The Chicago White Sox clinched no worse than one of three American League wild-card spots with a 9-1 win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. They became the first team in MLB history to follow consecutive 100-loss seasons with a playoff berth. Instead of a wild celebration on the field, the team formed a handshake line and saved the party for the clubhouse, where bottles of Moët were stacked up. Miguel Vargas was drenched, and Munetaka Murakami was beaming as the team relished an improbable postseason appearance.

"This means a lot for us," Vargas said. "We've been chasing this moment for a long time. It's special for us. It's special for the whole organization." The White Sox still have their sights set on a division title, beginning the day just a game back of Cleveland. Manager Will Venable noted the team's expectation to reach this point, saying, "They know what this is about."

The day was also historic for Chicago, as the Cubs clinched a wild-card spot of their own, marking the first time both teams clinched on the same day. The White Sox started the season as 16-1 long shots on Draft Kings, tied for the second-longest odds behind Colorado. Key contributors include Murakami, who has 33 homers, and Vargas, who has 33 homers and 92 RBIs. Colson Montgomery, despite tying Mark Reynolds' season record of 223 strikeouts, has 31 homers and 87 RBIs.