O's game blog: A new homestand begins

Back home for the first time since Aug. 25 after a 3-3 road trip, the Orioles begin a six-game homestand this afternoon versus the Chicago White Sox, who will be followed by the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Orioles (79-59) are a half game back of the New York Yankees (79-58) as play begins today. The Orioles went 1-2 in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium and then 2-1 in Denver at Coors Field.

They scored 10 runs versus the Dodgers and produced 16 runs on 27 hits with a .759 OPS against Colorado. The Birds have had three straight games scoring five or more runs for the first time since July 14-20.

Today the Orioles host the Chicago White Sox (31-107), who have easily the worst record in the majors. They have lost 20 more games than any other club with Colorado next at 87.

The White Sox were swept over the weekend by the New York Mets, losing 5-1, 5-3 and 2-0.

Chicago has lost 10 in a row and 14 of 15. The White Sox are 4-36 in the second half and 4-40 their last 44 games. With Sunday’s result, they've lost a season-high-tying 12 straight at home. They went a franchise-record 0-10 during their just-completed homestand and were swept for the 22nd time this season.

Chicago recorded their franchise-record 107th loss of the season, passing the 1970 club (106). The White Sox have lost 100-plus games in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history, and joined the 2003 Tigers and 1962 Mets as the only teams in major league history to lose 100 or more games before September.

Chicago is chasing the 1962 Mets (40-120) for most losses ever. Chicago is 3-18 under interim manager Grady Sizemore, with 13 of the 18 losses coming by three runs or fewer.

Sizemore was named Sox skipper Aug. 8, replacing Pedro Grifol. Sizemore was a career .265/.349/.457 hitter with 150 home runs in 1,101 games over 10 big league seasons. He was a three-time American League All-Star (2006-08), two-time Gold Glove Award honoree (2007-08) and a Silver Slugger Award winner (2008), all with Cleveland.

The White Sox have had losing streaks this year of 21, 14, 10 (current) and seven games. During the current 10-game loss streak they have scored just 22 runs with a .546 OPS, and their pitchers have a 5.40 ERA.

Today O’s right-hander Corbin Burnes (12-7, 3.23 ERA) tries to end a slump that lasted throughout August. Burnes this year had an ERA of 1.50 in March, 2.76 in April, 2.17 in May, 2.12 in June and 3.09 in July. It was 7.36 in August, during which he logged an OPS against of .827.

Over his past three starts, Burnes is 0-3 with a 8.59 ERA, allowing 20 runs (14 earned) in 14 2/3 innings with a .942 OPS against.

In his past five starts, he is 1-3 with a 7.36 ERA, allowing 28 runs (21 earned) over 25 2/3 with an .827 OPS allowed.

In his first 22 starts this year, Burnes did not allow five runs or more once. But he has now done that in four of his past five starts. He is 3-3 with a 5.32 ERA in eight second-half starts.

Even with his recent struggles, Burnes’ ERA still ranks tied for seventh in the American League, and he is tied for seventh in innings, third with 19 quality starts and eighth with a .640 OPS against.

Righty Chris Flexen (2-13, 5.29 ERA), who is tied for the major league lead in losses, starts for the visitors. He did not get a decision May 24 versus the Orioles, allowing four runs over 4 2/3 innings. The White Sox are only 2-24 in Flexen's starts this year.