{"id":814501,"date":"2026-09-26T05:48:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T05:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/814501\/"},"modified":"2026-09-26T05:48:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T05:48:20","slug":"cubs-white-sox-playoff-possibilities-for-final-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/814501\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs, White Sox playoff possibilities for final weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

The marathon that is the Major League Baseball season is down to a September sprint, and the Cubs<\/a> and White Sox<\/a> clinched postseason berths Thursday. It is only the fourth time in MLB history that both teams have made the playoffs in the same season (1906, 2008 and 2020).<\/p>\n

The Cubs will finish in second place in the National League Central for the fourth consecutive season \u2014 with the first-place Milwaukee Brewers having clinched their fourth straight division crown<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The White Sox, meanwhile, are in a neck-and-neck battle with the Cleveland Guardians for the American League Central crown. The Sox are trying to complete a remarkable worst-to-first turnaround after losing more than 100 games<\/a> each of the last three seasons.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where things stand.<\/p>\n

Want the latest baseball news? Subscribe to the Chicago Tribune<\/a> to read it all \u2014 and sign up for our Cubs Insider<\/a>\u00a0and White Sox Insider<\/a> newsletters.<\/p>\n

Cubs
\n\"Cubs<\/p>\n

Cubs manager Craig Counsell celebrates with his team in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff spot Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff spot with a victory over the Marlins on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (15) celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff spot with a victory against the Marlins on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

Cubs catcher Carson Kelly celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff spot Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after clinching a wild-card playoff berth with a victory over the Marlins on Sept. 24, 2026,at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

Cubs starter Matthew Boyd, center, celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff spot with a victory against the Marlins on Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

Cubs fans hold “W” flags after a victory over the Marlins on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrates with teammates after clinching a playoff spot with a victory against the Marlins on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Cubs pose as a group after clinching a playoff spot with a victory against the Marlins on Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

\"Cubs<\/p>\n

Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong acknowledges fans after clinching a playoff spot with a victory against the Marlins on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 10<\/p>\n

Cubs manager Craig Counsell celebrates with his team in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff spot Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Record: 88-73 through Friday.<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s results: Swept in doubleheader against Red Sox, losing 4-3 and 2-0.<\/p>\n

Games remaining: 1.<\/p>\n

NL Central: The Brewers won the division<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NL wild card: The Cubs, who clinched a playoff spot<\/a> Thursday, are 1\u00bd games behind the Padres for the top spot after the Padres lost to the Diamondbacks 11-4 later Friday in San Diego. The Phillies are a half-game behind the Cubs after losing 2-0 to the Rays on Friday. The Diamondbacks trail the Phillies by one game after their win. The Cubs own tiebreakers over the Padres and Phillies.<\/p>\n

Last playoff appearance: 2025 as the No. 4 seed in the NL as the top wild card. The Cubs beat the Padres 2-1 in the wild-card series before losing to the Brewers<\/a> 3-2 in the division series.<\/p>\n

Postseason history: 22 appearances in 150 seasons \u2014 eight division titles, four wild-card berths, 17 pennants and three championships (1907, 1908, 2016).<\/p>\n

40-40 watch: Pete Crow-Armstrong<\/a> on Thursday become the seventh player in MLB history to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season<\/a>. He has 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases. The six who accomplished the feat before him:<\/p>\n

Jos\u00e9\u00a0Canseco, Athletics, 1988: 42 home runs, 40 stolen bases
\nBarry Bonds, Giants, 1996: 42-40
\nAlex Rodriguez, Mariners, 1998: 42-46
\nAlfonso Soriano, Nationals, 2006: 46-41
\nRonald Acuna Jr., Braves, 2023: 41-73
\nShohei Ohtani, Dodgers, 2024: 54-59<\/p>\n

White Sox
\n\"White<\/p>\n

White Sox players celebrate in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff spot Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Charlie Riedel\/AP)<\/p>\n

\"Braden<\/p>\n

Braden Montgomery, right, and Munetaka Murakami celebrate after the White Sox clinched a playoff berth with a 9-1 win against the Royals on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Tanner Gatlin\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/p>\n

