LOS ANGELES — The Chicago White Sox are on pace for 109 losses, which would be the second-most in franchise history behind last year’s MLB modern-day record of 121 defeats.
But their 121 mark might not last long, as the Colorado Rockies are on pace for 126 losses.
The teams with the two worst records in baseball begin a three-game series on Friday at Coors Field in Denver. The Sox were 28-59 entering Thursday’s series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, matching a season-high at 30 games under .500.
That’s still well ahead of the Rockies, who were 20-67 coming into Thursday. For comparison, the 2024 Sox were 24-62 through 86 games.
The strides the 2025 Sox have made with many new faces on the field and in the dugout are noticeable. Their 28th victory came on Sunday in the 84th game of the season. Last year, the Sox didn’t pick up victory No. 28 until game No. 116 on Aug. 6.
So how do this year’s Rockies stack up with the 2024 Sox in a mythical matchup? Here’s a closer look at the comparisons.
The Sox loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning of an April 22 game last season against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Andrew Vaughn hit a liner with an exit velocity of 104.7 mph. But Twins first baseman Alex Kirilloff made a diving catch and nearly turned a double play. Paul DeJong then struck out.
It was one of those nights for the Sox, who lost 7-0 to fall to 3-19. It was the eighth time they had been blanked, the most in American League/National League history (1901-present) through the first 22 games of a season.
That pace slowed a bit as they ended the year being shut out 19 times.
The Sox finished 2024 last in the majors in several offensive categories, including runs (507), home runs (133), hits (1,187) and walks (395).
Rockies’ Michael Toglia reacts after striking out against the Astros in the eighth inning on July 1, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Runs have also been hard to come by for this year’s Rockies, ranking 28th in majors with 305 in that category entering Thursday. That’s actually one spot ahead of the Sox (292).
The Rockies had one of those forgettable games on May 10. They trailed the San Diego Padres by seven runs after three innings. And then gave up eight runs in the fourth.
The Rockies collected just five hits themselves while getting clobbered 21-0. Colorado has been shut out nine times this season.
Their .290 team on-base percentage is the worst in the majors. Colorado is last in the National League (and 27th in the majors) with a .229 team batting average — the Sox are last in majors in that department (.221).
Pitching
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer relieves pitcher Angel Chivilli in the sixth inning at Coors Field on July 2, 2025, in Denver. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Sox had a five-run lead after four innings against the Cubs on June 4 last season at Wrigley Field. They ended up losing 7-6.
The next night, the Sox had a four-run lead going into the fifth inning. But they couldn’t hold on and suffered another 7-6 defeat when Mike Tauchman, now a Sox, hit a walk-off homer for the Cubs.
Those were two of the 56 times the Sox lost after leading at some point in the game.
The Rockies have had their share of heartbreaking losses this season, including on June 10 against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Colorado went to the ninth with a three-run lead, but the Giants scored four in the inning and held on to defeat the Rockies 6-5.
The Rockies have lost 27 times after holding a lead at some point in a game.
They have the worst team ERA in the majors (5.50). The defense hasn’t helped. The Rockies have the lowest fielding percentage in the big leagues (.977). Last year, the Sox finished 28th in the majors with a 4.67 team ERA. Walks have been a major issue. The 643 free passes were the most in the majors.
Streaks
Rockies mascot Dinger in the first inning of a game on June 21, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Sox had three losing streaks of at least 10 games in 2024, including a franchise-record 21 straight from July 10-Aug. 5. That slide matched the AL record established in 1988 by the Baltimore Orioles. They came within two of the all-time record held by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies.
The 21-game skid ended Aug. 6. The Sox fired manager Pedro Grifol on Aug. 8, with Grady Sizemore taking over on an interim basis.
The Sox won just three times in July and four times in August, losing 22 games in both months. They had a four-game winning streak from May 8-11, their longest of the season. They ended the season winning five of six to wrap up 2024 with just one more loss than the team that previously held the record, the 1962 New York Mets.
The Rockies already underwent a manageri
al change, with Warren Schaeffer replacing Bud Black on May 11. That move came after the team snapped an eight-game losing streak. They’ve had four eight-game skids this season and had lost seven of eight entering Thursday’s series finale against the Houston Astros. The club won four straight from June 15-18.
The Sox won two of three against the Rockies last June 28-30 in Chicago. They didn’t win another series until taking two of three from the Athletics on Sept. 13-15.
