Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Chicago White Sox 0: Another series, another sweep

I guess I brought some bad luck to Erick Fedde in the game thread when I touted how well he pitched at home, so I’m taking a tiny bit of responsibility here. But it’s hard not to be frustrated when the White Sox disappoint so consistently. And tonight was just another example of that, as they were defeated for the 12th time this season.

Although Fedde threw a lot of strikes, he couldn’t fool the Boys in Blue. They know how to hit, and they put the starter to the test right away when leadoff batter and reigning NL home run leader Shohei Ohtani (25) took him deep in the first inning. It was the second straight night that Ohtani hit a four-hitter to start the game, and he extended his RBI streak to a franchise-record 10 games. It’s hard not to enjoy watching Shohei play; sorry, not sorry.

What Shohei accomplished tonight, hitting a home run in two consecutive games, is something the White Sox have only accomplished three times… in their history.

Fedde also got into trouble in the third inning when he loaded all bases with no one out. He couldn’t get out of the jam and gave up three runs that gave the Dodgers a 4-0 lead, more than enough to beat the worst team in baseball.

Michael Soroka came in to replace Fedde in the seventh inning and showed his strengths. He allowed no runs on one hit while allowing two walks and six strikeouts in three innings. Chicago’s bullpen is so unpredictable. It’s either feast or famine.

The South Side offense was nonexistent again with four hits. Four damn hits! Granted, I have to give credit to Gavin Stone, who was extremely efficient, throwing 103 pitches, 73 of which were strikes. His six-pitch mix was downright nasty, as he had seven strikeouts and no walks while going the entire game scoreless and his eighth good start of the year. So yes, the White Sox are awful, but Stone was fantastic and should be considered for a spot on the All-Star roster.

As a side note, Gavin Sheets, who had one of the four measly hits, left the game in the sixth inning. X-rays came back negative. He will likely miss five games before the White Sox remember to put him on the injured list.

Tomorrow, Chris Sale returns to his old stomping grounds to take part in a make-up game between the Atlanta Braves and the Sox. First pitch is at 3:10 p.m. CST. Stay tuned to South Side Sox for all the details.

Pointlessness Clock

White socks Record 2024 21-61, worst 82-game start in White Sox history (6 1⁄2 games ahead of the next worst, the 1948 White Sox)
White Sox run differential 2024 -172, 25th worst 81-game start in MLB history
White Sox record pace in the 2024 season 41-121 (.256)
Race for the worst “modern” 162-game record (2003 Tigers, 43-119) 2 games ahead
Race for the worst “modern” record in a season with 162 games (1962 Mets40-120) EVEN
Race for the most losses of the White Sox (1970, 106) 15 games to go
Race for the White Sox’s worst record (1932, 52-109-1*) 11 1⁄2 games ahead
Race for the worst record in the American League (1916 A’s, 38-124*) 3 games behind
*Record adjusted to a season with 162 games