Staving off history: Can the White Sox delay the inevitable?

CHICAGO (WGN) — The Chicago White Sox have lost five of their last six, 23 of 29, 27 of 34, 53 of 63 and 59 of 72 on the way to sitting at 37-120 in the present day, but they will look to delay history at least another 24 hours after posting their first comeback win of the season on Tuesday.

Heading into Wednesday evening, the White Sox are looking to avoid setting a dubious benchmark — Major League Baseball’s all-time single-season loss record, which they currently share with the 1962 New York Mets.

Amid an almost dystopic atmosphere of cheers and jeers Tuesday night, Chicago did something they had yet to accomplish all year; comeback when trailing in the seventh inning or later.

Down 2-0, the White Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks to timely hitting and (gasp!) some help from the baseball gods?

Zach DeLoach and Bryan Ramos hit back-to-back doubles to score their first run of the game, then with runners on first and third, Los Angeles Angels second baseman Jack Lopez dropped a 2-out popup that scored the game’s tying run. Andrew Benintendi drove in what turned out to be the game-winning run on the very next pitch.

Then Justin Anderson (member of a bullpen that’s blown a Major League-leading 36 saves) came in for the ninth inning where, minus a walk, he pitched a clean frame to close the door on the Angels, moving the South Siders to 1-94 on the year when trailing in the seventh inning or later.

How do they win tonight?

Starting pitching and hoping the baseball gods cast their favor on Benintendi.

Chicago’s starting pitchers are 2-3 with a 2.72 ERA over their last ten 10 games, where the group has given up three runs or less in eight of those games, and one run or less in six.

If the starting pitchers turn in another gem like Jonathan Cannon did Tuesday (6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 hits, 1 BB, 7 K’s), and Benintendi can continue hitting well at the plate, they have a chance.

The White Sox’s highest-paid player in franchise history has hit safely in ten of his last 14 games, going 16-55 (.291) at the plate with four home runs, 12 RBI and an .848 OPS (league average is .712).

Of added note, if there’s a division in baseball the White Sox have seen at least a tiny bit of success against, it’s the American League West.

The South Siders won three straight against the AL West from Sept. 14 to Sept. 16, marking their longest win streak of the season, and 11 of their last 14 games against the AL West have been decided by two runs or less (eight by one run).

But what about the fans?

WGN News caught up with some White Sox fans before Wednesday night’s game to see how they feel about the franchise heading into another opportunity to make history.

“The owner does not care. He don’t care,” said Justin Love, a White Sox fan. “He doesn’t care about the Sox or the Bulls. Sell the team and bring back Ozzie [Guillen].”

Love is referring to White Sox and Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, who has bore the brunt of the ire from South Side baseball fans not just this year, but for most of recent history due to a long list of poor trades, draft picks and organizational dysfunction.

First pitch at Guaranteed Rate Field is set for 6:40 p.m. against the Los Angeles Angels, where Davis Martin (0-5, 4.27 ERA) will be taking on Jose Suarez (1-2, 6.08 ERA)

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