Historic Parallel for Chicago Franchises
The Chicago Cubs and White Sox have clinched playoff berths in the final week of the Major League Baseball season, marking only the fourth time in MLB history that both teams made the playoffs in the same seasons. The previous instances occurred in 1906, 2008, and 2020.
The achievement concludes a marathon season down to a September sprint for both Chicago clubs. The Cubs finished in second place in the National League Central for the fourth consecutive season, while the Milwaukee Brewers clinched their fourth straight division crown.
White Sox Complete Unprecedented Turnaround
The White Sox became the first team ever to reach the playoffs after back-to-back 100-loss seasons. Chicago had lost at least 100 games in each of the last three seasons, including a modern MLB record of 121 losses in 2024.
They are just the third MLB team to lose 100 games and make the postseason a year later. The White Sox clinched their playoff berth with a 9-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Sept. 24, 2026, at Kauffman Stadium. They finished the regular season at 82-77.
White Sox manager Will Venable stated to MLB.com that the team has "belief in themselves" and "self-belief as any group I’ve seen." The White Sox trail the Cleveland Guardians by one game in the AL Central standings but hold the tiebreaker if they finish with the same record.
Cubs Secure Wild-Card Spot
While the White Sox focused on their historic ascent, the Cubs secured their postseason fate through a decisive victory. Chicago’s record stood at 88-71 through Thursday, and they officially clinched a wild-card spot with a 2-1 win against the Miami Marlins.
The victory underscored a strong offensive performance from young talent in the Windy City. Pete Crow-Armstrong became the seventh player in MLB history to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, finishing the year with 45 home runs and 40 stolen bases.
Celebrations Across the City
The clinching of playoff spots for both franchises sparked celebrations across Chicago. White Sox manager Craig Counsell celebrated with his team after clinching a playoff spot on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field.
For the Cubs, the postseason berth marked a return to relevance in the National League Central race, even as they finished second behind Milwaukee. The dual qualification highlights a unique moment in Chicago baseball history, where two teams with vastly different recent trajectories now share the same destination.