White Sox Finish Another Losing Month in August, Need to Finish Strong

Aug 31, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) and center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) and right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) run to swarm Tyler Collins (not pictured) after his sacrifice fly to score Jones defeats the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) and center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) and right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) run to swarm Tyler Collins (not pictured) after his sacrifice fly to score Jones defeats the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Detroit won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

White Sox finish August with 12-14 record after getting swept by Tigers on Wednesday. With a month left in the season, the team’s chances of finishing .500 is getting slimmer with each game.

The White Sox not only had a chance to finish their first winning month since April before their series with the Tigers on Monday. The team also had a chance to keep its slim playoff chances alive. However, after three games in Detroit, the team was swept again this season at Comerica Park.

With the walk-off loss to the Tigers on Wednesday, the team finished its fourth consecutive losing month this season. Since going 17-11 in April, the team hasn’t come close to having another winning month. This has certainly played a part in the team falling from contention among other factors.

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The South Siders inability to finish August with a winning record should be frustrating for fans. Along with the ludicrous naming rights change announced last week, August hasn’t been kind for fans of this team. As September is upon us, the pale hose have another chance to finish a month with a winning record. The team’s record by month this season is listed below.

April: 17-11

May: 11-17

June: 12-14

July: 11-15

August: 12-14

As you can see, an underwhelming May and July really doomed this team from truly contending. Although the pale hose can finish September with a winning record, it won’t be easy for them to do so. The biggest threat for the White Sox accomplishing this are divisional games.

Despite having a winning record against the AL West and AL East divisions, the South Siders haven’t done well against the AL Central. Outside of a 7-3 record against the Twins, the White Sox don’t have a winning record against any other team in its division.

The White Sox have two remaining series at home and on the road against the Twins, Royals and Indians. The team has one remaining series with the Tigers. With the White Sox at 63-69, the task of finishing the season at .500 will mostly depend on the team having a successful September. As the team tries to have  a winning month, they will also have to insert younger players into the lineup or rotation.

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With rosters expanding, fans could see some newer players playing on the South Side in September. This will make it harder for the White Sox to finish the season with a winning month as they’ll face other contending teams. Although the season hasn’t been much different than 2015, the White Sox still have a chance to finish at .500. If they can’t have a winning September, expect more frustrations from fans when the season ends.

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