Chicago Cubs and White Sox Reach the MLB Playoffs

The MLB season is nearing its end, with the last weekend upon us, and both the Cubs and White Sox have secured playoff spots. This marks only the fourth instance in MLB history when both teams made the postseason simultaneously, following 1906, 2008, and 2020.

Cubs Overview

The Cubs will finish as runners-up in the National League Central once again, maintaining their consistent second-place standing for the fourth consecutive year. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers have clinched the division title for the fourth straight time.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell joined his team in celebrating their newest playoff position in the clubhouse at Wrigley Field on September 24, 2026. The Cubs ended the regular season with an 89-73 record, rounding off their season with a 6-2 triumph over the Red Sox in Tampa, Florida.

Wild Card Placement

The Cubs are set as the NL’s No. 5 seed, facing the Padres, who are the fourth seed, in a best-of-three wild-card series starting Tuesday in San Diego. The Phillies claimed the NL’s last wild-card spot and the No. 6 seed after their victory.

Recent Playoff Performances

In 2025, the Cubs entered as the No. 4 seed in the NL, defeating the Padres 2-1 in the wild-card series. However, they were subsequently knocked out by the Brewers with a 3-2 loss in the division series.

Cubs Postseason History

Throughout their 150-season history, the Cubs have achieved 22 playoff appearances, secured eight division titles, four wild-card berths, 17 pennants, and won championships in 1907, 1908, and 2016.

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Achievement

Pete Crow-Armstrong made history on Thursday by becoming the seventh MLB player to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season. He concluded the regular season with impressive figures of 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases. Prior achievers include:

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 enjoyed victory in the clubhouse after securing their playoff spot on September 24, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. The team’s regular-season record stood at 84-78, boosted by a 4-2 victory over the Rockies.

AL Wild Card Placement

The Guardians claimed the AL Central title on Saturday, earning the No. 2 seed with a first-round bye. The White Sox will travel to Houston for a wild-card series against the AL West-winning Astros. The series opens Tuesday.

Recent Playoff Appearances

The White Sox last reached the playoffs in 2021 as the AL Central champions and No. 3 seed, only to lose to the Astros 3-1 in the division series.

White Sox Postseason History

Over their 125 seasons, the White Sox have made 11 playoff appearances, including six division titles, one wild-card berth, six pennants, and have won championships in 1906, 1917, and 2005.

Playoff Schedule

National League

Wild-card Round: Best-of-three series, hosted by higher seed.
No. 5 Cubs at No. 4 Padres: Petco Park, San Diego.
Game 1: Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Game 2: Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Game 3: Thursday, TBD, if necessary
No. 6 Phillies at No. 3 Braves: Truist Park, Atlanta.
Game 1: Tuesday, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Wednesday, 1 p.m.
Game 3: Thursday, TBD, if necessary
Nos. 1 and 2 seeds have byes

Division Series: October 3-10, best of five, 2-2-1 format

No. 1 Brewers vs. Cubs/Padres winner
No. 2 Dodgers vs. Braves/Phillies winner

Championship Series: October 11-20, best of seven, 2-3-2 format

American League
No. 6 White Sox at No. 3 Astros: Daikin Park, Houston.
Game 1: Tuesday, 4 p.m.
Game 2: Wednesday, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Thursday, TBD, if necessary
No. 5 Red Sox at No. 4 Yankees: Yankee Stadium, New York.
Game 1: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Game 2: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Game 3: Thursday, TBD, if necessary
Nos. 1 and 2 seeds have byes