Cubs and White Sox Midseason Update: Playoff Hopes and Challenges

Cubs Begin Second Half in Strong Position Despite Injuries

The Chicago Cubs find themselves in a promising position as they kick off the second half of the MLB season. Despite battling a series of injuries, the Cubs secured a playoff spot. They aim to maintain this momentum with a six-game homestand starting Friday against the Minnesota Twins. This marks the start of a challenging two-week period featuring road games against division rivals Pittsburgh and St. Louis, followed by home games against the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox enter their post-All-Star break schedule tied for the top spot in the American League Central with the Cleveland Guardians. Their journey resumes in Toronto on Friday. Tribune baseball writers will provide weekly updates every Friday throughout the regular season. Consider subscribing to the Chicago Tribune for comprehensive baseball coverage, which includes the Cubs Insider and White Sox Insider newsletters.

Cubs Chase NL Central Leaders Milwaukee Brewers

The Cubs ended the first half with a strong performance, winning five out of their last seven games. This result put them just five games behind the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers. An upcoming series at Wrigley Field against the Brewers from August 31 to September 3 presents an opportunity to close the gap. Currently, the Cubs lead the National League wild card race by a half-game over the Philadelphia Phillies, holding a tiebreaker after sweeping the season series.

The Cubs have not clinched the division during a non-COVID season since 2017. Winning their division this year would mean starting the postseason in the division series. Pete Crow-Armstrong emphasized the importance of reaching the playoffs, saying, “Having a bit of a shorter path to the World Series is great. I think just making the playoffs, anything can happen if you get hot at the right time.” Injuries, particularly among pitchers, have plagued the team. However, key players like Jameson Taillon could soon return, providing much-needed reinforcement.

Right-hander Edward Cabrera may also return within the next four weeks, depending on his recovery. Ben Brown and closer Daniel Palencia have less certain timelines, while Matt Shaw is testing his recovery from a hand sprain. Crow-Armstrong expressed confidence in the team’s depth despite injury challenges: “We have a team that’s built to play in the playoffs, even with all the injuries.”

White Sox Focus on Building on a Strong First Half

Chicago White Sox center fielder Tristan Peters described the first half of the season as “awesome.” The team, tied with the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the AL Central, aims to surpass preseason expectations. Peters himself enjoyed significant success, earning All-Star honors with a .301 batting average. His defensive skills and consistent play have been key contributions.

Manager Will Venable commended Peters for his dedication and performance, saying, “Just the way he grinds, he really consistently puts it out there.” The White Sox plan to capitalize on their current position, looking to play even better in the latter half of the season.

2027 MLB Season Schedule Announced

Major League Baseball announced the start of the 2027 season on March 24, the earliest opener in history. On March 25, the Cubs will host the Guardians at Wrigley Field. A possible lockout and the need for a new collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the players may affect the schedule.

Wrigley Field will host the All-Star festivities, including the Home Run Derby on July 12 and the All-Star Game on July 13. The Cubs will travel early in the season, facing teams like the Angels and Athletics, and the Dodgers and Diamondbacks in April. One of their challenging stretches includes a 10-game trip to Colorado, San Diego, and San Francisco in June.

The White Sox will open their 2027 season on the road against the Detroit Tigers. Their home opener is scheduled for April 1 against the Brewers. Unique portions of their schedule include an April trip to the Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers. The White Sox will conclude their regular season in late September against the Padres.

Weekly Look Ahead

Cubs

This week, the Cubs will host the Twins and Tigers. They need strong performances from starting pitchers, given their current standing of 23rd in innings pitched since June 1. While maintaining a 4.18 ERA during this period, the Cubs aim to improve as they prepare to unveil the Champions Gate at Gallagher Way on Saturday. Former pitcher Kyle Hendricks will deliver a ceremonial first pitch, and members of the 2016 World Series team will participate in the seventh-inning stretch.

White Sox

The White Sox resume play against the Blue Jays, with Anthony Kay as their probable starter. Kay has a 4.23 ERA for the season, and the team has exceeded external expectations. Davis Martin and Sean Burke are scheduled to start against the Blue Jays on Saturday and Sunday. Burke’s impressive recent performance includes a 1.69 ERA in his last five starts. Erick Fedde and Noah Schultz are expected to pitch in the following series against the Texas Rangers.