Guaranteed Rate Field, Chicago, IL
First Pitch: 7:10 PM CT / 5:10 PM PT
Broadcast: Bally Sports Kansas City / NBC Sports Chicago / MLB.tv
Probable Pitchers:
KC — TBD (Royals have not announced a starter; bullpen game likely)
CWS — RHP Drew Thorpe (6–4, 3.68 ERA)
(Note: No starter listed for Kansas City as of June 26. Projection leans toward a bullpen game or spot start from Daniel Lynch IV or Steven Cruz.)
Venue Information — Guaranteed Rate Field
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Capacity: ~40,600
Dimensions: LF 330 ft, CF 400 ft, RF 335 ft
Ballpark Tendencies:
One of MLB’s most hitter‑friendly parks
Boosts home runs to left and left‑center
Plays especially lively in warm weather
Weather Forecast (Chicago, IL)
Temperature: 81°F at first pitch
Wind: 12 mph blowing out to left field
Humidity: 59%
Conditions: Clear, warm, hitter‑friendly environment Impact: Strong boost to right‑handed power; run‑scoring environment elevated.
Injury Report
Kansas City Royals
Bobby Witt Jr. — ACTIVE (returned from minor groin tightness)
Vinnie Pasquantino — OUT (shoulder inflammation, 10‑day IL)
MJ Melendez — DAY‑TO‑DAY (hand contusion)
Brady Singer — OUT (forearm strain)
Chris Stratton — OUT (elbow soreness)
Chicago White Sox
Luis Robert Jr. — ACTIVE (rest day Thursday)
Eloy Jiménez — OUT (hamstring strain)
Yoán Moncada — OUT (back tightness)
Garrett Crochet — OUT (shoulder fatigue)
Michael Kopech — DAY‑TO‑DAY (ankle soreness)
Team Records & Recent Form
Kansas City Royals (34–48)
Last 10: 3–7
Road Record: 15–26
Run Differential: –62
Trend: Pitching struggling; offense inconsistent outside of Witt and Perez.
Chicago White Sox (41–38)
Last 10: 6–4
Home Record: 22–17
Run Differential: +14
Trend: Rotation stabilizing; lineup producing despite injuries.
Pitching Matchup Breakdown
Kansas City Royals — TBD (Bullpen Game Likely)
Projected Options:
Daniel Lynch IV (LHP) — spot starter candidate
Steven Cruz (RHP) — opener candidate
Will Klein (RHP) — bulk innings candidate
Strengths
Mix‑and‑match approach can disrupt timing
Several relievers with high‑velocity fastballs
Lynch offers left‑handed look vs. Robert/Vaughn
Weaknesses
Bullpen heavily taxed in recent series
White Sox excel vs. fastballs
Lack of defined starter reduces stability
Matchup vs. White Sox
Chicago ranks top‑10 vs. right‑handed relievers
If Lynch starts, Sox lefty mashers (Robert, Vaughn, Sheets) gain advantage
KC must avoid early crooked numbers
Drew Thorpe — RHP, White Sox
2026 Stats: 6–4, 3.68 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 78 K in 88 IP
Strengths
Elite changeup
Excellent command
Generates soft contact
Strong home splits
Weaknesses
Can be hit hard if changeup flattens
Royals have several hitters who excel vs. changeups
Vulnerable to stolen bases (KC is aggressive on the bases)
Matchup vs. Royals
KC ranks top‑5 in MLB in contact rate vs. changeups
Witt and Garcia profile well
Thorpe must keep ball down to avoid doubles into the gaps
Key Player Matchups
Bobby Witt Jr. (KC) vs. Thorpe
Elite bat speed
Excellent vs. changeups and low fastballs Edge: Witt
Salvador Perez (KC) vs. RHP
Power threat in hitter‑friendly park
Thorpe must avoid middle‑in Edge: Perez
Luis Robert Jr. (CWS) vs. KC Bullpen
Crushes high‑velocity fastballs
KC’s bullpen-heavy approach plays into his strengths Edge: Robert
Andrew Vaughn (CWS) vs. LHP
If Lynch starts, Vaughn becomes a major factor Edge: Vaughn
Series History
2024–2026 Combined
White Sox lead 17–12
Chicago has won 6 of last 8 at Guaranteed Rate Field
Average total runs: 9.1 per game
2026 Season Series
First meeting of the season
Betting Trends
Kansas City Royals
7 of last 10: OVER
2–8 in last 10 road games
1–6 in bullpen games
4–10 last 14 vs. AL Central
Chicago White Sox
6 of last 8: OVER
8–3 in last 11 home games
5–1 in Thorpe’s last 6 starts
7–2 last 9 vs. teams under .500
Game Odds
Kansas City Royals 8.5
Chicago White Sox – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, June 25, 2026
