The first time both Chicago teams reached the MLB playoffs together
In short: In a rare baseball symmetry, the Cubs and White Sox shared the postseason stage in 2026. This marked only the fourth time in history that both Chicago franchises qualified for the playoffs in the same year, highlighting a historic convergence of two storied rivals.
The 2026 MLB postseason featured a significant milestone for Chicago baseball: the Cubs and White Sox both secured playoff berths. This occurrence is historically infrequent, representing only the fourth time since the inception of the modern era that both teams appeared in the postseason simultaneously, joining previous years like 1906, 2008, and 2020.
The path to this milestone was paved by distinct team trajectories. The White Sox clinched their third berth in seven years (2020–2021), while the Cubs returned for their second consecutive season (2025–2026). This joint appearance provided a unique backdrop for the 2026 tournament, which saw the White Sox face off against the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Series. The White Sox secured a sweep over the Astros, marking their first series win since the 2005 World Series.
The broader 2026 postseason was defined by several historic records and long-standing rivalries. The Los Angeles Dodgers tied the Atlanta Braves for the longest consecutive postseason appearance streak in league history at fourteen years (2013–2026). Meanwhile, the Houston Astros made history as the first team in MLB history to win a division without a winning record, finishing the season with an 81–81 mark. The tournament also saw the Yankees sweep the Red Sox for the first time in their storied rivalry history.
The postseason structure remained consistent, featuring Wild Card Series winners facing top division seeds in the Division Series. Coverage underwent a notable shift as NBC Sports took over the four Wild Card Series from ESPN/ABC, while Fox continued its long-standing tradition of broadcasting the World Series for the 27th consecutive year.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2026 Major League Baseball postseason
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