Crosstown Showdown History

The Cubs and White Sox have been meeting each year since interleague play started in 1997. Bragging rights are on the line and this year even more so with both teams struggling and the BP Crosstown Cup up for grabs for the first time. Yesterday's game was not pretty, but hopefully the Cubs step it up the rest of the weekend at Wrigley.

Before we preview the rest of this year's Crosstown Showdown, let's take a look back at the history of the Cubs/White Sox series.

The two teams in the Windy City met for the first time on October 9, 1906 in Game 1 of the World Series. The Sox won the series in six games. The two clubs have never met in the World Series again to date, and they would not play each other at all in games that counted until interleague play in '97. The season series consisted of only one three game set at Comiskey Park in '97. The Cubbies won the first regular season game ever against to Sox on June 16, 1997 by a score of 8-3. The home South Siders bounced back and took two of three.

In 1998 the first and only sweep in the Crosstown Classic took place when the Cubs took all three at Wrigley Field. The next year the six game (3 in each park) format began. In 2006, one of the most famous (or infamous) Crosstown Series moments took place. Michael Barrett punched A.J. Pierzynski in the face after A.J. ran over Michael on the play at the plate. A bench clearing brawl and four ejections followed the punch.

For the first time ever both clubs in the Windy City met as division leaders in 2008. The road team won all six games of the series that year resulting in a 3-3 season tie. A Cubs/Sox game was postponed for the first time in 2009. It was made up in September, but both teams were already out of the race.

With the win yesterday, the White Sox now lead the All-Time regular season series 38-35. The Sox have won the season series six times, the Cubs have won three times, and they've split the six games four times.

Coming up at 3:10 on FOX the series continues with Game 2 at Wrigley. Carlos Silva, who's looking to improve upon his perfect 8-0 record, will pitch against Mark Buehrle. Tomorrow night the final game of Part 1 of the showdown will take place on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball at 7:05 CT. Ted Lilly (1-5) and Gavin Floyd (2-6) are both having tough years. They will face off tomorrow on the hill.

Cubs/Sox Series at U.S. Cellular Field:
Friday June 25 3:05 CSN
Saturday June 26 6:10 FOX
Sunday June 27 1:05 WGN

When the Cubs are in need of a win... Silva's the right guy to have going!

-"I don't care who wins as long was it's the Cubs."