The White Sox have been one of the surprise teams of MLB this year after a 102-loss season in 2025, holding first place in the AL Central much of the year and taking two of three from the Cubs on the South Side back in May.
As I noted last month, the Cubs and Sox have been in the postseason in the same year just three times — 1906 (when they met in the World Series), 2008 and the pandemic 2020 season. This very well could become the fourth such year.
It’s been a good year for Chicago baseball.
For more on the White Sox, here’s Chrystal O’Keefe, managing editor of our SB Nation White Sox site South Side Sox.
The White Sox extended their lead in the AL Central to 5.5 games over the weekend after sweeping the series against the Tigers. While this division could be anyone’s, the White Sox have stayed consistently in the top spot for most of the season. The team picked up pitching help at the deadline and has refined Luis Castillo, giving him the role of a much-needed veteran starter. Brenton Doyle was also acquired, giving the outfield another good option for what will hopefully be a deep playoff run.
While Colson Montgomery is slowing down, the fresh batch of rookies have stepped up. With Munetaka Murakami back, the offense is picking up. Miguel Vargas is mashing, and Braden Montgomery and Sam Antonacci are hitting for power in clutch situations. Most notably, Chase Meidroth has been a threat at second base, and is also the hottest hitter on the team. He’s batting .333/.423/.622 with three home runs in 12 games so far in August.
There are still rookie errors, but this White Sox team is having quite a magical year, with or without the Pope and some wands from Amazon.
Fun facts
The Cubs have won six straight games at home vs. the White Sox: the last in 2023, then two in 2024 and three a year ago. The win in 2023 snapped a six-game losing streak at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs are 11-2 in all games of the rivalry the past three seasons. They won the first game this year, 10-5, on the South Side on May 15, then lost the second, 8-3.
In the rubber game, the Cubs scored three runs in the ninth to tie the score at 7, then tallied a run in the 10th, only to give up a walk-off two-run homer by Edgar Quero off Ryan Rolison.
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The Cubs lead the regular-season rivalry, 78-77, including 38-38 at home.
Today’s game will be the 606th of all kinds between the teams. The Cubs are 284-309-12, a winning percentage of .479.
The Cubs are 2-4 vs. the Sox in the World Series and 204-228-12 in exhibition games, including 60-91-3 in the City Series from 1903-42, 25-26 in pre-season games in Chicago, 103-89-7 in pre-season games elsewhere and 16-22 in exhibition and benefit games played during the regular season.
In all games in Chicago, the Cubs are 181-220-5, .452.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Probable pitching matchups
Monday: Shōta Imanaga, LHP (8-9, 3.74 ERA, 1.100 WHIP, 4.56 FIP) vs. Luis Castillo, RHP (1-0, 4.09 ERA, 0.909 WHIP, 2.35 FIP in two games with White Sox; 4-9, 4.96 ERA, 1.346 WHIP, 4.34 FIP in 22 games overall)
Tuesday: Kevin Gausman, RHP (1-1, 6.17 ERA, 1.114 WHIP, 3.94 FIP in two starts with Cubs; 6-11, 4.53 ERA, 1.273 WHIP, 3.53 FIP in 25 starts overall) vs. TBD
Wednesday: Clay Holmes, RHP (1-1, 3.38 ERA, 0.938 WHIP, 4.39 FIP in two starts with Cubs; 5-5, 2.56 ERA, 1.074 WHIP, 3.40 FIP in 11 starts overall) vs. TBD
Times & TV channels
Monday: 7:05 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, CHSN/WCIU-Ch. 26 (Sox announcers)
Tuesday: 7:05 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, CHSN/WCIU-Ch. 26 (Sox announcers), TBS (national broadcast outside the Cubs/White Sox shared market territory)
Wednesday: 1:20 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, CHSN/WCIU-Ch. 26 (Sox announcers)
Prediction
The Sox have been good, but are just 28-34 away from Rate Field. Thus I feel pretty confident that the Cubs can take two of three here.
Up next
The Cubs have Thursday off, then travel to Seattle for a three-game series against the Mariners beginning Friday evening.