is a great opportunity for them to come out and show everybody that they’re big-leaguers,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “In the midst of the storm that we’re in, I think it’s healthy for the players and the organization to get a really good look at where we’re at and where they’re at.”
–Field Level Media