Plus: 5 things to watch in the Chicago Bears opener against the Carolina Panthers — plus our Week 1 predictions • Big Ten football this week: Headline attractions have No. 1 Ohio State and Michigan facing major challenges
Sports Friday, September 11, 2026 | | |
| | | | | Good morning, Chicago. The White Sox have been in a rut, and at the worst possible time, losing eight of 11. Their lead in the AL Central is down to 1½ games over the second-place Guardians. With last night's 2-0 loss, the Sox were shut out for the 11th time this season and went 2-4 on the homestand. White Sox right fielder Braden Montgomery misses a double from the Pirates' Nick Gonzales during the sixth inning at Rate Field on Sept. 10, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) The Sox hit the road today for the first of three against the Cardinals. A crucial three-game series against the Guardians at Progressive Field follows, starting Monday. "We’ve got (16) games left," outfielder Andrew Benintendi said. "If you would have asked us before the season if to be in this position with (16) left, we would have taken it. It stinks, obviously, getting swept at home. But who knows, maybe we go on the road and hit first and punch some other people in the mouth. "Obviously it sucks, but it’s going to happen at some point." | | | | Caleb Williams wants to be in Chicago “forever,” and he fully embraced summertime in the city. But now things get real as the Bears open the 2026 season. | | | | | The Chicago Bears begin Year 2 under coach Ben Johnson on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Here are five storylines to watch — plus the Tribune’s predictions for the game. | | | | | No. 1 Ohio State and No. 4 Texas face off for the third straight season in a matchup of national title contenders. | | | | | After a 2-4 trip, the Cubs return home for a pair of series as they battle for a wild-card spot. The White Sox, meanwhile, have their final multicity trip of the season, and it’s a big one. | | | | | Ryan Roobroeck will get his first experience playing with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2026 Prospect Showcase, which begins Friday at USG Arena. | | | | | When No. 3 Notre Dame faces Rice in its home opener Saturday, the Fighting Irish won’t just be facing the Owls. They’ll be trying to rewrite their early-season script. | | | | | If the Carolina Panthers want to pick on a rookie defensive back in Sunday’s season opener, Chicago Bears cornerback Malik Muhammad II is all for it. | | | | | Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark’s interactions are a subplot of the women’s FIBA World Cup, the WNBA season, and, if you spend enough time on social media, a divided country. | | | |
