Joe Maddon not changing socks during Cubs' winning streak

CHICAGO -- White Sox pitcher Chris Sale has given Cubs manager Joe Maddon a reason to change his socks.

Sale struck out 15 to lead the White Sox to a 3-1 victory that ended the Cubs' nine-game winning streak.

Maddon revealed one superstition he had adhered to during his team's impressive run.

"I'll concede to one thing," Maddon said Sunday morning. "I've worn the same socks for many days to and from the ballpark. They're Camo Socks."

The Cubs entered Sunday winners of 15 of 16 games overall, their only loss during that stretch coming in Pittsburgh on Aug. 5 -- the only time Maddon washed his socks.

"It absorbs sweat really well, so it's not awful," Maddon joked.

Cubs first-base coach Brandon Hyde said he is sticking to similar baseball routines during the winning streak, like writing out the lineup card with the same pen. But he's changing his clothes at least.

Maddon says he normally isn't very superstitious; he's just a "little-stitious," as one of his favorite television characters, Michael Scott from "The Office," used to say.

The Cubs will look to start a new streak on Tuesday when they open a two-game series at home against the Detroit Tigers.