The Cubs swept the White Sox at Wrigley Field back in May, outscoring them 26-8.
Since then, the Cubs are 32-24 and the Sox are 24-33.
For more on the White Sox, here’s Chrystal O’Keefe, managing editor of our SB Nation White Sox site South Side Sox.
The White Sox returned from the All-Star Break as an entirely different team. They swept the Pirates while putting up 27 runs during the three-game series, 20 more than Pittsburgh could muster up. Normally I would say “it’s just the Pirates,” but the White Sox continued
ADto play well in Tampa Bay (and the Pirates immediately swept the Tigers after the White Sox left town). Now with back-to-back series wins on the road, and an explosion of runs, the White Sox are finally piecing together a hot streak.
In those two series, I’ve caught a few bright spots. First — the vets are producing again! Luis Robert Jr. and Miguel Vargas have had a resurgence and have been incredible mentors. Second — the bullpen has been consistent in clutch situations. Finally – the kids have been outstanding! Colson Montgomery, who went back to basics in Arizona to fix his mechanics, is finally up in Chicago and mashing. His baseball IQ is akin to someone who has been playing for several years at the highest level. The White Sox are also benefiting from Chase Meidroth, Edgar Quero, Kyle Teel, and Brooks Baldwin, who have adjusted to the demands of playing in the majors.
As far as pitching goes in this series, Friday night will be the best night to watch. Adrian Houser has had a great season on the South Side, owning an ERA of just 1.89 and a 5-2 record. He has easily been the ace of the team. Aaron Civale and Sean Burke will start for the other two games this series, and both have inflated ERAs and losing records. The Cubs will still likely win the series, but it might not be as simple this time around.
Fun facts
This is the last of five consecutive series, seven of eight and eight of 10 in which the Cubs have played an American League team.After this series, they will visit Milwaukee, then return home to host another AL club, the Orioles.
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Following their three-game sweep of the White Sox at Wrigley Field in May, the Cubs are 75-74 in the regular-season intracity games.
Cubs-Sox is the second-most closely contested of the interleague series between geographic or historic rivals. The .503 winning percentage of the series-leading Cubs is just behind the .500 of the Athletics and Giants (77-77).
The percentages of the other such series, in ascending order:
.517: Angels vs. Dodgers (78-73)
.522: Twins vs. Brewers (72-66)
.530: Red Sox vs. Braves (53-47)
.546: Guardians vs. Reds (77-64)
.536: Yankees vs. Mets (83-69)
.538: Orioles vs. Nationals (64-55)
.571: Rays vs. Marlins (84-63)
.590: Cardinals vs. Royals (79-55)
The Twins-Brewers data excludes 1997, the first season of interleague play, when both were in the American League.
The Rangers were .583 (42-30) vs. the Astros before Houston joined Texas in the AL.
(Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
Probable pitching matchups
Friday: Shōta Imanaga, LHP (7-3, 2.40 ERA, 0.920 WHIP, 4.31 FIP) vs. Adrian Houser, RHP (5-2, 1.89 ERA, 1.226 WHIP, 3.01 FIP)
Saturday: Cade Horton, RHP (3-3, 4.04 ERA, 1.364 WHIP, 4.30 FIP) vs. Aaron Civale, RHP (2-6, 4.76 ERA, 1.398 WHIP, 5.15 FIP overall; 1-4, 4.66 ERA, 1.418 WHIP, 4.92 FIP with White Sox)
Sunday: TBD vs. Sean Burke, RHP (4-8, 4.19 ERA, 1.416 WHIP, 5.01 FIP)
Here is Craig Counsell’s plan for Sunday (Bluesky link):
Matthew Boyd will start in Brewers series, which is why his turn on Sunday is TBA as he gets lined up for big series. Sunday at WSox will be similar to what Cubs did Monday with opener followed by Brown. Doesn’t necessarily mean Brown is again the bulk guy, Flexen could be option too pending usage.
— Meghan Montemurro (@mmontemurro.bsky.social) 2025-07-23T16:55:27.230Z
Times & TV channels
Friday: 6:40 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, Chicago Sports Network/WCIU-Ch. 26 (Sox announcers)
Saturday: 6:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, Chicago Sports Network/WCIU-Ch. 26 (Sox announcers)
Sunday: 1:10 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network, Chicago Sports Network/WCIU-Ch. 26 (Sox announcers)
The Sox announced Wednesday that all three of their broadcasts this weekend will be simulcast over-the-air on Ch. 26. So if you have cut the cord in the Chicago metro area, you should be able to watch these games OTA.
Prediction
Finally! A series where the Cubs don’t have to face a left-handed starter. As you know, the Cubs record vs. LH starters is pretty bad (14-17).
As Chrystal O’Keefe noted, the Sox have been playing well lately. As you also are certainly aware, the Cubs have not.
Still, the Cubs should be able to take two of three here, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a potential sweep.
Up next
The Cubs bus up to Milwaukee for a three-game series against the Brewers beginning Monday evening.
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