The Chicago White Sox just locked up their spot in the MLB postseason for the first time since 2021 with a huge Thursday afternoon win against the Kansas City Royals, but get this: Pope Leo XIV, a lifelong Chicago fan, is staying tight-lipped on whether he played any divine role. When asked about his part in the team cracking the American League playoff field this season, His Holiness simply quipped, “No comment,” though he did add, “great things happen in Chicago.” You can practically hear the collective sigh of a city that’s been waiting for this moment.
Is the Pope a Secret White Sox Superfan?
Look, you can’t make this stuff up. Pope Leo XIV, who grew up right there in Chicago, is a known fan of the squad. And it’s not just a casual shout-out either. Just last month, the team pulled off a Pope Leo-White Sox-themed cap giveaway, which is pretty epic in itself. But it gets better: they actually sent one of those hats directly to the Pope, and he was even photographed wearing it! So when Chicago finally punches its ticket to the big dance, and the Pope has that kind of connection, you know fans are going to be wondering if there was some higher power at play. His “No comment” answer just fuels the fire, doesn’t it? It’s the kind of mystique a team needs going into October.
The Fight for AL Central Supremacy Is On
While the White Sox definitely clinched, their exact seeding for the postseason is still totally up in the air, and that’s where the real nail-biter is. Right now, Chicago is holding onto the No. 3 AL wild-card seed with an 82-77 record. But here’s the kicker: they’re only one game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the top spot in the AL Central! Talk about high stakes for the final stretch of the regular season. If Chicago can manage to snag that AL Central lead, they’ll become the No. 3 seed in the AL playoffs and get to host either Cleveland or the Boston Red Sox for the MLB Wild Card round. Can you imagine the energy in Chicago if that happens?
But hold up, there’s another scenario. If the Guardians hold onto the AL Central lead, then the White Sox would remain the No. 3 AL wild-card seed, meaning they’d have to pack their bags and head to Cleveland for the Wild Card round. And don’t forget Boston! The Red Sox have the White Sox edged out for the No. 2 AL wild-card seed thanks to a brutal tiebreaker, having swept Chicago 6-0 this season. Every game truly matters now.
The White Sox wrap up their regular season with a three-game home series against the Colorado Rockies, running from September 25-27. You know every fan in Chicago will be glued to those games, hoping their team can pull off the upset and claim that AL Central lead. It’s going to be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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