Preview for Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Schedule and player information can change.
Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals
Chicago White Sox visit Kansas City Royals with the pitching matchup shaping up as Bryan Hudson against Seth Lugo. Hudson brings a 3.03 ERA and a WP-calculated FIP of 3.32 across approximately 65.3 innings pitched this season, numbers that stand out well against Lugo's 5.06 ERA and 4.47 FIP over a much larger workload of approximately 169.0 innings. On the season-to-date run-prevention marks, Hudson's figures are clearly the stronger of the two starters listed here.
Looking at the team-level numbers, Chicago's offense carries a WP-estimated wOBA of 0.316 compared to Kansas City's 0.310, giving the White Sox a slight edge on that measure. On the pitching side, Chicago's team ERA of 4.15 and FIP of 4.34 are both lower than Kansas City's team ERA of 4.72 and FIP of 4.76, suggesting the White Sox staff overall has prevented runs more effectively than the Royals staff this season.
Several injury statuses are on file for this matchup. Luinder Avila and Ryan Bergert and Christian Chamberlain of the Royals are each listed on the 60-Day IL, while Brooks Baldwin and Aldrin Batista of the White Sox are listed on the 60-Day IL and Joey Bart of the White Sox is listed on the 10-Day IL. Taken together, the available statistics favor Chicago, with a better starting pitcher in Hudson, a lower team ERA and FIP, and a modestly higher team wOBA than Kansas City.
Statistical scope: MLB Stats API; 2026 regular season season-to-date; exact statistical through-date not supplied.
WP selection: White Sox moneyline. Confidence: Confident.
The selection is supplied separately by WP. The comparisons above do not establish why the model made this selection.
WP home-run candidate for Royals: Jac Caglianone. The selection uses roster and season-stat inputs; it does not establish a confirmed batting lineup or favourable betting odds.
WP home-run candidate for White Sox: Randal Grichuk. The selection uses roster and season-stat inputs; it does not establish a confirmed batting lineup or favourable betting odds.
Predictions are uncertain; no outcome is guaranteed. Check the picks page for the latest available selections.