White Sox Redefine Bad Loss, Make Cubs’ Occasional Struggles Look Pedestrian

The Cubs are a very nice 9-6 on the season, with most of their losses bearing at least a small measure of disappointment. They blew a lead in the series finale against the Diamondbacks in their first domestic series, then blew chances to sweep both the Padres and Rangers. They were never really in that most recent defeat, but still. Then you’ve got the two games against the Dodgers in Tokyo that feel as if they were part of a different season entirely.

But no matter how bad things have felt at times on the North Side, they can’t compare to what’s going on at the other end of the Red Line. The White Sox are yet again vying for the worst record in baseball — they’re tied with the Rockies and Braves (!?) at 2-9 as of this writing — and have begun inventing new ways to lose. Their latest pratfall came courtesy of former Cubs great Mike Tauchman, who was cruising home to score the tying run in the top of the 9th against the Guardians in Cleveland.

Then this happened…

Very unfortunate ending for the Chicago White Sox pic.twitter.com/Zr8HbUSWYk

— Dillard Barnhart (@BarnHasSpoken2) April 10, 2025

While there’s no guarantee they would have scored again that inning or in extras, closer Emmanuel Clase was clearly on the ropes after surrendering three singles and a walk in the inning. I don’t want to make light of Tauchman’s injury or put him at fault in any way, so this is more about pointing out how bad teams find ways to lose. Good teams, however, find ways to win.

In the Cubs’ case, it also a matter of bouncing back from bad losses to keep momentum and avoid skids. They won their first game back in the States after struggling in Japan, then won both Monday games following Sunday collapses. Now comes their biggest test yet, heading to SoCal for three each against the Dodgers and Padres. Then the Cubs return to Wrigley to host the Diamondbacks for three, Dodgers for two more (seriously?!), and Phillies for three.

That is quite the gauntlet and just making it to May at .500 or so will be a challenge. But even if the Cubs encounter some rough sailing over the next two weeks, just remember: They can’t possibly be as embarrassing as their crosstown brethren.