The Chicago White Sox lost an opportunity to clinch the third American League wild card, a playoff spot and a chance to move into first place in the Central Division with a 5-4 loss at the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. 

The AL Central Division-leading Cleveland Guardians lost 1-0 at the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, giving the White Sox the opportunity to tie for the lead.

A win by the White Sox coupled with the Texas Rangers' 7-2 loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday would have clinched the AL wild card for Chicago. The White Sox will now have an opportunity to clinch the third AL wild card on Thursday afternoon with a win at Kansas City.

Kansas City hosts the White Sox in the last of their three-game series on Thursday at 2:10 p.m. EST. Cleveland concludes its three-game series at Boston at 5:45 p.m. EST. If the White Sox lose on Thursday, a loss by the Rangers to the Mets (first pitch at 2:35 p.m. EST) would clinch the wildcard for the White Sox.

The White Sox rallied from 4-0 after one inning to tie the game with their own four-run third. The White Sox had an opportunity to score more runs in the third with runners on second and third and one out. Andrew Benintendi grounded to first, and Miguel Vargas was out at home in a rundown. Tristan Peters was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Chicago White Sox unable to take the lead

Chase Meidroth fouled out to the catcher to end the White Sox's threat in the fourth inning. The White Sox again had a chance to take the lead in the fourth inning after loading the bases with one out. Vargas grounded into a double play to end the top of the fourth inning.

Kansas City went ahead on a Maikel Garcia double to score Bobby Witt Jr. in the bottom of the seventh. Kansas City retired 14 consecutive White Sox batters before Braden Montgomery singled with two outs in the ninth inning. Sam Antonacci flied out to center field to end the game.

After finishing the series at Kansas City, the White Sox will return home to host the Colorado Rockies, who have the worst record in Major League Baseball, for the final three games of the regular season. Cleveland is at Kansas City for their final three regular-season games.