Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals Picks and Prediction for Thursday, September 24, 2026

On Thursday, the Chicago White Sox visit the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, with the opening pitch scheduled for 2:10 PM ET and televised on MLB.TV. Chicago is 81-76, 35-44 away, second in the AL Central and one game behind Cleveland. The White Sox also hold the final AL wild-card position after winning three straight, including a 14-11 victory over Kansas City on Tuesday. The Royals are 67-90, fifth in the AL Central and eliminated from playoff contention after five consecutive losses. Let’s break down the matchup with our free MLB picks.

Chicago White Sox Making a Late Playoff Push

Chicago has won four of its last five games, scoring at least eight runs in three of those contests. The White Sox opened this series with 14 runs against Kansas City after taking three of four from Detroit. Miguel Vargas leads Chicago with 33 home runs and 89 RBI while batting .251 with a .363 on-base percentage and .481 slugging percentage. Chase Meidroth is hitting .271 with 151 hits, while Sam Antonacci owns a .270 average, .363 on-base percentage and 19 stolen bases. Colson Montgomery has added 31 home runs and 87 RBI.

The White Sox are batting .235 with 747 runs, 203 home runs, a .320 on-base percentage and .404 slugging percentage. Chicago ranks 15th in MLB with a 4.15 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, and a .243 opponent batting average. The staff has struck out 1,292 batters while allowing 174 home runs. Chicago is tied for 12th defensively with a .986 fielding percentage and 80 errors. The White Sox have also posted a 32-31 record in day games.

Injuries: Tristan Peters (questionable), Prelander Berroa (out), Joey Bart (out), Tanner Murray (out), Ky Bush (out).

Kansas City Royals Trying to End a Five-Game Slide

Kansas City has dropped five straight, with four of those defeats coming by at least three runs. The Royals scored 11 times against Chicago on Tuesday but allowed 14, following losses of 4-3, 6-5 and 8-5 at Pittsburgh. Bobby Witt Jr. is batting .283 with a .362 on-base percentage, 18 home runs and 43 stolen bases. Jac Caglianone is also hitting .283 with 23 homers, 71 RBI and a .487 slugging percentage. Carter Jensen leads Kansas City with 25 home runs and 76 RBI.

The Royals are hitting .246 with 667 runs, 164 home runs, a .315 on-base percentage, and a .399 slugging percentage. Their pitching has been a larger problem, ranking 27th in MLB with a 4.72 ERA. Kansas City has a 1.40 WHIP and opponents are batting .260, while the staff has surrendered 200 home runs and recorded 1,142 strikeouts. The defense ranks tied for seventh with a .987 fielding percentage and 71 errors. Kansas City is 39-37 at Kauffman Stadium.

Injuries: James McArthur (out), Connor Seabold (out), Beck Way (out), Carlos Estevez (out).

Pitching Matchup

Chicago White Sox - David Sandlin

David Sandlin starts for Chicago with a 2-2 record and 6.29 ERA across 34.1 innings. The right-hander has a 1.28 WHIP, allowing 31 hits and six home runs. Sandlin has recorded 33 strikeouts against 13 walks.

Kansas City Royals - Randy Dobnak

Randy Dobnak is 3-4 with a 3.08 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 73 innings. The right-hander has surrendered 72 hits and seven home runs while striking out 48 and walking 25. 

Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals Game Pick

• Chicago White Sox

Chicago is the pick with its recent form and larger offensive totals separating these clubs. The White Sox have won four of five and scored 28 runs across their last three victories, including 14 against Kansas City. Chicago has 203 home runs and 747 runs this season, while Kansas City has 164 homers and 667 runs. Dobnak presents a tougher starting assignment than Chicago faced Tuesday, but the Royals' 4.72 team ERA and five-game losing streak leave the White Sox with several ways to produce runs.

Chicago White Sox vs Kansas City Royals Over/Under Pick

• Over

A high-scoring game fits the recent results and pitching numbers. Chicago has scored 36 runs across its last five games, while Kansas City has allowed 38 during its five-game losing streak. Tuesday's series opener produced 25 combined runs, and Sandlin takes the mound with a 6.29 ERA. Kansas City's 4.72 team ERA and 1.40 WHIP also create scoring chances for a Chicago lineup with 203 home runs. Dobnak has pitched well, but the recent offensive output makes over the play.