Bridgeport gears up for White Sox playoff clincher
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A general view at Rate Field prior to a game in September. Photo: Jayden Mack/Getty Images
The White Sox return to Rate Field Wednesday with a chance to sweep Cleveland and clinch a postseason series at home for the first time since 1906.
Why it matters: After three consecutive 100-loss seasons, the South Side is preparing for one of the biggest White Sox games in generations.
Zoom in: The Sox organization is making the most of the moment, asking everyone at sold-out Rate Field to wear black, recreating the atmosphere associated with the 2008 blackout game and later playoff runs.
- Fans will also get a postseason rally towel.
- Chicago band The Empty Pockets tells Axios it has been invited to perform a 15-minute set on the field before Wednesday's Game 3.
- "We've been playing White Sox games for a few years," The Empty Pockets guitarist Josh Solomon tells Axios. "Getting to be part of a playoff game now feels like our own little call-up to the majors. We just have to keep it together long enough to play our instruments."
Zoom out: If you can't get into the game, the White Sox have teamed up with the nearby Ramova Theatre for an official watch party.
- Mitchell's Tap, Shinnicks Pub and Redwood Chicago are also hosting watch parties in the neighborhood.
What they're saying: "All of the Bridgeport establishments are going to see an uptick in business," Frank Ruffalo, owner of Franco's Ristorante, tells Axios.
- Ruffalo predicts the bars will be slammed, while his restaurant is already seeing more reservations for lunch and dinner.
- "We didn't expect it. It's almost found money."
Around the neighborhood: Bars like Cork & Kerry at the Park and Turtles are expecting a rush of fans. Cork & Kerry told CBS it had already brought in about 200 cases of beer — before the hard liquor delivery even arrived.
- The sports apparel store Grandstand is also bracing for one of its biggest days of the year, telling CBS that fans are snapping up playoff apparel, including hats, jerseys and hoodies.
The bottom line: White Sox playoff magic is bringing a postseason payday to Bridgeport.