PREVIEW Starts 7:40 PM ET · Kauffman Stadium
September 23, 2026 · AL Cent

Chicago White Sox at Kansas City Royals

September 23, 20267:40 PM ETKauffman Stadium
AWAY
Chicago White Sox
80-76
—
@
HOME
Kansas City Royals
67-89
—

Probable starters

AWAY · CWS
Erick Fedde
Erick Fedde
HOME · KC
Seth Lugo
Seth Lugo

Lineups

Lineups are usually announced ~90 minutes before first pitch. Check back soon.

Hitter season stats

Season-to-date lines for each hitter in the projected lineup, with a Marcel projection (Proj OPS). Season columns are 2026 to date; Proj is a forward-looking estimate, not a result.

AWAY · CWS Projected · top 9 by AB
BATTER 2026 SEASON PROJ OPS
AVGOBPSLGOPSHRRBIK
1 Miguel Vargas 3B · R .251 .362 .482 .844 33 88 122 .720
2 Chase Meidroth 2B · R .268 .343 .401 .744 15 58 139 .728
3 Colson Montgomery SS · L .205 .292 .419 .711 31 87 216 .752
4 Sam Antonacci LF · L .270 .363 .391 .754 8 48 81 .746
5 Munetaka Murakami 1B · L .202 .346 .463 .809 32 70 188 .733
6 Tristan Peters CF · L .272 .344 .451 .795 12 54 87 .733
7 Andrew Benintendi DH · L .242 .302 .413 .715 14 71 106 .709
8 Braden Montgomery RF · S .212 .305 .341 .646 6 38 69 .746
9 Randal Grichuk DH · R .282 .309 .548 .857 13 40 59 .716
HOME · KC Projected · top 9 by AB
BATTER 2026 SEASON PROJ OPS
AVGOBPSLGOPSHRRBIK
1 Salvador Perez DH · R .227 .271 .374 .645 19 73 116 .713
2 Bobby Witt Jr. SS · R .279 .359 .440 .799 18 54 105 .792
3 Carter Jensen C · L .233 .319 .454 .773 25 76 165 .751
4 Jac Caglianone RF · L .282 .335 .486 .821 23 71 139 .732
5 Isaac Collins LF · S .217 .323 .329 .652 6 40 114 .726
6 Michael Massey 2B · L .274 .307 .436 .743 13 48 72 .711
7 Vinnie Pasquantino 1B · L .244 .330 .406 .736 14 54 72 .742
8 Nick Loftin 3B · R .240 .324 .380 .704 7 43 71 .717
9 Maikel Garcia 3B · R .258 .313 .371 .684 3 34 50 .730

Pitcher vs. lineup projection

Projected expected wOBA for each probable starter against the opposing lineup, by batting order. A season-to-date matchup read — forward-looking, not a result.

CWS starter vs Royals lineup

Erick Fedde (RHP)

Lineup avg xwOBA .313
  1. 1 SP Salvador Perez RHB .327
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Salvador Perez
    • Sinker (31% usage) projects to .390 xwOBA over 275 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Sweeper (31% usage) projects to .301 xwOBA over 223 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (24% usage) projects to .308 xwOBA over 151 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (12% usage) projects to .269 xwOBA over 181 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
  2. 2 BW Bobby Witt Jr. RHB .342
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Bobby Witt Jr.
    • Sinker (31% usage) projects to .366 xwOBA over 329 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Sweeper (31% usage) projects to .302 xwOBA over 190 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (24% usage) projects to .368 xwOBA over 192 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Changeup (12% usage) projects to .333 xwOBA over 200 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  3. 3 CJ Carter Jensen LHB .315
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Carter Jensen
    • Sinker (31% usage) projects to .312 xwOBA over 87 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (31% usage) projects to .279 xwOBA over 58 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
    • Cutter (24% usage) projects to .362 xwOBA over 42 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Changeup (12% usage) projects to .319 xwOBA over 65 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  4. 4 JC Jac Caglianone LHB .319
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Jac Caglianone
    • Sinker (31% usage) projects to .315 xwOBA over 101 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (31% usage) projects to .321 xwOBA over 61 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (24% usage) projects to .344 xwOBA over 52 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Changeup (12% usage) projects to .279 xwOBA over 99 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
  5. 5 IC Isaac Collins SH .311
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Isaac Collins
    • Sinker (31% usage) projects to .309 xwOBA over 129 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (31% usage) projects to .334 xwOBA over 40 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (24% usage) projects to .316 xwOBA over 58 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (12% usage) projects to .248 xwOBA over 116 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
  6. 6 MM Michael Massey LHB .310
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Michael Massey
    • Sinker (31% usage) projects to .310 xwOBA over 134 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (31% usage) projects to .285 xwOBA over 61 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (24% usage) projects to .361 xwOBA over 74 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Changeup (12% usage) projects to .273 xwOBA over 170 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
  7. 7 VP Vinnie Pasquantino LHB .308
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Vinnie Pasquantino
    • Sinker (31% usage) projects to .319 xwOBA over 242 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (31% usage) projects to .296 xwOBA over 94 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (24% usage) projects to .312 xwOBA over 130 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (12% usage) projects to .301 xwOBA over 214 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
  8. 8 NL Nick Loftin RHB .284
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Nick Loftin
    • Sinker (31% usage) projects to .284 xwOBA over 139 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (31% usage) projects to .270 xwOBA over 67 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
    • Cutter (24% usage) projects to .314 xwOBA over 64 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (12% usage) projects to .265 xwOBA over 64 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
  9. 9 MG Maikel Garcia RHB .305
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Maikel Garcia
    • Sinker (31% usage) projects to .326 xwOBA over 342 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (31% usage) projects to .292 xwOBA over 143 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (24% usage) projects to .299 xwOBA over 142 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (12% usage) projects to .296 xwOBA over 106 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
Erick Fedde vs Royals: full season matchup breakdown →
KC starter vs White Sox lineup

