Chicago’s two baseball teams both had a shot to lock up playoff berths Wednesday night, and both came up short.
On the North Side, the Cubs missed out for the second straight night. They had chances to clinch on Tuesday and again Wednesday, but both games against the Miami Marlins ended in losses. Miami beat Chicago 8-2 on Tuesday after a six-run 12th inning, then followed that up with a 3-2 win Wednesday night.
The Cubs needed either a victory or an Arizona loss to Colorado to wrap up an NL wild-card spot on Tuesday or Wednesday. Instead, the Diamondbacks beat the Rockies on both nights, leaving Chicago still waiting.
Cubs pitcher Ryan Rolison said the team knows exactly what’s on the line.
"It's frustrating. Obviously, we try to block out the noise as much as we can and keep the noise outside the clubhouse, and control the things we can control to win our game," Cubs pitcher Ryan Rolison said Wednesday night. "Obviously, we haven't done that the past two nights, and it kind of puts it in the other team's hands, but we'll come back tomorrow and be ready to go."
The Cubs get another crack at it Thursday, when they face the Diamondbacks again at 1:20 p.m. at Wrigley Field.
The White Sox were in the same boat on the South Side, with a chance to clinch their own postseason berth Wednesday night. Instead, they fell 5-4 to the Kansas City Royals.
A win over Kansas City, paired with a Texas Rangers loss to the New York Mets, would have delivered the White Sox their first playoff berth since 2021. But Maikel Garcia and the Royals spoiled that path.
Chicago’s other club still has one more chance. The White Sox can get in if they win their away game against the Royals Thursday night and the Rangers lose.
And as for the city’s most famous White Sox fan, there’s been no public comment. Pope Leo XIV’s X account has stayed focused on matters of broader global concern. Still, like plenty of South Siders, the pope probably has the team in his prayers.
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