The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox are two of the most storied franchises in MLB.
They both know what it’s like to win a World Series, even recently, but they both have had to endure their fair share of losses throughout the years.
That’s why a World Series between the two organizations would be special for the city of Chicago: there would be too many things at stake.
These are the three most exciting storylines about an all-Chicago World Series.
3. Who Is The Best In Town?
The Crosstown Classic in the World Series would be the ultimate MLB showdown, and will help establish who the best is in town.
There is only one precedent of a postseason series between the two teams, when the White Sox won the 1906 World Series four games to two.
That was more than 100 years ago, and the rivalry could use a spicy World Series in 2021.
Between the two teams, they have six World Series titles, three each, but the Cubs have been in the center of the postseason action more often.
The White Sox dominate the regular season series 65-63, though.
This year, both teams are competitive: the White Sox are leading their division and the Cubs are tied for the lead in theirs.
A World Series between the two would be extremely exciting for the city of Chicago, and would help determine which part of the city can brag about winning a championship in front of their rivals: the North Siders or the South Siders.
2. ‘The Trade’
Eloy Jimenez, currently injured, is one of the White Sox’s most important contributors.
Last year, he batted .296 and hit 14 homers in the shortened MLB season.
Additionally, Dylan Cease has matured and evolved enough to be a mainstay in the White Sox’s rotation.
He looks poised and composed this year, and has a 3.81 ERA while striking out a lot more batters than last year.
Both players came to the White Sox in the same trade, in 2017, when they got them by surrendering pitcher Jose Quintana to the Cubs.
Quintana hasn’t done much since the trade and is currently a member of the Los Angeles Angels, while Cease and Jimenez are established young stars.
The Quintana for Eloy/Cease trade is by far the worst trade in Cubs history. https://t.co/gH1UkyK8nx
— Kenny 🐝 (@KennyNewto) June 19, 2019
That particular trade has been the object of mockery from White Sox fans towards Cubs fans for years, especially since 2020 when Jimenez exploded.
If the Cubs win an all-Chicago World Series, they won’t have to deal with those chants anymore, but if they lose, fans may hear them forever.
1. Who Has The Best Shortstop In The City?
Both Chicago teams have very good shortstops.
The White Sox have former batting champion Tim Anderson, while the Cubs have the powerful and speedy Javier Baez in their lineup.
Both have been called overrated by the other fanbase, and both have at least one plus tool.
An all-Chicago showdown in the World Series may present, in addition to all the usual ingredients, an opportunity for Baez and Anderson to prove who can contribute more to their team’s respective success.
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Let's dive a little deeper into the El Mago vs. Tim Anderson debate.
Both played the 2020 season as 27-yr olds
Both play shortstop in Chicago
Both have finished top-7 in MVP voting (2nd place Baez).Career BA:
Anderson – .281
Baez – .264— Jeff (@JeffT_10) December 8, 2020
Fans will surely enjoy their at-bats with a little extra passion knowing they can brag about their star shortstop to the other team.
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