The Chicago White Sox wrap up a road trip with a Thursday afternoon contest against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 24, 2026, with first pitch set for 2:10 PM ET. Chicago sends left-handed prospect David Sandlin to face Kansas City's Randy Dobnak in what amounts to a late-season regular season showdown between two AL Central rivals. With September winding down and rosters expanded, every start from a young arm like Sandlin carries evaluation weight heading into the offseason. This one matters — if not for standings implications, then for the development picture taking shape on the South Side.
Probable Starters: David Sandlin vs. Randy Dobnak
David Sandlin gets the ball for the Sox. The young right-hander is one of the arms Chicago has been developing with an eye toward the future, and late-season starts on the road against a competitive Royals club are exactly the kind of auditions that shape offseason roster decisions. How he handles a major league lineup under real game conditions is the story here.
Opposing him is Randy Dobnak for Kansas City. Dobnak has shown durability and the ability to generate contact throughout his career, and Kauffman Stadium's spacious outfield can play into the hands of a pitcher who works the zone and lets his defense do the heavy lifting. Both pitchers' current season statistics were unavailable at time of publication, so the matchup on paper is a relatively even unknown — which makes what actually happens on the field all the more interesting to watch.
Keys to Watch for the White Sox
- Sandlin's command: Against a Royals lineup that makes consistent contact and puts pressure on pitchers to throw strikes, Sandlin's ability to locate his fastball and mix secondary offerings will determine how deep he can go into the game.
- Bullpen management: With expanded rosters, the Sox have arms available, but how manager Will Venable deploys them behind Sandlin in a low-leverage September road game will reveal something about which relievers are earning trust down the stretch.
- Offensive approach against Dobnak: Dobnak lives by inducing weak contact. The Sox hitters who work counts, find pitches to drive, and avoid easy outs on the ground will be the ones who give Chicago the best chance to plate runs at Kauffman.
- Defensive execution: Road games in September can have a loose feeling. Clean defense behind Sandlin is non-negotiable if Chicago wants to keep this one close.
How to Watch and Listen
Thursday's game can be seen on Chicago Sports Network or Royals.TV. Radio coverage is available on ESPN Chicago WMVP 1000 AM for Sox fans, with 96.5 The Fan carrying the Royals' radio call.
Prediction
This is a game between two teams in different places in their respective rebuilds, and without current pitching statistics in hand, it is hard to lean heavily one way. What is clear is that Sandlin's performance will be scrutinized closely regardless of the outcome. If he can give the Sox five competitive innings and the offense does enough against a manageable Dobnak, Chicago has a real shot to walk out of Kansas City with a win. Call it a competitive game that goes down to the later innings — slight edge to the Royals at home, but the Sox have enough to make it uncomfortable. Prediction: Royals 4, White Sox 3.
