The Chicago White Sox lost again on Thursday, this time against the Tampa Bay Rays.
It’s not that they lose: it’s how they lose.
They lack talent, and they lack fight.
It’s almost if they are playing without spirit, with no focus.
They have lost eight games in a row and currently have a -58 run differential.
That’s outrageous.
It’s the third-worst run differential in the American League, dangerously close to the -59 of the Kansas City Royals.
It has been an incredibly disappointing start of the season for first-year manager Pedro Grifol.
The White Sox were 81-81 last year, and 93-69 in 2021.
Even analysts are starting to get off the boat.
And no final score graphic again tonight because I don’t feel like making it
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) April 28, 2023
Even professional teams on their Twitter accounts sometimes joke around with the final scores when it finishes in a lopsided loss for their team, so this is not that uncommon.
Still, it speaks volumes about White Sox fans’ current morale.
Even writers, analysts, and news accounts covering the team have lost any kind of faith in the roster and, especially, the front office.
For what it’s worth, GM Rick Hahn is taking the blame for the horrid start.
In a conversation with the media, Hahn was candid and open about who is to blame:
“Put it on me. That’s the job. It’s the absolute gig. Let’s make this real clear — it sure as heck isn’t on [first-year manager] Pedro [Grifol] and his coaching staff.”
It’s nice he is taking some responsibility for the White Sox’s struggles, and while he is mostly right, he is not the only one.
The White Sox are talented enough to have a modest rebound, but their days as a playoff contender appear to be nearing an end.
It’s still early, though.
