By Salem Chicago News Staff
KANSAS CITY — September 26, 2026
The Chicago White Sox clinched a 2026 postseason berth Thursday with a 9-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals, ending a five-year playoff drought.
The win secured Chicago’s first trip to October since the team captured the American League Central title in 2021. The White Sox trail the Cleveland Guardians by one game in the division with three games remaining and hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The clinch capped a dramatic two-year reversal for a franchise that set the Modern Era record with 121 losses in 2024 and followed with 102 defeats in 2025. Chicago became the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason after consecutive 100-loss seasons.
“They have belief in themselves, belief in each other,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “That can carry you a long way. It gets you through a lot of different situations.”
Rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami delivered an electric postgame interview on the Chicago Sports Network. Asked to rate his first MLB clubhouse celebration on a scale of one to 10, the 26-year-old from Kumamoto, Japan, had a ready response.
“One hundred!” he declared. “Not 10 — 100!”
The answer worked just as well when Murakami was asked how many champagne bottles he had opened during the locker-room party.
“Hundred!” he replied.
The White Sox entered the season as a team few projected for contention. A 6-13 start did little to change outside expectations. But the roster, built largely through a pipeline of homegrown talent and savvy waiver claims, steadied itself behind 204 team home runs and a culture of daily competitiveness.
Catcher Edgar Quero predicted the turnaround months before the 2025 season.
“Maybe some people think I was crazy, but I’m not,” Quero said. “The guys are proving it right now.”
General manager Chris Getz pointed to the collective nature of the achievement.
“Nothing is sweeter than getting into the playoffs and then continuing the journey with the group of people,” Getz said. “When you do accomplish something, you’re doing it with so many different people and you impact fans and everyone that’s invested in the team.”
Designated hitter Andrew Benintendi and outfielder Miguel Vargas, both holdovers from the 121-loss campaign, helped anchor the turnaround.
“We’ve been chasing this moment for a long time,” Vargas said. “It’s special for us, it’s special for the organization.”
The White Sox open a three-game home series against the Colorado Rockies on Friday as they try to overtake Cleveland for the AL Central crown. A division title would earn Chicago the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye into the AL Division Series. If the Guardians hold on, the White Sox would enter the Wild Card Series beginning Sept. 29.
