It’s been nearly 20 years since the Chicago Cubs and White Sox both reached the playoffs in a full MLB season, but even more history could be on the line this year.
While both teams did reach the playoffs in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, it’s been 18 years since they reached the same postseason in a full 162-game season, doing so in the 2008 campaign.
Of course, both teams are dreaming of something potentially even bigger, aiming to potentially square off in the World Series for only the second time in MLB history.
That World Series showdown occurred 120 years ago, with the White Sox taking the 1906 Fall Classic against the rival Cubs.
In the 2026 season, the White Sox are currently in the driver’s seat of the American League Central race after sweeping the Detroit Tigers over the weekend, and the Cubs are firmly in control of their playoff destiny even after losing two-of-three to the St. Louis Cardinals, holding a substantial lead in the National League Wild Card race.
Now, with both teams brimming with optimism and hoping for playoff glory, they are set to square off at Wrigley Field for a three-game series that will get underway on Monday night, with games set for Monday and Tuesday nights and Wednesday afternoon at the Friendly Confines.
The White Sox hold the season series advantage so far after winning two-of-three games at Rate Field earlier this year, but the Cubs have won six consecutive games against the White Sox at Wrigley Field in the last two seasons.
Where do the teams stand in the playoff hunt?
The White Sox enter play Monday with a 5.5-game lead over the Tigers in the Central Division with 39 games left to play in the regular season. They also lead by six games over the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians, and are currently in position to earn a bye through the first round of the postseason, holding a 4.5-game lead over the Houston Astros for the second-best record in the American League.
As for the Cubs, they have slipped to five games behind the Brewers in the Central Division, but they still hold a commanding lead for a wild card spot, and would be in a position to host that wild card series at Wrigley Field if the season were to end today.
They also do have seven games remaining against the Brewers, giving them an opportunity to catch up to their bitter rivals.
What are their odds of reaching the postseason
According to Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA tool, the White Sox have a 74.4% chance of reaching the playoffs, the fourth-highest in the American League and by far the best in the Central Division.
They also have a 5.1% chance of winning the World Series, the fourth-best percentage in the American League.
According to FanGraphs, the White Sox have a 64.1% chance of winning their division and a 72.9% chance of reaching the playoffs, the latter of which is fourth-best in the American League.
They also have a 2.3% chance of winning the World Series.
As for the Cubs, they have a 97.8% chance of reaching the postseason according to PECOTA, though they only have a 20.6% chance of winning the division after the Milwaukee Brewers took three-of-four games from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend.
The Cubs have a 6.9% chance of winning the World Series, the fourth-best mark in the National League.
On FanGraphs, the Cubs have just a 14.3% chance of winning the Central but a 97.7% chance of reaching the postseason. They also have a 5.9% chance of winning the World Series, the fifth-best mark in the National League.
What has happened when the teams have both made the playoffs?
In 1906, the White Sox pulled off a significant upset as they defeated the Cubs four games to two in the World Series. The Cubs would go on to win the World Series in each of the next two years, but the Sox have always had bragging rights on the biggest stage.
More than 100 years later the two teams finally reached the playoffs in the same season, but both were eliminated in the Divisional Series round. Both teams also reached the playoffs in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, but again both teams were eliminated in the first round of the competition.
Hence then, the article about highly anticipated white sox vs cubs series could be a world series preview was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Highly-anticipated White Sox vs. Cubs series could be a World Series preview )
Also on site :
- ‘Zootopia 3’ Is Officially Happening — and Opening the City to a New Kind of Animal
- Billboard Ranks the 100 Biggest Hits of the Jackson Family, From Early Janet Jackson to Michael Jackson’s Most Iconic Duets
- Hayden Panettiere Was Unresponsive and Given Life-Saving Treatment After Apparent Overdose