Seth Lugo (RHP)

Lineup avg xwOBA .319
  1. 1 MV Miguel Vargas RHB .328
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Miguel Vargas
    • Four-Seam Fastball (19% usage) projects to .340 xwOBA over 501 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Sinker (18% usage) projects to .372 xwOBA over 297 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Curveball (16% usage) projects to .287 xwOBA over 74 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (14% usage) projects to .325 xwOBA over 112 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (9% usage) projects to .299 xwOBA over 114 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (8% usage) projects to .316 xwOBA over 196 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (7% usage) projects to .336 xwOBA over 104 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • SV (6% usage) projects to .317 xwOBA over 5 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • CS (3% usage) projects to .349 xwOBA over limited BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
  2. 2 CM Chase Meidroth RHB .306
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Chase Meidroth
    • Four-Seam Fastball (19% usage) projects to .327 xwOBA over 340 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sinker (18% usage) projects to .322 xwOBA over 231 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (16% usage) projects to .304 xwOBA over 37 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (14% usage) projects to .310 xwOBA over 72 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (9% usage) projects to .293 xwOBA over 121 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (8% usage) projects to .281 xwOBA over 154 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (7% usage) projects to .254 xwOBA over 82 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
    • SV (6% usage) projects to .305 xwOBA over 6 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • CS (3% usage) projects to .285 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
  3. 3 CM Colson Montgomery LHB .322
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Colson Montgomery
    • Four-Seam Fastball (19% usage) projects to .296 xwOBA over 302 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sinker (18% usage) projects to .349 xwOBA over 130 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Curveball (16% usage) projects to .282 xwOBA over 41 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (14% usage) projects to .430 xwOBA over 58 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Changeup (9% usage) projects to .292 xwOBA over 96 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (8% usage) projects to .309 xwOBA over 106 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (7% usage) projects to .260 xwOBA over 66 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
    • SV (6% usage) projects to .313 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
    • CS (3% usage) projects to .313 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
  4. 4 SA Sam Antonacci LHB .318
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Sam Antonacci
    • Four-Seam Fastball (19% usage) projects to .343 xwOBA over 156 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Sinker (18% usage) projects to .327 xwOBA over 101 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (16% usage) projects to .314 xwOBA over 19 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (14% usage) projects to .300 xwOBA over 54 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (9% usage) projects to .286 xwOBA over 55 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (8% usage) projects to .300 xwOBA over 63 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (7% usage) projects to .284 xwOBA over 31 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • SV (6% usage) projects to .354 xwOBA over limited BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
    • CS (3% usage) projects to .354 xwOBA over limited BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
  5. 5 MM Munetaka Murakami LHB .327
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Munetaka Murakami
    • Four-Seam Fastball (19% usage) projects to .359 xwOBA over 154 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Sinker (18% usage) projects to .332 xwOBA over 64 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (16% usage) projects to .335 xwOBA over 30 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (14% usage) projects to .315 xwOBA over 24 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (9% usage) projects to .315 xwOBA over 46 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (8% usage) projects to .289 xwOBA over 91 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (7% usage) projects to .291 xwOBA over 48 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • SV (6% usage) projects to .324 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
    • CS (3% usage) projects to .324 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
  6. 6 TP Tristan Peters LHB .313
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Tristan Peters
