Windy City Wrap Up: Chicago baseball’s postseason ultimately comes to an end

October has officially arrived in Chicago, bringing postseason baseball, divisional football rivalries and the return of regular season hockey. 

While the Chicago Cubs and White Sox entered the playoffs hoping to make deep runs, both teams saw their seasons come to an end. Meanwhile, The Bears continued their up-and-down start, and the Blackhawks struggled to find their footing on the ice.

The Cubs began postseason play Sept. 29 against the San Diego Padres as a wild card spot. The best-of-three matchup offered Chicago an opportunity to advance to the divisional round against the Milwaukee Brewers, but San Diego had other plans.

The Cubs struggled to generate enough offense against the Padres, who entered the postseason with momentum following a strong September. Chicago’s hopes of advancing were cut short after San Diego swept the series in two games.

Game two proved to be the deciding matchup Sept. 30, when Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets came off the bench and smashed a two-run homer. The hit helped San Diego secure a 4-1 victory, eliminating the Cubs and sending the Padres to face Milwaukee in the National League Division Series. 

On the South Side, the Chicago White Sox entered October with a postseason run that gave fans plenty to celebrate before ultimately ending in disappointment.

The White Sox opened their American League Wild Card Series against the Houston Astros Sept. 29, winning the first matchup 6-3.

Shortstop Colson Montgomery helped Chicago build its lead with a home run, while first baseman Munetaka Murakami recorded his first postseason hit. The White Sox collected 11 hits, holding Houston to six as they took the opening game. 

Chicago carried its momentum into game two Sept. 30, scoring four runs in the first inning. Houston fought back with three runs through the fourth, but the White Sox added three more in the sixth to secure a 7-3 victory.

The win completed a two-game sweep of the Astros and sent the White Sox to the American League Division Series for the first time in 21 years. 

They continued their postseason success against the Cleveland Guardians Oct. 3, opening the five-game series with a 3-0 shutout. Chicago followed with a narrow 4-3 victory Oct. 5, putting the team one win away from advancing to the American League Championship Series.

Things took a turn when the series moved to Chicago Oct. 7. The Guardians’ offense came alive, scoring nine runs to defeat the White Sox 9-3. Cleveland followed with another nine-run performance Oct. 8, winning 9-5 and forcing a decisive fifth game.

With their seasons on the line Oct. 10, the White Sox struggled against Cleveland pitcher Gavin Williams, who struck out 12 batters and carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning.

Guardians third baseman José Ramírez delivered the deciding blow with a two-run homer in the fourth. Chicago was unable to respond, falling 2-0 and ending its postseason run after Cleveland completed a comeback from a 2-0 series deficit. 

Despite the elimination, the White Sox finished their season with an 84-78 regular-season record and a postseason series victory, marking a significant turnaround for the South Side franchise.

Heading into Major League Soccer, the Chicago Fire continued their push toward the playoffs with a home matchup against Vancouver Whitecaps FC Oct. 6 at Soldier Field.

The Fire wasted little time getting on the board as winger Jonathan Bamba scored in the ninth minute off an assist from midfielder Anton Salétros. Chicago maintained its one-goal advantage through halftime before winger Philip Zinckernagel doubled the lead in the 50th minute.

Vancouver fought back in the 73rd minute when defender Mathías Laborda found the net, cutting Chicago’s lead to 2-1.

The Fire quickly shut down any hopes of a comeback as winger Maren Haile-Selassie scored in the 88th minute, securing a 3-1 victory. Chicago recorded 22 shots throughout the match — with eight on target — while Vancouver managed just two shots on goal.

Chicago Fire continued their winning streak Oct. 10 when they welcomed New York City FC to Soldier Field, securing a 2-1 comeback victory despite playing much of the match with only 10 players.

New York took an early lead in the 19th minute when winger Hannes Wolf found the back of the net. Chicago’s troubles continued when midfielder Dje D’Avilla received his second yellow card in the 43rd minute, resulting in a red card and leaving the Fire down a player heading into halftime.

Despite the disadvantage, Chicago battled back in the 55th minute when midfielder Anton Salétros headed in a cross from winger Maren Haile-Selassie, tying the match at one.

With just three minutes remaining in regulation, Haile-Selassie capitalized on a misplaced pass from New York goalkeeper Matt Freese, scoring the game-winning goal in the 87th minute.

The victory marked Chicago’s third consecutive win, improving its record to 14-6-8 and bringing the team to 48 points in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Fire will remain at Soldier Field to face the Philadelphia Union Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

In the National Women’s Soccer League, the Chicago Stars returned home Oct. 4 to face Denver Summit FC at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Ill.

