Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (67) on the mound during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images No matter the season or personnel, the Kansas City Royals have dominated the Chicago White Sox at home in recent years.
Looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat, the Royals will aim for a 15th straight home victory over the White Sox in the opener of a four-game set Thursday night.
Since Aug. 10, 2022, Kansas City is 22-2 vs. the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium and has not lost to its American League Central rival there since Sept. 6, 2023. Perhaps more impressive, the Royals have outscored Chicago 71-17 during their 14-game home winning streak in the series.
However, these Royals have scuffled out of the gate, losing seven of the first 12 games in 2026. After winning 4-2 at Cleveland on Monday, Kansas City managed three runs, six hits, went 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position and struck out 28 times in losing the final two contests of that three-game set.
“It’s just getting a good plan at the plate,” star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. told the Royals’ official website. “Apply pressure to other teams. Got to get back to doing that. … Just time to get back to playing our baseball.”
Witt went 4-for-22 as the Royals split a six-game homestand against Minnesota and Milwaukee earlier this month. However, he’s batting .476 with four home runs and 18 RBIs during a 21-game hitting streak against the White Sox.
Thursday’s scheduled Kansas City starter, Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.59 ERA), has yielded just five earned runs over 34 1/3 innings in going 3-0 in five career starts vs. Chicago.
The veteran right-hander is off to a solid start in 2026. He allowed his first two runs of the season on Saturday during an 8-2 win over the Brewers, an outing that spanned five innings, 103 pitches and included seven strikeouts.
“Fouled off a lot of pitches, drove my pitch count up,” Lugo said. “But got through five. That’s OK. Obviously, I want to pitch deeper.”
He might be able to go deeper against a White Sox group that totaled six runs while being swept in a three-game home set by Baltimore this week. Chicago managed just 17 hits in the series but lost those three games by a total margin of five runs.
“With all our guys, we’re fighting every day to figure out how to support them to be at their best,” White Sox manager Will Venable said.
Second baseman Chase Meidroth was one of the few Chicago hitters off to a solid start, batting .270 before going 0-for-4 in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the Orioles. Meidroth is hitless in seven career at-bats vs. Lugo.
Teammate and ex-Royal Andrew Benintendi is batting just .194 with 14 strikeouts in 11 games this season, but he’s 3-for-10 all time against Lugo.
Chicago is slated to start Anthony Kay (0-0, 4.00 ERA), who has allowed only a two-run homer in each of his first two outings of 2026. The left-hander, who broke into the majors in 2019 with Toronto, has just four career wins, with his most recent coming in 2021.
Kay’s only career appearance against the Royals came with the Blue Jays in 2021, when he yielded five runs and six hits over 3 1/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Seth Lugo (67) on the mound during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images No matter the season or personnel, the Kansas City Royals have dominated the Chicago White Sox at home in recent years.
Looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat, the Royals will aim for a 15th straight home victory over the White Sox in the opener of a four-game set Thursday night.
Since Aug. 10, 2022, Kansas City is 22-2 vs. the White Sox at Kauffman Stadium and has not lost to its American League Central rival there since Sept. 6, 2023. Perhaps more impressive, the Royals have outscored Chicago 71-17 during their 14-game home winning streak in the series.
However, these Royals have scuffled out of the gate, losing seven of the first 12 games in 2026. After winning 4-2 at Cleveland on Monday, Kansas City managed three runs, six hits, went 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position and struck out 28 times in losing the final two contests of that three-game set.
“It’s just getting a good plan at the plate,” star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. told the Royals’ official website. “Apply pressure to other teams. Got to get back to doing that. … Just time to get back to playing our baseball.”
Witt went 4-for-22 as the Royals split a six-game homestand against Minnesota and Milwaukee earlier this month. However, he’s batting .476 with four home runs and 18 RBIs during a 21-game hitting streak against the White Sox.
Thursday’s scheduled Kansas City starter, Seth Lugo (1-0, 1.59 ERA), has yielded just five earned runs over 34 1/3 innings in going 3-0 in five career starts vs. Chicago.
The veteran right-hander is off to a solid start in 2026. He allowed his first two runs of the season on Saturday during an 8-2 win over the Brewers, an outing that spanned five innings, 103 pitches and included seven strikeouts.
“Fouled off a lot of pitches, drove my pitch count up,” Lugo said. “But got through five. That’s OK. Obviously, I want to pitch deeper.”
He might be able to go deeper against a White Sox group that totaled six runs while being swept in a three-game home set by Baltimore this week. Chicago managed just 17 hits in the series but lost those three games by a total margin of five runs.
“With all our guys, we’re fighting every day to figure out how to support them to be at their best,” White Sox manager Will Venable said.
