Chicago Cubs (29-17) at Chicago White Sox (23-22) | Rate Field | 1:10PM CT
The 2026 Crosstown Classic comes down to a RUBBER MATCH Sunday at Rate Field as the Chicago Cubs (29–17 after losing 8–3 Saturday) face the Chicago White Sox (23–22 after dominating Saturday!) in the series finale. The White Sox hit FIVE HOME RUNS (TWO by Munetaka Murakami!) to even the series 1-1! Colin Rea starts for the Cubs trying to win the series!
This is the rubber match—winner takes the Crosstown Classic!
Game 2 Recap: White Sox Power Surge Evens Series!
Saturday afternoon was a STATEMENT from the White Sox! After losing 10-5 in Game 1, the Southsiders came out SWINGING with FIVE HOME RUNS including TWO by Munetaka Murakami in an 8-3 drubbing of the Cubs!
Key Moments from Game 2:
- Miguel Vargas: 3-run homer in 1st inning (set the tone!)
- Munetaka Murakami: TWO home runs (16th and 17th of season!)
- Davis Martin: DOMINATED (6 IP, 1 ER, 7 Ks!)
- Jameson Taillon: DESTROYED (8 earned runs, chased early!)
- FIVE total homers for White Sox (power display!)
Vargas has been OWNING the Cubs:
In his last 10 games vs Cubs: .361 average, 13 hits, 4 HRs, 7 RBIs!
The series is TIED 1-1 heading into the rubber match! Winner takes the Crosstown Classic!
Cubs: 29-17, Pitching Rotation Concerns Growing
Record: 29-17 (Twelve Games Over .500, Series Tied 1-1)
The Cubs are 29–17 after Saturday’s brutal 8–3 loss where Jameson Taillon got DESTROYED (8 earned runs!). The starting rotation concerns are GROWING after Edward Cabrera struggled in Game 1 (3 ER) and Taillon got hammered in Game 2 (8 ER!).
Cubs Starting Rotation Concerns:
- Edward Cabrera: 3 ER in Game 1 (struggled)
- Jameson Taillon: 8 ER in Game 2 (DESTROYED by White Sox power!)
- Ben Brown has been fantastic moving from bullpen to rotation
- Colin Rea gets the ball Sunday in the rubber match
Cubs Offense:
Exploded for 10 runs and 14 hits in Game 1, but went quiet Saturday (only 3 runs, 1 solo HR by Miguel Amaya). Need to bounce back Sunday!
Colin Rea Today:
- 4-2, 4.68 ERA this season
- Rubber match starter
- Facing White Sox’s hot offense (FIVE homers Saturday!)
The Cubs need Rea to step up and the offense to wake up in the rubber match!
White Sox: 23-22, Offense EXPLODING!
Record: 23-22 (ONE Game Over .500, Series Tied 1-1)
The White Sox are 23–22 after Saturday’s DOMINANT 8–3 win evened the series! The young offense hit FIVE HOME RUNS including TWO by Munetaka Murakami who now has 17 homers (extended his MLB lead!)!
White Sox Power Display:
- Munetaka Murakami: TWO homers Saturday (16th and 17th!)
- Miguel Vargas: 3-run bomb in 1st (OWNS the Cubs!)
- FIVE total homers in Game 2
- 59 home runs total (6th in MLB!)
Davis Martin’s Dominance:
- 6 IP, 1 ER, 7 Ks Saturday (ACE stuff!)
- 6-1, 1.62 ERA (3rd among qualified starters!)
- Only blemish: Miguel Amaya solo HR
The White Sox have the momentum and the power! Win Sunday and take the Crosstown Classic!
Key Matchups at Rate Field
Colin Rea (4.68 ERA) vs White Sox Power (FIVE HRs Saturday!)
Rea has struggled this year (4.68 ERA). The White Sox hit FIVE homers Saturday! Can Rea keep them in the park?
Cubs Offense (10 runs Game 1, 3 runs Game 2) vs White Sox Pitching
The Cubs exploded in Game 1 (10 runs!) but went quiet in Game 2 (3 runs). Which Cubs offense shows up Sunday?
Munetaka Murakami (17 HRs, MLB LEAD!) vs Cubs
Murakami hit TWO homers Saturday (16th and 17th!)! He’s the MLB home run leader! Can the Cubs stop him in the rubber match?
Rubber Match Atmosphere
Series tied 1-1! Winner takes the Crosstown Classic! Rate Field will be ELECTRIC!
What Each Team Needs in the Rubber Match
Cubs Need:
- Colin Rea Gives Quality Innings: Cabrera and Taillon both struggled. Rea needs 6 solid innings!
- Offense Bounces Back: Scored 10 in Game 1, only 3 in Game 2. Wake up Sunday!
- Win the Rubber Match: Take the series and the bragging rights!
White Sox Need:
- Keep the Power Going: FIVE homers Saturday! Keep attacking Cubs pitching!
- Munetaka Murakami Stays Hot: Two bombs Saturday (17 HRs total – MLB lead!). Stay hot!
- Win at Home: Take the series on the South Side and shock the baseball world!
Neutral Prediction: White Sox Win the Rubber Match!
Final Score: White Sox 6, Cubs 4
The White Sox offense stays hot! Munetaka Murakami hits ANOTHER homer (his 18th – extends MLB lead!). Miguel Vargas stays hot! White Sox score 6!
Colin Rea battles but gives up 6 runs. The Cubs score 4 but it’s not enough.
White Sox WIN THE SERIES 2-1! Take the Crosstown Classic at Rate Field!
Two-run win. Cubs fall to 29–18. White Sox improve to 24–22! WIN THE CROSSTOWN CLASSIC!
Why the Rubber Match Matters
Series is TIED 1-1! Cubs won Game 1 10-5. White Sox won Game 2 8-3 (FIVE homers!). Murakami hit TWO bombs Saturday (17 HRs total – MLB lead!). Winner takes the Crosstown Classic!
This is the most competitive Crosstown Classic since 2008! Both teams above .500! Both teams fighting for playoffs! Chicago baseball is ALIVE!
Winner takes the bragging rights! Loser goes home disappointed!
Let’s Go Chicago! Rubber match decides the Crosstown Classic!
The post Crosstown Classic Rubber Match Cubs vs White Sox Prediction May 17: Series Comes Down to Sunday! appeared first on UrbanMatter.