The Stars struggled to contain Denver’s offense early in the match as forward Janine Sonis scored in the eighth minute, giving the visitors an early advantage.

Denver midfielder Lindsey Heaps widened the gap in the 26th minute, sending Chicago into halftime trailing 2-0.

Despite Chicago’s attempts to regain momentum in the second half, Heaps struck again in the 76th minute to complete her two-goal performance and secure a 3-0 victory for Denver. Stars goalkeeper Katie Atkinson recorded three saves throughout the match.

The loss continued a difficult season for the Stars, who will return to Martin Stadium Oct. 18 to face Seattle Reign FC at 6 p.m. 

Moving to the National Football League, the Chicago Bears entered October looking to build on their 27-7 Monday Night Football victory against the Philadelphia Eagles Sept. 28.

The Bears welcomed the New York Jets to Soldier Field Oct. 4, where Chicago’s offense controlled much of the matchup in a 23-12 victory.

With starting quarterback Caleb Williams sidelined by a hamstring injury, backup quarterback Tyson Bagent stepped in and completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards.

Running back Kyle Monangai led Chicago’s rushing attack, recording 146 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. His performance helped the Bears maintain possession for nearly 43 minutes, leaving the Jets with limited opportunities to generate offense.

Chicago finished with 492 total yards compared to New York’s 157 yards while the Bears’ defense held the Jets to just seven first downs.

The victory improved Chicago’s record to 3-1, giving the team its second consecutive win. 

The Bears’ momentum came to a halt Oct. 11 when they traveled to Lambeau Field to face their longtime rivals, the Green Bay Packers.

Chicago struggled to establish an offensive rhythm as the Packers took advantage of several turnovers to secure a 31-7 victory.

Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns, while running back MarShawn Lloyd added two rushing touchdowns.

Bagent struggled against the Packers’ defense, completing 12 of 21 passes for 87 yards and two interceptions before quarterback Case Keenum entered the game.

The Bears’ lone touchdown came from running back D’Andre Swift, who capped off a 16-play, 78-yard drive.

Green Bay continued to widen its lead in the second half, scoring 17 unanswered points. Wide receiver Christian Watson helped put the game out of reach with a 53-yard touchdown reception.

The loss dropped Chicago to 3-2 as the Bears prepare to travel to Atlanta, Ga. to face the Falcons Oct. 18. 

The National Hockey League also returned to regular season action as the Chicago Blackhawks opened their season Sept. 29 with a road matchup against the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Chicago struggled to contain Vegas’ offense, falling 5-2 in its season opener.

Things only worsened when the Blackhawks traveled to face the Utah Mammoth Oct. 1, suffering a 6-0 shutout loss.

The Blackhawks continued their road trip against the Buffalo Sabres Oct. 3, where they came close to securing their first win, but ultimately fell 4-3.

After three consecutive losses, Chicago finally found success in its home opener against the St. Louis Blues Oct. 6.

The game marked a significant homecoming for veteran forward Patrick Kane, who returned to the Blackhawks after previously spending 16 seasons with the franchise and winning three Stanley Cups.

St. Louis opened the scoring in the first period when center Mason McTavish gave the Blues a 1-0 lead.

Chicago responded in the second period as defenseman Sam Rinzel scored on a power play to tie the game. Just two minutes later, center Anton Frondell found the net to give the Blackhawks their first lead 2-1.

The Blackhawks maintained their advantage into the third period before forward Cole Smith scored an empty-net goal to widen the lead to 3-1.

St. Louis briefly narrowed the gap with a power-play goal from center Connor McMichael, but Chicago center Frank Nazar answered with another empty-net goal in the final seconds, securing a 4-2 victory.

Goaltender Spencer Knight recorded 26 saves to help the Blackhawks earn their first win of the season. 

Chicago’s success was short-lived as the team fell 4-1 to the New York Islanders Oct. 8. The Blackhawks then faced the Carolina Hurricanes Oct. 10, where they suffered another loss, this time 5-2.

Carolina dominated the second period with three goals, putting Chicago in a difficult position heading into the final 20 minutes. Blackhawks forward Roman Kantserov recorded his first NHL goal, while center Oliver Moore added another. Despite Knight’s 34 saves, Chicago was unable to overcome Carolina’s offensive pressure.

The loss brought the Blackhawks to a 1-5 record through their first six regular-season games. Captain Connor Bedard continued working toward his return following offseason shoulder surgery.

Bedard participated in full-contact practice Oct. 11 for the first time since undergoing surgery in July. Head Coach Jeff Blashill indicated the 21-year-old could return as early as Oct. 13 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, although his availability remains dependent on medical clearance.

The Blackhawks will welcome Pittsburgh to the United Center Oct. 13 as they look to recover from their difficult opening stretch.