CHICAGO (670 The Score) – The Cubs-White Sox series at Wrigley Field this weekend will be unique in that the highly anticipated crosstown matchup won't feature fans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
What it does figure to have is plenty of adrenaline, as two strong teams will be squaring off. The Cubs sit at 16-8 and atop the NL Central entering the three-game series that begins Friday, while the White Sox are streaking, winning five in a row to improve to 15-11.
"The players are competing now in every series to help us attain victory," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "The professionalism they bring will remain. Does it make it a little different without having fans out there? Sure it does. No one can deny that.
"Fortunately, we have our guys going out there each game giving us all they have no matter who is the opponent."
White Sox ace Lucas Giolito proved Renteria's point with a dominant outing Thursday, when he led the White Sox to a 9-0 win against the Tigers by throwing seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball while matching a career-high with 13 strikeouts. The White Sox swept the Tigers, marking their first four-game sweep at home since July 2010, according to MLB.com.
Afterward, Giolito credited catcher James McCann for his game plan and work.
"James and I have a special trust with each other," Giolito said. "He asked me to throw nine changeups in a row in the seventh inning, and I just went along with it. We had a great plan to execute today."
Renteria has experienced both sides of the crosstown matchup. He managed the Cubs in 2014 and has been in his current role with the White Sox since 2017.
For the first time in his White Sox tenure, Renteria has a competitive team to manage. He's enjoying it.
"We have had a lot of competitive games with them since I have managed here," Renteria said in previewing the Cubs series. "I will say I am looking to go in there and have some fun."
With both teams in the playoff race, the games this weekend will carry real meaning. And it might not be the only series between the two sides with big stakes this season. In a scheduling twist, the Cubs and White Sox will also close their regular seasons with a three-game series against one another at Guaranteed Rate Field from Sept. 25-27.
Finally contending again, the White Sox know they have much work to do and that it continues against the Cubs.
"We will go in there with a sense of pride in this team," Giolito said.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
