Missed it by that much: Rangers 4, White Sox 3 (10 innings)

Eight straight losses and now 20 late leads blown

Just 10 teams and none since 1962 have started as badly as the 2024 White Sox, 102 games into this endless, merciless season. On one hand, the White Sox blew past their season average of two runs in this one (THREE), but flip side, 17 Ks in 10 innings, as Luis Robert Jr., Andrew Benintendi and Gavin Sheets pocketed three apiece. In fact, the first five hitters in the order — you know, the “good ones,” combined for 14 whiffs.

Top Play

It wasn’t the game-winner for the Rangers, but the game-tier. Down to their last strike, catcher Jonah Heim trickled a ground ball on the first-base side of the keystone, no man’s land for the White Sox defense (believe it or not, not the ENTIRE FIELD). The single carried a 44.0% WPA.

Top Performer

However, based on total game contributions, Wyatt Langford (the author of the game-winning single to the left field wall, plus a double and a stolen base) takes game honors, with 44.1% WPA.

Hardest Hit

Luis Robert Jr. yanked a double to the left field corner that sizzled off of the bat at 110.4 mph.

Weakest Contact

Weaker than the two bunts in the game and yet about as strong as one, Marcus Semien led off the game for Texas with a comebacker to Erick Fedde at 42.9 mph.

Luckiest Hit

Jonah Heim’s single, the one pictured above and the biggest swing of the game, was also the luckiest hit given the placement: .230 xBA.

Toughest Out

Justin Foscue grounded out to shortstop in the fifth on a 107.2 mph, .520 xBA screamer.

Longest Hit

Tommy Pham homered on an absolute monster shot to left-center in the first. The 441-foot blow would have been a home run in all 29 other MLB parks as well.

Futility Watch

White Sox 2024 Record 27-75, worst 102-game start in White Sox history (7 1⁄2 games worse than the next-worst, 1948 White Sox), tied for 10th-worst start all-time, and a season-worst 48 games under .500
White Sox 2024 Run Differential -192, 36th-worst 102-game start in MLB history and a White Sox season-worst
White Sox 2024 Season Record Pace 43-119 (.265)
Race to the Worst “Modern” 162-Game Record (2003 Tigers, 43-119) EVEN
Race to the Worst “Modern” Record in a 162-Game Season (1962 Mets, 40-120) 2 games better
Race to the Most White Sox Losses (1970, 106) 13 games worse
Race to the Worst White Sox Record (1932, 52-109-1*) 9 1⁄2 games worse
Race to the Worst American League Record (1916 A’s, 38-124*) 5 games better
*record adjusted to a 162-game season

Glossary

WPA win probability added measures contributions to the win
xBA expected batting average