Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable was already looking ahead just minutes after his team won its first playoff series in 21 years by sweeping the Houston Astros in their AL Wild Card Series.

Pope Leo XIV is a White Sox fan dating to his days growing up in Chicago. He was known as Robert Prevost or Father Bob when he went to the World Series opener 21 years ago, a 5-3 White Sox victory over the Astros.

This marks the first time since 2020 that both Chicago teams made the postseason. Both teams will play their best-of-three Wild Card Series on the road starting Tuesday with the Cubs taking on the Padres in San Diego and the White Sox facing the Astros in Houston.

Both of Chicago’s baseball teams are heading to the playoffs, with the Cubs and Sox each clinching their spots Thursday afternoon.

Pete Crow-Armstrong joined the 40-40 club Thursday when the Chicago Cubs star stole his 40th base of the season Thursday against Miami Marlins.

Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman was taken to the hospital for tests after being struck in the face by a foul ball while standing in front of the on-deck circle.

As Pete Crow-Armstrong came up with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, the Wrigley Field crowd chanted “M-V-Pete! M-V-Pete!“ — and not for the first time Wednesday night.

For only the second time in 18 years, Chicago’s rival baseball teams will face off in a Crosstown Classic with both squads boasting winning records.

Tim Anderson, a two-time All-Star shortstop who won the 2019 AL batting title with the Chicago White Sox, has decided to retire after spending 10 years in the major leagues.

After his team got rained out two days in a row, Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell sounded a little miffed about the second one.

Pete Crow-Armstrong put his name in the Chicago Cubs’ record book next to Hall of Fame slugger Hack Wilson — and then nearly ruined the celebration at Wrigley Field.

Baseball owners hadn’t proposed a firm cap since 1994. Their effort prompted a 7 1/2-month strike that forced the cancellation of the World Series for the first time in 90 years.

The Chicago White Sox home opener scheduled for Thursday was postponed due to weather. Thunderstorms are in the forecast for most of Thursday afternoon.

Murakami signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox in December after hitting 246 homers over eight seasons with the Yakult Swallows of Japan’s Central League — including a 56-homer season in 2022.

Left-hander Shota Imanaga became eligible for free agency when the Chicago Cubs declined an option to keep his contract by guaranteeing $57 million for the 2026-28 seasons and he turned down a $15.25 million option for 2026.

Quinn Priester grew up in the Chicago area and was in Wrigley Field’s stands for Game 5 of the 2016 World Series. The 25-year-old right-hander will be back at Wrigley on Wednesday as he continues his breakthrough season by trying to pitch the Brewers into the NL Championship Series.