MLB playoff race heats up
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The gist
The White Sox lead the AL Central at 75-70 with 17 games left.
Their playoff bid after consecutive 100-loss seasons is the race's biggest storyline.
Background
The regular season is entering its final weeks, and playoff races are heating up across baseball, with October getting closer. In the American League, every division race is within four games, and the chase for the final AL wild-card spot is the most muddled race in baseball. The White Sox, who lost 100 or more games in three straight seasons, have become the first team in MLB history to win more than 70 games after three consecutive 100-loss seasons, and they are trying to become the first team to make the playoffs after consecutive 100-loss seasons.
How it unfolded
- Sep 6, 2026The Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins at Rate Field in Chicago, with Kyle Teel hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning.
- Sep 7, 2026Entering Labor Day, the AL Central standings were White Sox 75-68 and Cleveland Guardians 73-71 (2.5 games back).
- Sep 9, 2026The White Sox lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Rate Field; Tristan Peters failed to make a diving catch in the sixth inning.
- Sep 10, 2026With 17 games left, the AL Central stood at White Sox 75-70 and Guardians 74-73 (2 games back); the White Sox had lost seven of their last 10, including their last two against the Pirates, but still led the division and held an edge for a bye through the Wild Card Series.
- Sep 10, 2026Aaron Judge was activated from the 60-day injured list ahead of a Tuesday return, back in the Yankees lineup after a 99-day rib injury absence; Shohei Ohtani said he is 'Most Likely' done pitching this year and was going on the IL.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- MLB.com's Sarah Langs noted the White Sox are the first team in MLB history to win more than 70 games after three consecutive 100-loss seasons, and are looking to become the first to make the playoffs after consecutive 100-loss seasons.
- Caution
- The White Sox had lost seven of their last 10 games, including their last two against the Pirates, even as they held the division lead.
- Official
- Shohei Ohtani said he is 'Most Likely' done pitching this year and was going on the IL.
Still unverified
The Guardians, at just two games over .500, currently hold the final AL wild-card spot, but it's described as a tenuous position. The Brewers and Dodgers seem headed to division titles in the NL Central and NL West, respectively.