MLB Game Preview: Kansas City Royals (67-65) vs. Chicago White Sox (48-83)

Game Details

First pitch is scheduled for 7:40 p.m. ET, with Michael Lorenzen taking the mound for Kansas City against Chicago’s Martin Pérez.

Betting Trends

• Kansas City has been listed as a favorite 54 times this season and has won 32 of those games for a 59.3% success rate when favored.
• Chicago has claimed three wins in ten games as an underdog in 2025 and arrives riding a three-game home winning streak.

Key Storylines

• The Royals dropped Game 1 of this series, falling 7–0 in Chicago, snapping a five-game win streak and slipping to 2–4 over their last six matchups after a strong run earlier in August.
• Kansas City owns an 8–3 edge in the season series versus the White Sox, dominating head-to-head play despite Chicago’s late surge at home this month.

Players to Watch

Kansas City Royals

• Bobby Witt Jr.: Hitting .297 with 40 doubles, four triples, 19 homers and 44 walks; riding a 13-game hit streak and batting .400 over his last ten contests.
• Vinnie Pasquantino: Leads the Royals with 28 home runs and 92 RBI; has recorded at least one hit in seven straight games and .316 average over his last ten starts.
• Salvador Pérez: Slugged 22 homers with 31 doubles, combining power with a .247 average and riding a six-game hitting streak into this matchup.

Chicago White Sox

• Miguel Vargas: Batting .234 with 28 doubles, two triples, 13 homers and 48 walks; provides on-base consistency atop the order.
• Luis Robert: Offers power with 14 home runs and a .225 average, supplying middle-of-the-order pop in clutch spots.
• Lenyn Sosa: Team leader with 17 homers, 57 RBI and a .270 average; delivers power from the right side and can change the game with one swing.

Pitching Matchup

• Royals: Michael Lorenzen (5–8, 4.50 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 94 SO) makes his 21st start of the year, averaging 7.8 K/9 and seeking win No. 6.
• White Sox: Martin Pérez (1–3, 2.51 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 27 SO) takes the bump for his 12th start, coming off a quality five-strikeout outing in his last turn.

X-Factors

• Guaranteed Rate Field Wind: Southwest breezes can carry fly balls into the seats, turning routine outs into homers.
• Bullpen Leverage: Chicago’s bullpen has been stout over its three-game home run, while Kansas City’s late-innings arms have struggled for consistency.
• Midgame Adjustments: Brian Snitker’s in-game counterpunches versus Pedro Grifol’s lineup tweaks could decide this tight AL Central tilt.