Chicago teams stake claims atop divisions
White Sox, Cubs aim for playoff magic
CHICAGO — Powered by Jose Abreu’s steady presence, a White Sox revival is roaring on the South Side.
On the North Side, Yu Darvish is pitching like an ace again, and the Cubs are eyeing another October run.
Chicago’s major league teams are linked by more than geography. They also share first place.
“Every time we take the field, we feel invincible,” White Sox rookie Luis Robert said through a translator.
The playoff-bound White Sox have won 24 of 32 to rise to the top of the American League Central. They have a magic number of four for clinching their first division title since their most recent postseason appearance in 2008.
Under first-year manager David Ross, the Cubs soared to a 13-3 start and then faltered before picking up their play. They are closing in on their first National League Central title since 2017.
Chicago’s teams have the year’s lone no-hitters, Lucas Giolito for the White Sox and Alec Mills for the Cubs, and are making a play for individual honors. Abreu and shortstop Tim Anderson are among the AL MVP award favorites, and Robert is in the AL Rookie of the Year mix. Darvish is bidding for his first Cy Young Award.
Since the White Sox beat the Cubs in the 1906 World Series, the lone other time each team reached the playoffs in the same year was in 2008, when they both lost in the division series.
“I didn’t realize it was since ’08 since they made the playoffs the last time,” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. “They have a team that’s very similar to us in 2015 that started off with a lot of talent and has found ways to win, and now they’re a powerhouse team. Over here, we have guys that have won and know what the playoffs are like.”
It looked as if the Cubs’ window might have closed after they faded last September and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Facing financial constraints, president Theo Epstein entertained trade possibilities for much of the winter before staying with largely the same group — with Ross replacing Joe Maddon in the dugout.
The Cubs appear to have benefited from the new voice at manager. Well, a new old voice, after Ross helped them win the World Series in 2016. Ian Happ has helped solidify the lineup, and Jason Heyward has put together his best year with the team.
“We’re happy where we’re at,” Rizzo said, “and we’re looking forward to the postseason.”
Same for the White Sox, who snapped a string of seven straight losing seasons. And it appears they are just getting started.
Anderson, 27, is in the mix for his second straight AL batting title. Robert, sweet-swinging Eloy Jimenez and promising infielder Nick Madrigal are 23. Yoan Moncada, who hit .315 with 25 homers last year, turned 25 in May.
“These guys are very talented, and they’re playing with confidence,” manager Rick Renteria said. “They’re still growing. They’re still learning.”