Sports Editor Orrin Schwarz looks at the week ahead

Monday-Wednesday

White Sox at Cubs

The Crosstown Series returns to the North Side with the White Sox still in first place in the AL Central and the Cubs gaining on first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central. With less than 40 games to play in the regular season, both appear bound for the playoffs. But how they get there matters, which adds meaning to a series that always matters in the Chicago area. Find the Sox broadcasts on WCIU and CHSN and the Cubs broadcasts on Marquee, as usual.

Friday

High school football begins

Friday night lights returns in Illinois, a week earlier than usual because of the expanded playoffs. Unlike the August Bears games, the high school games matter, though maybe slightly less than in previous years because of the larger playoff field. But there’s more to high school football than making the playoffs: It’s a big event for every high school, with the cheerleaders on the sideline, the marching band leading the team onto the field, plus fellow students, parents and community members in the stands. Friday nights are special at the start of the school year.

Saturday

Bears at Bengals, 6 p.m., Fox

The NFL prefers to call these games “preseason” matchups, as if it helps maintain their legitimacy. The truth is they’re mostly practice scrimmages, for players and coaches, which explains why so many teams sit their starters. The Bears didn’t play their first-string offense in Saturday’s debut against the Browns, and don’t be surprised if that happens again at Cincinnati. No reason to risk injuries here.

Saturday

Fire at RBNY, 6:30 p.m., Apple TV

The Fire heads to New York after a midweek game at Orlando. Yup, it’s a busy week in a busy month for the Fire, which has looked good in Leagues Cup games worked into the MLS calendar. The Fire, sitting well above the red line in the MLS Eastern Conference table, attacks the game with left back Andrew Gutman, Hinsdale’s own, having signed a contract extension Saturday.

Sunday

Fever at Sky, 6 p.m., NBC/Peacock

The Sky isn’t the worst team in the WNBA, sitting 11th out of 15, and Caitlin Clark’s Fever isn’t the best, in fourth place. The Sky hasn’t been trending in the right direction lately, though, and it’s highly unlikely to make the playoffs. The Sky is a much better team at Wintrust Arena than on the road, so maybe an upset is possible.