In one of the feel-good stories of 2026, the Chicago White Sox have clinched a playoff berth. They officially did so by virtue of a win on Thursday afternoon in Kansas City, joining an American League bracket that already includes the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox. The White Sox built up a 5 ½-game lead in the AL Central in August and still have a shot to win the division, but for now, the bare minimum is a wild-card spot.
This playoff berth comes after three straight 100-loss seasons. Not only was it the first time in franchise history to see such lows -- they'd never even had two 100-loss seasons in a row prior to this three-season death march -- but they set the modern MLB record with 121 losses in 2024. They chopped it down to 102 last season and now they'll be in the playoffs with a winning record.
It's a remarkable turnaround for general manager Chris Getz, manager Will Venable and the players. The White Sox last made the playoffs in 2021, when they were bounced by the Astros in the ALDS. They lost in the Wild Card Series in 2020.
This will mark just their fourth playoff berth since the magical 2005 World Series championship run. In fact, they haven't won a playoff series since that season. Should the White Sox win the AL Central, they'll get a bye to the ALDS and await the winner of the No. 3 vs.
If they fail to secure the Central, they'll be the six seed and visit the AL West champion in the WCS. Do they have staying power? Here are some reasons they could advance.
There are ups and downs with this group and that's why instead of ranking at the very top, the White Sox are sixth in home runs, sixth in runs and 10th in the majors in OPS. Because they are a low-average (25th), high-strikeout (fifth most), power-fueled outfit. Power plays in the playoffs, though.
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