Second baseman Chase Meidroth was one of the few Chicago hitters off to a solid start, batting .270 before going 0-for-4 in Wednesday’s 5-3 loss to the Orioles. Meidroth is hitless in seven career at-bats vs. Lugo.
Teammate and ex-Royal Andrew Benintendi is batting just .194 with 14 strikeouts in 11 games this season, but he’s 3-for-10 all time against Lugo.
Chicago is slated to start Anthony Kay (0-0, 4.00 ERA), who has allowed only a two-run homer in each of his first two outings of 2026. The left-hander, who broke into the majors in 2019 with Toronto, has just four career wins, with his most recent coming in 2021.
Kay’s only career appearance against the Royals came with the Blue Jays in 2021, when he yielded five runs and six hits over 3 1/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
![The Masters Odds and Predictions: Top Picks for Augusta National | Deadspin.com Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] There will be no Tiger on the course. Phil won’t be waving to the gallery.But golf will go on at Augusta National.The Masters is typically filled with intense drama, great storylines and some of the best shot-making you will see all year. The action starts Thursday — without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time since 1994.This year’s tourney has a tough act to follow after Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff in 2025. The victory gave McIlroy his first Green Jacket and allowed him to complete the career slam. He’s battling back woes as he looks to be a repeat winner.Scottie Scheffler is the favorite in any tournament he enters, but isn’t in peak form yet this season. That could all change in a span of a few holes with Scheffler, who enters the tournament No. 1 in the world for the fifth year in a row. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young are among those hoping to be sized up for a jacket on Sunday.Not the familiar faces, it’s breakthrough timeScheffler (+495 to win) is looking for his third Green Jacket but he’s tied for 12th, tied for 24th and tied for 22th (at The Players) in his last three tourneys. He’s had a golf break due to the birth of his second child and this week feels more like a top-10 finish (-192) for the world’s best player.The pressure is off McIlroy (+1175) but it’s hard to trust his back when there are so many other options. Rahm (+910) won the Masters in 2023 and DeChambeau (+1050) was in the hunt last year before a final-round 75 dropped him into a tie for fifth.Schauffele (+1800) is playing well lately and figures to win at Augusta at some point but Young (+2300) could be ready for his big breakthrough despite missing the cut last year with a 72-79. Young, 28, has six top-10 finishes in majors (including two at Augusta) and is a hot golfer with three straight top-10 showings, including winning The Players.Cameron Young to win the tournament, +2300 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Sizzling Ludvig Aberg is prime top-five candidateRahm (+175 top five), DeChambeau (+210), Schauffele (+300) and Rose (+800) are all guys who will enter Sunday in the mix and you can figure one of these guys will finish among the top five. Schauffele finished third at The Players and tied for fourth one week later at the Valspar Championship while Rose has seven top-10 finishes at the Masters, including two solo seconds and one tie for second.Ludvig Aberg (+1650) finished second at the Masters in 2024 and tied for seventh last year and is playing superbly right now with three straight top-five finishes. He’s another guy that could be in the mix on Sunday.You can’t overlook the defending champion or the guy who has won two of the past three. McIlroy is going to fight to defend his title and even a Scheffler not in elite form could bag a fifth-place finish.Ludvig Aberg to finish in the top five, +1650 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Tommy Fleetwood has this top-10 thing downTommy Fleetwood (+166) tied for third at Augusta in 2024 and has eight top-10 finishes in majors despite never winning one. He has four top-finishes in five events this season so he’s a strong candidate.Chris Gotterup (+305) is in his first Masters thanks to his breakthrough season that includes two victories. Then again, he had troubles at Pebble Beach (tied for 37th) and The Players (tied for 56th) and missed the Genesis Invitational cut.Guys like Patrick Reed (+295), Justin Thomas (+375) and reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (+420) are possibilities. But Fleetwood seems like the best bet out of this group.Tommy Fleetwood to finish in the top 10, +166 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ #Masters #Odds #Predictions #Top #Picks #Augusta #National #Deadspin.com](https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1775744519384 "The Masters Odds and Predictions: Top Picks for Augusta National | Deadspin.com Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] There will be no Tiger on the course. Phil won’t be waving to the gallery.But golf will go on at Augusta National.The Masters is typically filled with intense drama, great storylines and some of the best shot-making you will see all year. The action starts Thursday — without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time since 1994.This year’s tourney has a tough act to follow after Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff in 2025. The victory gave McIlroy his first Green Jacket and allowed him to complete the career slam. He’s battling back woes as he looks to be a repeat winner.Scottie Scheffler is the favorite in any tournament he enters, but isn’t in peak form yet this season. That could all change in a span of a few holes with Scheffler, who enters the tournament No. 1 in the world for the fifth year in a row. