# White Sox Clinch Playoff Berth

> White Sox secure first playoff spot since 2021 with 9-1 win over Royals.
- Title: White Sox Clinch Playoff Berth · Chicago Sun-Times | Shortify
- Summary: White Sox secure first playoff spot since 2021 with 9-1 win over Royals. White Sox clinched their first playoff berth in five years with a 9-1 victory over…
- Keywords: white sox, royals, al wild card, cleveland guardians, mlb, kauffman stadium, playoff berth, al central standings, news, local, White, Sox
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2026/09/24/white-sox-clinch-first-playoff-berth-since-2021-with-9-1-blowout-win-over-royals
- Published: 2026-09-24T22:01:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: white sox, royals, al wild card, cleveland guardians, mlb, kauffman stadium, playoff berth, al central standings, news, local
## White Sox clinch playoff berth
White Sox secured their first playoff berth since 2021 with a 9-1 blowout victory over the Royals.
## Sox jump out early
The White Sox jumped ahead by six runs in the first two innings after Royals starter Randy Dobnak made critical errors.
## Dobnak's mistakes
Royals starter Randy Dobnak allowed three runs in the first inning and two more in the second after errors by his defense.
## Sox offense dominates
The White Sox offense produced three runs in the first inning and three more in the second, with Miguel Vargas driving in two runs.
## Historic comeback
The White Sox became the first MLB team to make the playoffs after three consecutive years of 100+ losses.
## Sox close gap with Guardians
The White Sox now trail the Cleveland Guardians by half a game in the AL Central standings.
## Player reactions
Outfielder Andrew Benintendi said the win was a chance to 'pop bottles' after a long time without such celebrations.
## Team morale
Davis Martin, the longest-tenured player on the team, said the win means 'the world' for the White Sox.
## Sox history
The White Sox snapped a 14-game losing streak at Kauffman Stadium in April 2026.
## Next steps
The White Sox now aim to secure a playoff spot while staying within a half-game of the Guardians in the AL Central standings.
## Key takeaway

White Sox clinched their first playoff berth in five years with a 9-1 victory over the Royals, moving within a half-game of Cleveland in the AL Central standings.