Cubs Vs. White Sox: When And How To Watch 2018 Crosstown Classic

CHICAGO, IL — When interleague play began in Major League Baseball 21 years ago, the novelty of the concept — National League and American League teams facing off during the regular season — was enough to make the matchups feel like events in those early years, especially during a 162-game season. Even though some of that excitement has waned recently, the Crosstown Classic between the Cubs and White Sox still manages to stay special thanks to the natural rivalry that comes out of wanting to own bragging rights in the city both teams — and more importantly, their fans — call home.

As this year's series gears up, the Cubs are considered one of the elite teams in all baseball, while the White Sox are struggling through a rebuilding phase in hopes of capturing some of the same success the North Siders have now. But regular season records and performance don't mean anything when it comes to the Crosstown. A certain base-brawl in 2006 — a season after the White Sox won the World Series when the teams' fortunes were reversed — certainly proved that.

Since 2008, the South Siders lead the rivalry, winning 28 of 52 games. But the Cubs are the current owners of the Crosstown Cup, which was introduced in 2010, winning the series 3-1 last year.

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This year's Crosstown Classic returns to a six-game format — three at Wrigley Field, three at Comiskey New Comiskey U.S. Cellular The Cell Guaranteed Rate Field — after only playing four for the past two seasons. And while six games isn't unusual for the series, this will be the first time the three-game sets will be divided by more than a month. After this weekend, the Cubs and White Sox won't meet again until late September.

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But first things first. Here's what you need to know about the this weekend's upcoming games.

Crosstown Classic: White Sox at Cubs

GAME 1

First Pitch: 1:20 p.m. Friday, May 11

Where: Wrigley Field

TV | Radio | Streaming: WGN-TV, NBC Sports Chicago | 670 the Score (WSCR-AM), WGN 720 (WGN-AM), WRTO 1200 (WRTO-AM) | MLB.tv

Pitching Matchup: Carson Fulmer (2-2, 5.02 ERA) vs. Tyler Chatwood (2-3, 3.31 ERA)

GAME 2

First Pitch: 1:20 p.m. Saturday, May 12

Where: Wrigley Field

TV | Radio | Streaming: ABC 7 Chicago (WLS-TV), NBC Sports Chicago | 670 the Score (WSCR-AM), WGN 720 (WGN-AM), WRTO 1200 (WRTO-AM) | MLB.tv

Pitching Matchup: James Shields (1-3, 5.14 ERA) vs. Jon Lester (2-1, 2.82 ERA)

GAME 3

First Pitch: 1:20 p.m. Sunday, May 13

Where: Wrigley Field

TV | Radio | Streaming: WGN-TV, NBC Sports Chicago | 670 the Score (WSCR-AM), WGN 720 (WGN-AM), WRTO 1200 (WRTO-AM) | MLB.tv

Pitching Matchup: Lucas Giolito (1-4, 7.25 ERA) vs. Kyle Hendricks (3-2, 3.02 ERA)

When the Series Resumes …

GAME 4

• When: 3:10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21
• Where: Guaranteed Rate Field

GAME 5

• When: 6:10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22
• Where: Guaranteed Rate Field

GAME 6

• When: 1:10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23
• Where: Guaranteed Field

Images via Chicago White Sox | Chicago Cubs | Major League Baseball