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young are among those hoping to be sized up for a jacket on Sunday.Not the familiar faces, it’s breakthrough timeScheffler (+495 to win) is looking for his third Green Jacket but he’s tied for 12th, tied for 24th and tied for 22th (at The Players) in his last three tourneys. He’s had a golf break due to the birth of his second child and this week feels more like a top-10 finish (-192) for the world’s best player.The pressure is off McIlroy (+1175) but it’s hard to trust his back when there are so many other options. Rahm (+910) won the Masters in 2023 and DeChambeau (+1050) was in the hunt last year before a final-round 75 dropped him into a tie for fifth.Schauffele (+1800) is playing well lately and figures to win at Augusta at some point but Young (+2300) could be ready for his big breakthrough despite missing the cut last year with a 72-79. Young, 28, has six top-10 finishes in majors (including two at Augusta) and is a hot golfer with three straight top-10 showings, including winning The Players.Cameron Young to win the tournament, +2300 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Sizzling Ludvig Aberg is prime top-five candidateRahm (+175 top five), DeChambeau (+210), Schauffele (+300) and Rose (+800) are all guys who will enter Sunday in the mix and you can figure one of these guys will finish among the top five. Schauffele finished third at The Players and tied for fourth one week later at the Valspar Championship while Rose has seven top-10 finishes at the Masters, including two solo seconds and one tie for second.Ludvig Aberg (+1650) finished second at the Masters in 2024 and tied for seventh last year and is playing superbly right now with three straight top-five finishes. He’s another guy that could be in the mix on Sunday.You can’t overlook the defending champion or the guy who has won two of the past three. McIlroy is going to fight to defend his title and even a Scheffler not in elite form could bag a fifth-place finish.Ludvig Aberg to finish in the top five, +1650 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Tommy Fleetwood has this top-10 thing downTommy Fleetwood (+166) tied for third at Augusta in 2024 and has eight top-10 finishes in majors despite never winning one. He has four top-finishes in five events this season so he’s a strong candidate.Chris Gotterup (+305) is in his first Masters thanks to his breakthrough season that includes two victories. Then again, he had troubles at Pebble Beach (tied for 37th) and The Players (tied for 56th) and missed the Genesis Invitational cut.Guys like Patrick Reed (+295), Justin Thomas (+375) and reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (+420) are possibilities. But Fleetwood seems like the best bet out of this group.Tommy Fleetwood to finish in the top 10, +166 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ #Masters #Odds #Predictions #Top #Picks #Augusta #National #Deadspin.com")
![The Masters Odds and Predictions: Top Picks for Augusta National | Deadspin.com Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] There will be no Tiger on the course. Phil won’t be waving to the gallery.But golf will go on at Augusta National.The Masters is typically filled with intense drama, great storylines and some of the best shot-making you will see all year. The action starts Thursday — without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time since 1994.This year’s tourney has a tough act to follow after Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff in 2025. The victory gave McIlroy his first Green Jacket and allowed him to complete the career slam. He’s battling back woes as he looks to be a repeat winner.Scottie Scheffler is the favorite in any tournament he enters, but isn’t in peak form yet this season. That could all change in a span of a few holes with Scheffler, who enters the tournament No. 1 in the world for the fifth year in a row. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young are among those hoping to be sized up for a jacket on Sunday.Not the familiar faces, it’s breakthrough timeScheffler (+495 to win) is looking for his third Green Jacket but he’s tied for 12th, tied for 24th and tied for 22th (at The Players) in his last three tourneys. He’s had a golf break due to the birth of his second child and this week feels more like a top-10 finish (-192) for the world’s best player.The pressure is off McIlroy (+1175) but it’s hard to trust his back when there are so many other options. Rahm (+910) won the Masters in 2023 and DeChambeau (+1050) was in the hunt last year before a final-round 75 dropped him into a tie for fifth.Schauffele (+1800) is playing well lately and figures to win at Augusta at some point but Young (+2300) could be ready for his big breakthrough despite missing the cut last year with a 72-79. Young, 28, has six top-10 finishes in majors (including two at Augusta) and is a hot golfer with three straight top-10 showings, including winning The Players.Cameron Young to win the tournament, +2300 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Sizzling Ludvig Aberg is prime top-five candidateRahm (+175 top five), DeChambeau (+210), Schauffele (+300) and Rose (+800) are all guys who will enter Sunday in the mix and you can figure one of these guys will finish among the top five. Schauffele finished third at The Players and tied for fourth one week later at the Valspar Championship while Rose has seven top-10 finishes at the Masters, including two solo seconds and one tie for second.Ludvig Aberg (+1650) finished second at the Masters in 2024 and tied for seventh last year and is playing superbly right now with three straight top-five finishes. He’s another guy that could be in the mix on Sunday.You can’t overlook the defending champion or the guy who has won two of the past three. McIlroy is going to fight to defend his title and even a Scheffler not in elite form could bag a fifth-place finish.Ludvig Aberg to finish in the top five, +1650 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Tommy Fleetwood has this top-10 thing downTommy Fleetwood (+166) tied for third at Augusta in 2024 and has eight top-10 finishes in majors despite never winning one. He has four top-finishes in five events this season so he’s a strong candidate.Chris Gotterup (+305) is in his first Masters thanks to his breakthrough season that includes two victories. Then again, he had troubles at Pebble Beach (tied for 37th) and The Players (tied for 56th) and missed the Genesis Invitational cut.Guys like Patrick Reed (+295), Justin Thomas (+375) and reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (+420) are possibilities. But Fleetwood seems like the best bet out of this group.Tommy Fleetwood to finish in the top 10, +166 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ #Masters #Odds #Predictions #Top #Picks #Augusta #National #Deadspin.com](https://i1.wp.com/images.deadspin.com/tr:w-1200/1775744519384?ssl=1 "The Masters Odds and Predictions: Top Picks for Augusta National | Deadspin.com Tommy Fleetwood tees off on the fifth hole during the third round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] There will be no Tiger on the course. Phil won’t be waving to the gallery.But golf will go on at Augusta National.The Masters is typically filled with intense drama, great storylines and some of the best shot-making you will see all year. The action starts Thursday — without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson for the first time since 1994.This year’s tourney has a tough act to follow after Rory McIlroy defeated Justin Rose in a playoff in 2025. The victory gave McIlroy his first Green Jacket and allowed him to complete the career slam. He’s battling back woes as he looks to be a repeat winner.Scottie Scheffler is the favorite in any tournament he enters, but isn’t in peak form yet this season. That could all change in a span of a few holes with Scheffler, who enters the tournament No. 1 in the world for the fifth year in a row. Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele and Cameron Young are among those hoping to be sized up for a jacket on Sunday.Not the familiar faces, it’s breakthrough timeScheffler (+495 to win) is looking for his third Green Jacket but he’s tied for 12th, tied for 24th and tied for 22th (at The Players) in his last three tourneys. He’s had a golf break due to the birth of his second child and this week feels more like a top-10 finish (-192) for the world’s best player.The pressure is off McIlroy (+1175) but it’s hard to trust his back when there are so many other options. Rahm (+910) won the Masters in 2023 and DeChambeau (+1050) was in the hunt last year before a final-round 75 dropped him into a tie for fifth.Schauffele (+1800) is playing well lately and figures to win at Augusta at some point but Young (+2300) could be ready for his big breakthrough despite missing the cut last year with a 72-79. Young, 28, has six top-10 finishes in majors (including two at Augusta) and is a hot golfer with three straight top-10 showings, including winning The Players.Cameron Young to win the tournament, +2300 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Sizzling Ludvig Aberg is prime top-five candidateRahm (+175 top five), DeChambeau (+210), Schauffele (+300) and Rose (+800) are all guys who will enter Sunday in the mix and you can figure one of these guys will finish among the top five. Schauffele finished third at The Players and tied for fourth one week later at the Valspar Championship while Rose has seven top-10 finishes at the Masters, including two solo seconds and one tie for second.Ludvig Aberg (+1650) finished second at the Masters in 2024 and tied for seventh last year and is playing superbly right now with three straight top-five finishes. He’s another guy that could be in the mix on Sunday.You can’t overlook the defending champion or the guy who has won two of the past three. McIlroy is going to fight to defend his title and even a Scheffler not in elite form could bag a fifth-place finish.Ludvig Aberg to finish in the top five, +1650 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ Tommy Fleetwood has this top-10 thing downTommy Fleetwood (+166) tied for third at Augusta in 2024 and has eight top-10 finishes in majors despite never winning one. He has four top-finishes in five events this season so he’s a strong candidate.Chris Gotterup (+305) is in his first Masters thanks to his breakthrough season that includes two victories. Then again, he had troubles at Pebble Beach (tied for 37th) and The Players (tied for 56th) and missed the Genesis Invitational cut.Guys like Patrick Reed (+295), Justin Thomas (+375) and reigning U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (+420) are possibilities. But Fleetwood seems like the best bet out of this group.Tommy Fleetwood to finish in the top 10, +166 (DraftKings) Our Current Best Offers1UnderdogClaim your Special Pick via Code + First Time Deposit up to $250 in bonus!T&Cs apply, 18+2ParlayPlay100% up to $100T&Cs apply, 18+3OwnersBox100% up to $500T&Cs apply, 18+4FanDuel Fantasy$65 value with just a $10+ depositT&Cs apply, 18+ #Masters #Odds #Predictions #Top #Picks #Augusta #National #Deadspin.com")