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Chicago Cubs (28-16) at Chicago White Sox (22-21) | Rate Field | 6:40 PM CT \/ 7:40 PM ET<\/strong><\/p>\n The 2026 Crosstown Classic<\/strong> kicks off Friday night at Rate Field as the Chicago Cubs<\/strong> (28\u201316, first in NL Central) face the Chicago White Sox<\/strong> (22\u201321, on a FIVE-game winning streak!) in one of the most anticipated editions of this rivalry in YEARS! Both teams are COMPETITIVE for the first time since 2016! Jameson Taillon<\/strong> starts for the Cubs against Davis Martin<\/strong> (5-1, 1.62 ERA<\/strong> – 3rd among qualified starters!).<\/p>\n This is Game 1 of the Crosstown Classic\u2014Chicago baseball hasn’t felt this alive in years!<\/p>\n For the first time in nearly a decade, BOTH Chicago teams enter the Crosstown Classic with something real to play for. The Cubs (28\u201316) have the best start in franchise history through 44 games<\/strong> and are looking like legitimate World Series contenders. The White Sox (22\u201321) have defied ALL expectations after three straight 100-loss seasons (including a 121-loss 2024) and reached .500 this week<\/strong> for the first time this late in a season since 2022!<\/p>\n Cubs’ Electric Start:<\/strong><\/p>\n White Sox’s Shocking Turnaround:<\/strong><\/p>\n Record: 28-16 (Twelve Games Over .500, Ended Five-Game Losing Streak!)<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cubs are 28\u201316 after ENDING their five-game losing streak<\/strong> with a thrilling comeback win against the Braves in the series finale. After back-to-back 10-game win streaks and 15 straight at Wrigley, they hit a rough patch (losing 5 straight) but bounced back Thursday night!<\/p>\n Cubs Key Stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n Jameson Taillon Tonight:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cubs have the talent, the pitching, and the best record in Chicago baseball. Time to prove it in the Crosstown Classic!<\/p>\n Record: 22-21 (ONE Game Over .500, FIVE-Game Win Streak!)<\/strong><\/p>\n The White Sox are 22\u201321 on a FIVE-GAME WIN STREAK<\/strong> after reaching .500 this week<\/strong> for the first time this late in a season since 2022! After losing 121 games in 2024 and 99 in 2025, this team has shocked EVERYONE with their competitiveness!<\/p>\n White Sox Key Stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n Davis Martin Tonight:<\/strong><\/p>\n The White Sox have the momentum, the power, and Davis Martin on the mound. This is their chance to prove they belong!<\/p>\n Jameson Taillon (3.94 ERA) vs Davis Martin (1.62 ERA!)<\/strong> Cubs Offense (52 HRs) vs White Sox Power (56 HRs)<\/strong> Munetaka Murakami (15 HRs, 3rd in MLB!) vs Cubs Pitching<\/strong> Rivalry Atmosphere<\/strong> BOTH TEAMS ARE GOOD:<\/strong> FREE OVER-THE-AIR TV:<\/strong> Davis Martin vs Cubs:<\/strong> Munetaka Murakami’s Breakout:<\/strong> Rivalry Energy:<\/strong> Final Score: White Sox 4, Cubs 3<\/strong><\/p>\n Davis Martin DOMINATES at home\u20147 innings, 3 runs. His elite 1.62 ERA speaks for itself!<\/p>\n Munetaka Murakami hits a 2-run homer for the White Sox! Andrew Benintendi drives in runs! White Sox score 4 at Rate Field!<\/p>\n The Cubs score 3 but Martin’s brilliance and the White Sox momentum carries the day! White Sox win Game 1!<\/p>\n One-run win. White Sox improve to 23\u201321! SIX-GAME WIN STREAK!<\/strong> Cubs fall to 28\u201317 but still lead NL Central!<\/p>\n The Cubs are 28\u201316 (best team in Chicago!) but just ended a five-game losing streak. The White Sox are 22\u201321 on a FIVE-GAME WIN STREAK and have SHOCKED the baseball world! Davis Martin (1.62 ERA – 3rd among qualified starters!) starts against Jameson Taillon!<\/p>\n This is the most anticipated Crosstown Classic in YEARS because BOTH TEAMS ARE COMPETITIVE! The Cubs are World Series contenders! The White Sox have defied expectations!<\/p>\n Chicago baseball is ALIVE again!<\/strong><\/p>\n Let’s Go Chicago! Crosstown Classic 2026 starts NOW!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chicago Cubs (28-16) at Chicago White Sox (22-21) | Rate Field | 6:40 PM CT \/ 7:40 PM ET The 2026 Crosstown Classic kicks off Friday night…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2279,"featured_media":418009,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16757],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-418008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\nWhy This Crosstown Classic Matters<\/h2>\n
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Cubs Season: 28-16, Bouncing Back Strong<\/h2>\n
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White Sox Season: 22-21, FIVE-Game Win Streak!<\/h2>\n
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Key Matchups at Rate Field<\/h2>\n
\nMartin has been ELITE this season (3rd-best ERA among qualified starters!). Taillon is solid but Martin has the advantage!<\/p>\n
\nBOTH TEAMS have POWER! 52 homers for Cubs (6th in MLB), 56 for White Sox (also 6th in MLB)! This could be a SLUGFEST!<\/p>\n
\nMurakami has been the WHITE SOX BREAKOUT STAR! Tied for 3rd in MLB with 15 homers! Can the Cubs contain him?<\/p>\n
\nFirst Crosstown Classic where BOTH teams are competitive since 2016! Rate Field will be ELECTRIC!<\/p>\nWhat Makes This Crosstown Classic Special<\/h2>\n
\nFor the first time since the Cubs’ 2016 championship run, BOTH Chicago teams enter the Crosstown Classic with winning records and playoff aspirations! The Cubs (28-16) are legitimate World Series contenders. The White Sox (22-21) have defied expectations and reached .500!<\/p>\n
\nAll three games air on WCIU-TV (The U)<\/strong> – NO CABLE REQUIRED! First time in years Chicago baseball fans can watch WITHOUT a cable subscription!<\/p>\n
\nMartin’s 1.62 ERA is 3rd-best among qualified starters in MLB!<\/strong> He’s been the White Sox ACE all season!<\/p>\n
\nThe Japanese slugger has 15 homers (TIED FOR 3RD IN MLB!) and has become one of baseball’s breakout stars!<\/p>\n
\nAfter years of the Cubs dominating (won 8 straight from 2023-2025), the White Sox are FINALLY competitive again! The rivalry feels ALIVE!<\/p>\nNeutral Prediction: White Sox Win Game 1!<\/h2>\n
Why Friday Night Matters<\/h2>\n