    • Four-Seam Fastball (19% usage) projects to .344 xwOBA over 142 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Sinker (18% usage) projects to .302 xwOBA over 82 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (16% usage) projects to .284 xwOBA over 37 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (14% usage) projects to .332 xwOBA over 40 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (9% usage) projects to .307 xwOBA over 53 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (8% usage) projects to .288 xwOBA over 54 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (7% usage) projects to .314 xwOBA over 15 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • SV (6% usage) projects to .319 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
    • CS (3% usage) projects to .319 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
  7. 7 AB Andrew Benintendi LHB .323
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Andrew Benintendi
    • Four-Seam Fastball (19% usage) projects to .328 xwOBA over 439 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sinker (18% usage) projects to .337 xwOBA over 217 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (16% usage) projects to .336 xwOBA over 72 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (14% usage) projects to .314 xwOBA over 107 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (9% usage) projects to .303 xwOBA over 199 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (8% usage) projects to .315 xwOBA over 192 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (7% usage) projects to .297 xwOBA over 81 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • SV (6% usage) projects to .322 xwOBA over 2 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • CS (3% usage) projects to .325 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
  8. 8 BM Braden Montgomery SH .321
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Braden Montgomery
    • Four-Seam Fastball (19% usage) projects to .355 xwOBA over 83 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Sinker (18% usage) projects to .289 xwOBA over 38 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (16% usage) projects to .318 xwOBA over 22 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (14% usage) projects to .346 xwOBA over 32 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Changeup (9% usage) projects to .266 xwOBA over 55 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
    • Slider (8% usage) projects to .307 xwOBA over 34 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Sweeper (7% usage) projects to .323 xwOBA over 18 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • SV (6% usage) projects to .345 xwOBA over limited BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
    • CS (3% usage) projects to .345 xwOBA over limited BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
  9. 9 RG Randal Grichuk RHB .317
    Pitch-by-pitch projection vs. Randal Grichuk
    • Four-Seam Fastball (19% usage) projects to .342 xwOBA over 257 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • Sinker (18% usage) projects to .339 xwOBA over 126 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Curveball (16% usage) projects to .307 xwOBA over 33 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Cutter (14% usage) projects to .299 xwOBA over 57 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Changeup (9% usage) projects to .308 xwOBA over 127 BIP — a roughly even matchup.
    • Slider (8% usage) projects to .267 xwOBA over 143 BIP — a clear edge for the pitcher.
    • Sweeper (7% usage) projects to .355 xwOBA over 50 BIP — a meaningful edge for the batter.
    • SV (6% usage) projects to .289 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
    • CS (3% usage) projects to .289 xwOBA over limited BIP — a roughly even matchup (zone profile imputed from overall vs-handedness wOBA — limited per-pitch-type data).
Seth Lugo vs White Sox: full season matchup breakdown →

Manager comparison

AWAY · CWS
Will Venable
Will Venable
Lineup 6.0 R Bunts 3.4 R IBBs 3.2 R
HOME · KC
Matt Quatraro
Matt Quatraro
Lineup 4.6 R Bunts 3.1 R IBBs 2.5 R

Bullpen availability

AWAY · CWS
  • Available 4
  • Limited 2
  • Rest required 1
  • Inactive 0
HOME · KC
  • Available 7
  • Limited 2
  • Rest required 0
  • Inactive 1

Recent form

AWAY · CWS
5-5 W2 +3 run diff
WWLWLLWLWL
HOME · KC
3-7 L4 -11 run diff
LLLLWLLLWW

Pitching & bullpen preview

Probable starters and each bullpen's availability load in the sections above — the White Sox and Royals staffs going in.

Once the game ends, a full pitching and bullpen breakdown appears here: starter lines, the relief sequence and each arm's role, pitch counts, and where the game turned.

Keep reading

How RunsLeft analyzes games

Standard content on this page comes from the MLB Stats API. The pitching analysis describes how the game was pitched — the starter's line, the bullpen sequence and each arm's role (opener, bulk, setup, closer), pitch counts as a fatigue signal, and the leverage context where the game turned. Reliever roles are inferred from how the manager used each arm up to that date. It describes structure and constraints; it does not grade the manager.

Read the full methodology.

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