The Kansas City Royals wrap up a regular-season home date on Thursday, September 24, 2026, hosting the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium for a 2:10 PM ET first pitch. Randy Dobnak takes the ball for Kansas City against Chicago left-hander David Sandlin. With the calendar pushing deep into September, every game carries weight in the standings, and the Royals will look to protect their home turf in front of the K faithful before the season winds down.

Pitching Matchup: Randy Dobnak vs. David Sandlin

Dobnak gets the starting assignment for the Royals. A ground-ball-oriented right-hander by reputation, Dobnak will need to work efficiently and keep the White Sox offense off the bases to give Kansas City a chance to win. Specific season statistics were not available at the time of this preview, but the Royals are leaning on him for a meaningful late-September start, which speaks to his role in the rotation.

On the other side, Chicago counters with David Sandlin. Sandlin is still working to establish himself at the major-league level, and this start gives Kansas City's lineup a chance to do damage against a pitcher building his résumé. The Royals should look to make him work early and often.

Kansas City Royals Starting Lineup

• 1. Carter Jensen — C
• 2. Bobby Witt Jr. — SS
• 3. Vinnie Pasquantino — 1B
• 4. Salvador Perez — DH
• 5. Michael Massey — 2B
• 6. Nick Loftin — 3B
• 7. John Rave — RF
• 8. Kyle Isbel — CF
• 9. Isaac Collins — LF

Keys to Watch

Bobby Witt Jr. in the Heart of the Order

Batting second, Witt Jr. is the engine of this offense. His ability to get on base and create chaos on the basepaths sets up the middle of the lineup — Pasquantino and Perez — for run-producing opportunities. If Witt Jr. is active early, Kansas City's offense tends to follow.

Salvador Perez as the Anchor at DH

Hitting cleanup in the designated hitter spot, Perez remains one of the most experienced and dangerous run producers in this lineup. Against a developing pitcher like Sandlin, Perez's ability to drive in runners from second and third could be the difference-maker.

Carter Jensen Leading Off

Jensen gets the leadoff spot today, an interesting decision that puts the young catcher at the top of the order. His ability to get on base and set the table for Witt Jr. will be one of the more intriguing storylines of the afternoon.

Dobnak's Ground-Ball Tendencies

Kauffman Stadium's infield can be a pitcher's friend when the defense is dialed in. If Dobnak generates weak contact and the Royals' infield — anchored by Witt Jr. at short and Massey at second — is sharp, Kansas City can keep this one close and manageable.

Prediction

The Royals have the lineup depth and the home-field advantage to take this one. Kansas City wins, 5-2, with Perez delivering a multi-RBI performance and Dobnak grinding through five-plus innings of work. The K should be a good place to be on a Thursday afternoon in late September.

Catch the game on Royals.TV or listen live on 96.5 The Fan or the Royals Radio Network.