Chicago Cubs and White Sox Gear Up for Playoff Push

The MLB season has reached its final stretch, and both the Chicago Cubs and White Sox are battling for playoff spots. Each team is vying for success as the postseason approaches.

Cubs Overview

The Chicago Cubs are set to finish second in the National League Central for four straight years, as the Milwaukee Brewers have secured the division title. As of Sunday, September 20, 2026, the Cubs hold a record of 87-69.

Key Points:

• Magic number for a wild-card spot is 1 (combination of both Cubs wins and Arizona Diamondbacks losses).
• The Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-1 on Sunday, improving their standings.
• Six games remain in the regular season.
• The Cubs hold a half-game lead over the San Diego Padres for the top wild card spot and lead the Philadelphia Phillies by one game.
• The Diamondbacks trail by 4½ games and are facing the Yankees in Phoenix.

The Cubs last appeared in the playoffs in 2025 as the No. 4 seed and advanced past the Padres before falling to the Brewers.

Postseason History

The Cubs have made 22 playoff appearances over 150 seasons. Their achievements include eight division titles, four wild-card berths, 17 pennants, and three championships won in 1907, 1908, and 2016.

Player Highlight

Pete Crow-Armstrong is vying to join an exclusive group of MLB players who achieved 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season. Currently, he’s at 45 home runs and 38 stolen bases.

Previous players to accomplish this feat:

• José Canseco, Athletics, 1988 – 42 HR, 40 SB
• Barry Bonds, Giants, 1996 – 42 HR, 40 SB
• Alex Rodriguez, Mariners, 1998 – 42 HR, 46 SB
• Alfonso Soriano, Nationals, 2006 – 46 HR, 41 SB
• Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves, 2023 – 41 HR, 73 SB
• Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers, 2024 – 54 HR, 59 SB

White Sox Overview

The White Sox are embroiled in a tight competition with the Cleveland Guardians for the top spot in the American League Central. Winning against the Detroit Tigers 3-1 on Saturday has kept them in the race with a 79-76 record.

Key Points:

• Magic number for a wild-card spot is 5 (combination of both Sox wins and losses by the Houston Astros/Toronto Blue Jays).
• Seven games remain in the regular season.
• The White Sox trail the Guardians by just one game. If tied at season’s end, the Sox will claim the division title due to their tiebreaker advantage.
• Currently holding the third wild-card spot, they lead the Astros by 2½ games and are three games ahead of the Blue Jays.
• While the Sox have the tiebreaker advantage over Toronto, the Astros hold it over the Sox.

The White Sox last made the playoffs in 2021 as AL Central champions but were defeated by the Astros.

Postseason History

The team has reached the playoffs 11 times in 125 seasons, securing six division titles, a lone wild-card berth, six pennants, and three championships in 1906, 1917, and 2005.

Playoff Format

Wild-card Round (Sept. 29-Oct. 1)

All games are best of three:

• No. 5 seed at No. 4 seed
• No. 6 seed at No. 3 seed
• Nos. 1 and 2 seeds receive byes.

Division Series (Oct. 3-10)

Format: Best of five, 2-2-1

• No. 1 seed vs. winner of No. 4/5
• No. 2 seed vs. winner of No. 3/6

League Championship Series (Oct. 11-20)

Format: Best of seven, 2-3-2

World Series (Oct. 23-31)

Format: Best of seven, 2-3-2