The first Chicago crosstown showdown of the season is here, and it's arriving earlier than ever. The Cubs and White Sox are set to renew their historic rivalry, and there's plenty of reason to pay attention—especially if you're a fan of underdog stories.
The White Sox are above .500 this late in the season for the first time since 2022. That alone should make the Cubs take notice. While Chicago's South Siders may not be a powerhouse, they've shown they're no longer the pushovers of recent years. Their young core has sparked a surprising start, currently sitting in second place in the American League Central, just one game back from the top. They've stayed competitive in close games and shown a knack for late-inning comebacks—a stark contrast to last season when a 5-1 deficit in the third inning would've felt like game over. Now, with bats like Munetaka Murakami, Colson Montgomery, and Miguel Vargas, the White Sox can flip the script in a hurry.
On the mound, the Cubs will face a trio of right-handers: Sean Burke (3.68 ERA), ace Davis Martin (1.62 ERA), and veteran Erick Fedde (3.77 ERA). The White Sox bullpen has been shaky but appears to be finding its rhythm as the season progresses. Beyond the big-name sluggers, keep an eye on unsung heroes like Chase Meidroth, Derek Hill—whose clutch late-inning heroics have become a trademark—and rookie catcher Drew Romo.
This rivalry has been remarkably even over the years. The Cubs and White Sox have played the most evenly divided interleague matchup among geographic rivals, with the Cubs holding a slim 77-75 edge in the all-time series. Interestingly, the Cubs are 39-37 on the South Side, while each team has won 38 games at Wrigley Field. But recent history favors the North Siders: the Cubs have dominated the past three seasons, winning 11 of 13 games, including both visits to the South Side in 2023 and 2024, and two of three at Wrigley last year.
Today's game marks the 603rd meeting between these two clubs in all competitions. The Cubs trail 283-307-12 overall (.480 winning percentage). They're also 2-4 against the Sox in the World Series and 204-228-12 in exhibition games, including a 60-91-3 record in the historic City Series.
Whether you're repping your Cubs gear or showing South Side pride, this series is a must-watch. The energy of crosstown baseball is unmatched—and this early-season clash could set the tone for the rest of the year.