Crosstown Classic

Since the beginning of interleague play, the city of Chicago looks forward to the two series the Cubs and White Sox play. For a few days the "snobbish" North-siders brag about the Friendly Confines and the love they have for their losers. While the "blue-collar" South-Siders point out they have their one World Series title over the last 100 years to go along with their knowledge of the game. This series is more for bragging rights than for positioning for a run at the title. But is it?
While the fans find this series important and find it more than a baseball novelty, the players and coaches need to realize it is more than "just another game on the schedule." While driving home and listening to Chicago Sports Talk, players were being interviewed and asked of their thoughts on the upcoming series. Of the few talked to, a few said that this game is like no other, and every one is important to win. But is it a game like no other?
Last fall I wrote about rivalry games. They are important and need to be emphasized as such. The Cubs playing the White Sox isn't like a game against the Pirates or Marlins. The Cubs need to win those games to advance to post-season play. But playing the White Sox and Cardinals prepare them for playoff atmosphere games. Having witnessed games against each of those teams, the players and fans are into every pitch. The roar is louder for a strikeout and the anticipation for the leading run to score grows on every pitch. Playing against the Pirates, fans are more reserved-sitting back and waiting for the Cubs to take the lead, or waiting for the next great celebrity to sing the seventh inning stretch.
Interleague play is here to stay and has proven to be successful in its time. There are series many don't find interesting (Rockies - Royals, Pirates - Angels, etc.), but there are those which don't garner the national attention but the locals find very attractive (Twins - Cubs, Tigers - Cardinals, etc.). But for a team which has had its struggles in the post-season, an interleague series with the crosstown rival has nothing but benefits, as long as the Cubs deem it important.