Plus: Chicago White Sox complete rare turnaround from 100-loss team to playoff team: ‘It’s been an amazing ride’ • What might a Case Keenum offense look like for the Chicago Bears? Here’s what the numbers suggest.
Sports Friday, September 25, 2026 | | |
| | | | | Good morning, Chicago. It was a moment of serendipity no one could’ve imagined when the baseball season began six months ago. Cubs and White Sox clinchers, dueling champagne parties and thousands of fans celebrating in living rooms, offices and bars from Mount Greenwood to Edison Park. On a crisp fall afternoon in Chicago, the Cubs beat the Marlins 2-1 at Wrigley Field to clinch a postseason spot, while the White Sox did likewise in Kansas City with a 9-1 trouncing of the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Cubs manager Craig Counsell celebrates with his team in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff spot on Sept. 24, 2026, at Wrigley Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) The timing seemed almost preordained. The Sox got the job done at 3:45 p.m. on a short toss from second baseman Chase Medroth to first baseman Munetaka Murakami. Two minutes later, the Cubs finished off their own clinching on a short toss from reliever Ryan Zeferjahn to first baseman Michael Busch. That's Chicago baseball symmetry in an asymmetrical season. “That’s cool,” Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner said of the clockwork clinchings. “It’s a big deal for Chicago. Our games against them this year were incredibly fun, and it’s good for everyone.” | | | | The Chicago Cubs sealed a second straight playoff berth Thursday, clinching a National League wild-card spot. “I feel like I’m living on a dream,” Ryan Rolison said. | | | | | Reaching the playoffs is an incredible turnaround for the Chicago White Sox, who lost 101 games in 2023, a record 121 in 2024 and 102 last season. | | | | | Trying to predict what the Chicago Bears offense might look like with a third-string QB who hasn’t played in the regular season in three years is a nearly impossible task. | | | | | A staple of Chicago Cubs TV broadcasts since Marquee Sports Network launched in 2020, Taylor McGregor is leaving her sideline reporting role to work full time for ESPN. | | | | | The idea of both Chicago teams getting a bite of the postseason seemed laughable before the Wrigley Field ivy turned green. | | | | | Many college football programs have looked to the NFL to fill their GM jobs in an era of uncertain player eligibility, contracts and salary caps. | | | | | Both Chicago baseball teams locked up playoff berths Thursday, but the Cubs and White Sox still don’t know whom or where they’ll play when the postseason begins next week. | | | | | The Chicago Cubs battled through a 10-game losing streak and numerous pitching injuries this season to clinch a second consecutive playoff appearance.
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