The race to the World Series is coming to a close as numerous teams clinch divisions and others race for the Wild Card title.

The Chicago White Sox are within just nine games from closing in on the American League Central Division Penant.

On the other hand, the Chicago Cubs are struggling in the regular season. With numerous injuries and a record just below .500, the Cubs are hoping to catch a glimpse of the National League Wild Card.

At NIU, a competitive battle is also raging, this one inside Douglas Hall.

Roommates Joe Radosta, a freshman mechanical engineering major and Matt Larsh, a freshman accountancy major, have developed an intense atmosphere in their room.

Radosta, an avid Cubs fan, admits there is a “competitive friendship” that exists between him and Larsh, a devoted White Sox fan.

“Having [Larsh] as a roommate is kinda sucky, especially with the year that [the White Sox] are having,” Radosta said. “There’s some trash talking, of course, and I suppose it’s a good thing we’re such good friends.”

Larsh agrees, saying it is hard not to be competitive.

“We’re so competitive when it comes to the Cubs and Sox,” Larsh said. “We don’t allow each other to put up any Cubs or Sox things in the room.”

Larsh and Radosta have known each other since high school, have been fans of their teams since they were little and say it is a family tradition to be loyal fans.

“My whole family are Cubs fans so I learned pretty early that the Sox were the ‘dark side,’” Radosta said.

As with most rivalries, annoyances and irritations exist between the roommates.

“I don’t really hate [the Cubs],” Larsh said. “But they all think Wrigley Field is the greatest thing of all time.”

Larsh is not alone in his aggravations with the opposing team.

“There’s not really one thing I hate about the Sox in particular, it’s pretty much the whole package,” Radosta said. “I kind of hate how many Sox fans won’t admit that some of our players are good, just because they’re on the Cubs. And they all bash Wrigley Field.”

Although Larsh and Radosta have a competitive friendship and tend to disagree on the best team in baseball, the two enjoy the spirited atmosphere they share.

“We have fun being mean to each other at times, but it’s all in good fun,” Radosta said.