Mike Vasil holds Kyle Teel as the White Sox celebrate clinching the a playoff berth at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Tanner Gatlin\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/p>\n

Mike Vasil celebrates after the White Sox clinched a playoff berth Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Tanner Gatlin\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"Munetaka<\/p>\n

Munetaka Murakami celebrates in the clubhouse after the White Sox clinched a playoff berth Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Tanner Gatlin\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/p>\n

Mike Vasil celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after the White Sox clinched a playoff spot with a victory against the Royals on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Charlie Riedel\/AP)<\/p>\n

\"Braden<\/p>\n

Braden Montgomery celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after the White Sox clinched a playoff spot with a win against the Royals on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Charlie Riedel\/AP)<\/p>\n

\"Mike<\/p>\n

Mike Vasil celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after the White Sox clinched a playoff spot Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Charlie Riedel\/AP)<\/p>\n

\"Munetaka<\/p>\n

Munetaka Murakami (5) and Braden Montgomery celebrate after the White Sox beat the Royals 9-1 to clinch a playoff berth at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Tanner Gatlin\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"Braden<\/p>\n

Braden Montgomery, left, and Tristan Peters celebrate after the White Sox beat the Royals 9-1 to clinch a playoff berth Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Charlie Riedel\/AP)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 10<\/p>\n

White Sox players celebrate in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff spot Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (Charlie Riedel\/AP)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Record: 83-77 through Friday.<\/p>\n

Friday\u2019s result: 6-1 win against the Rockies.<\/p>\n

Games remaining: 2.<\/p>\n

vs. Rockies, 6:10 p.m. Saturday at Rate Field, CHSN.
\nvs. Rockies, 2:10 p.m. Sunday at Rate Field, CHSN.<\/p>\n

AL Central: The White Sox, who clinched a playoff spot<\/a> Thursday, trail the first-place Guardians by one game after the Guardians beat the Royals 12-7 on Friday. If the Sox and Guardians finish with the same record, the Sox own the tiebreaker and would win the division title.<\/p>\n

AL wild card: The Sox hold the No. 3 spot but could win the AL Central and drop the Guardians into the wild-card picture.<\/p>\n

Last playoff appearance: 2021 as the AL Central champions and No. 3 seed in the AL. The White Sox lost to the Astros<\/a> 3-1 in the division series.<\/p>\n

Postseason history: 11 appearances in 125 seasons \u2014 six division titles, one wild-card berth, six pennants and three championships (1906, 1917, and 2005).<\/p>\n

Playoff format<\/p>\n

Wild-card round<\/p>\n

Tuesday-Thursday, best of three, all at the higher seed<\/p>\n

No. 5 seed at No. 4 seed
\nNo. 6 seed at No. 3 seed<\/p>\n

Nos. 1 and 2 seeds have byes<\/p>\n

Division series<\/p>\n

Oct. 3-10, best of five, 2-2-1 format<\/p>\n

No. 1 vs. No. 4\/5 winner
\nNo. 2 vs. No. 3\/6 winner<\/p>\n

League Championship Series<\/p>\n

Oct. 11-20, best of seven, 2-3-2 format<\/p>\n

World Series<\/p>\n

Oct. 23-31, best of seven, 2-3-2 format<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The marathon that is the Major League Baseball season is down to a September sprint, and the Cubs…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":810060,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2399],"tags":[48646,5,138,24,4245,161,47653,39965,4,98169,2303,50433,35046,97978,29389],"class_list":["post-814501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-chicago-cubs","tag-al-central-standings","tag-baseball","tag-chicago","tag-chicago-cubs","tag-chicagocubs","tag-cubs","tag-cubs-magic-number","tag-cubs-record","tag-mlb","tag-mlb-magic-number","tag-mlb-postseason","tag-mlb-postseason-schedule","tag-nl-central-standings","tag-white-sox-magic-number","tag-white-sox-record"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@mlb\/117335773344912928","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=814501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/814501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/810060"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=814501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=814501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=814501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}