The Cubs and White Sox will both play in the postseason for the first time since 2020, after clinching playoff spots within a matter of minutes of each other on Thursday afternoon.
The White Sox beat the Royals 9-1 in Kansas City, while the Cubs beat the Miami Marlins 2-1 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs will play in the National League Wild Card round. The White Sox have a chance to win the American League Central division and a first-round bye in the playoffs if they win one more game than the Cleveland Guardians the rest of the season.
The White Sox are the first team in Major League Baseball history to make the playoffs after consecutive 100-loss seasons. The White Sox lost 100-plus games the previous three seasons, and haven't been to the playoffs since 2021.
The Cubs are back in the postseason for the second year in a row, after losing the 2025 National League Division Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, 3 games to 2.
The players are fully aware of what's at stake.
"Obviously, we try to block out the noise as much as we can and keep the noise outside the clubhouse, and control the things we can control to win our game," Cubs pitcher Ryan Rolison said Wednesday night.
The most holy White Sox fan has not said anything on the topic. Pope Leo XIV's X account is focused on issues of greater worldwide import. But like many South Siders, the pope probably has his team in his prayers.
History was also made at the Cubs game Thursday, as center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong became the first player in Cubs history to join the 40-40 club. Crow-Armstrong is also the seventh MLB player in history to join the club, which requires having at least 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season.
