The Padres (83-70) look to keep their division-title hopes alive when they begin a three-game series against the host White Sox (57-96) on Friday. San Diego could clinch its fourth postseason berth in the last six seasons with a successful series against the White Sox, who have lost six straight games. The White Sox need to go 6-3 or better over their final nine games to avoid a third straight 100-loss season. Cease, 29, won his second straight start with an impressive outing against the Colorado Rockies last Saturday. He was with the White Sox from 2019-23 before he was traded to the Padres weeks before the start of the 2024 season.