The long journey of the Major League Baseball season has reached a critical point as September brings an intense playoff pursuit. The Chicago Cubs and White Sox are actively competing for postseason positions.
Cubs Overview
The Cubs are set for a strong finish in National League Central, targeting second place for the fourth year in a row. The Milwaukee Brewers lead the division, likely securing their fourth consecutive championship.
Currently, the Cubs hold a record of 83-67. Their magic number to secure a wild-card spot is nine, while their elimination number for the division title is two. In their recent outing, the Cubs experienced a narrow 4-3 defeat against the Pittsburgh Pirates, maintaining their position 10 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central.
The Cubs currently lead the NL wild card standings, sharing the top spot with the Philadelphia Phillies, trailing the San Diego Padres by 1.5 games. The Arizona Diamondbacks are also contenders, sitting 2.5 games behind the Padres.
Their last postseason appearance in 2025 saw them as the No. 4 seed in the NL, securing the top wild card. They triumphed over the Padres 2-1 in the wild-card series, eventually losing to the Brewers 3-2 in the division series. Overall, the Cubs have made it to the postseason 22 times in 150 seasons, earning eight division titles, four wild-card berths, 17 pennants, and three championships in 1907, 1908, and 2016.
Pete Crow-Armstrong is nearing a rare MLB feat of 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season, with 41 home runs and 36 stolen bases to date. Only six players have achieved a 40-40 record:
- José Canseco, Athletics, 1988: 42 home runs, 40 stolen bases
- Barry Bonds, Giants, 1996: 42-40
- Alex Rodriguez, Mariners, 1998: 42-46
- Alfonso Soriano, Nationals, 2006: 46-41
- Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves, 2023: 41-73
- Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers, 2024: 54-59
White Sox Overview
The White Sox have engaged in a close rivalry with the Cleveland Guardians, seeking the American League Central title. With a record of 76-73, the Sox aim for a stunning worst-to-first achievement, coming from more than 100 losses in each of the past three seasons. They hold a slight lead of half a game ahead of the Guardians.
The White Sox’s magic number to clinch the AL Central title stands at 13. They recently faced a 3-1 defeat against the St. Louis Cardinals. As they approach the end of the season, they have 13 games remaining.
The team last reached the playoffs as Central champions and secured the No. 3 seed in the AL in 2021. During that season, they faced the Astros and lost 3-1 in the division series. Historically, the White Sox have entered the postseason 11 times during 125 seasons, securing six division titles, one wild-card berth, six pennants, and winning championships in 1906, 1917, and 2005.
Playoff Format
The MLB playoffs include several rounds. The wild-card round occurs from September 29 to October 1, with a best-of-three series hosted by the higher seed. The division series, held from October 3 to 10, follows a best-of-five format. The League Championship Series, taking place from October 11 to 20, is a best-of-seven series.
The World Series runs from October 23 to 31, also as a best-of-seven series.
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