The Kansas City Royals wrap up another home date at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, September 24, 2026, when they welcome the Chicago White Sox for a 2:10 PM ET first pitch. Randy Dobnak takes the hill for Kansas City against Chicago's David Sandlin in a late-season regular season contest that gives the Royals another opportunity to close out their home schedule with a win in front of the K's faithful. Both clubs are playing out the final stretch of a long 2026 campaign, and every game still counts.
Probable Starters: Dobnak vs. Sandlin
Randy Dobnak gets the nod for the Royals in what figures to be a battle of two pitchers who will need to execute their game plans to keep runs off the board. Dobnak has shown the ability to generate weak contact and work deep into games when his sinker is working, and he'll need that groundball-heavy approach against a White Sox lineup that can find holes in the defense.
Chicago counters with left-hander David Sandlin, a name that Royals hitters will need to be prepared for. Sandlin is a pitcher the Kansas City lineup will look to solve early. Getting on base and building traffic against a starting pitcher in his first time through the order is always a priority, and that holds true Thursday.
Keys to Watch in This Matchup
- Dobnak's command: When Dobnak is locating his sinker down in the zone, he's effective. If he falls behind in counts and starts leaving pitches elevated, the White Sox will make him pay.
- Early offense against Sandlin: The Royals' lineup needs to set the tone in the first couple of innings. Putting pressure on an unfamiliar arm early can force the Chicago bullpen into action sooner than they'd like.
- Bullpen depth: With September rosters expanded, both clubs have arms available. How each manager deploys his relief corps in the middle innings could determine the outcome as much as what the starters do.
- Kauffman Stadium crowd: A Thursday afternoon game in late September brings its own atmosphere to the K. The crowd may be smaller, but the Royals have historically played well in front of their home fans, and any energy in the stands helps.
Prediction
This matchup comes down to which starting pitcher controls the strike zone longer. Dobnak pitching at home, where he can lean on a familiar mound and a defense he trusts, gives Kansas City a slight edge. Expect a competitive, lower-scoring game that hinges on a big hit in the middle innings. The Royals take this one at home, 4-2.
