The fun of having both the Cubs and the White Sox in the postseason for the first time in 102 years was short-lived. After an entire season of being heralded as the best team in the National League, if not in all of Major League Baseball, the Cubs were swept out of the first round of playoffs last night in what can only be called an epic choke. Even a staunch skeptic like myself has a hard time dismissing the idea that something out there just will not let the North Siders make it to the World Series.

The city’s hopes now lie with the White Sox, who are already two games down in their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Sox in exciting (if desperate) fashion, forcing a one-game mini-playoff against division rivals the Minnesota Twins. While our hopes – or fears – of a Crosstown Classic have been crushed, there is still a chance for a little more October baseball in Chicago. If you like that sort of thing.

Personally, I feel like the season starts a month too early and ends a month too late. They call baseball players the “Boys of Summer” for a reason. There should never be a risk of a ballgame getting snowed out.

But whatever. The Bears are on at noon.