Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox prediction, pick for 8/27/25

The Royals are at Rate Field, wrapping up a three-game set in Chicago against the White Sox. The White Sox took the first game of the series, 7-0, on Monday night behind a strong start from Shane Smith, and they were up 4-0 through seven innings on Tuesday before the Royals stormed back to win, 5-4, after a game-winning hit from Kyle Isbel. Let’s take a look at what to expect from the final game of the series, which starts at 7:40 p.m. ET.

While the White Sox crashed out of the playoff race a while ago, they have had some promising young players step up over the last month. Still, they have the worst record in the AL at just 48-84 and are almost 20 games behind Kansas City, which is 68-65. The Royals are the first team out of the AL Wild Card race, three games behind the Seattle Mariners for the third and final AL playoff spot.

Since their record is so much better, the Royals are -136 road favorites, and the run total is 8.5. The weather is forecast to be a little cooler, with a gentle breeze blowing out to left field. Let’s preview this Wednesday matchup with the help of some odds and lines on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Royals vs. White Sox prediction, preview

Tonight’s pitching matchup features two players who were traded during the season. Aaron Civale will make the start for the White Sox, after being on the other side of the trade that sent Andrew Vaughn to the Brewers in June. Opposing Civale, Ryan Bergert will be making his fifth start since joining the Royals alongside Stephen Kolek in exchange for Freddy Fermin at the trade deadline.

Bergert has pitched into the sixth inning in each of his four starts for the Royals and has allowed two runs in each start, but he hasn’t been able to get a victory yet. He has a 2.82 ERA and 3.71 FIP with 22 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings across that span.

In one of those outings, Bergert went 5 1/3 innings against the White Sox, giving up just one earned run on six hits with seven strikeouts. He’ll hope for a similar outing but better results tonight.

Civale helped the Brewers through the early part of the season, when they battled multiple injuries in their rotation, before being dealt to Chicago. He went 2-4 in his first nine starts for Chicago with a 3.56 ERA and 4.06 FIP, but he has struggled in his last three outings, conceding a trio of runs in six innings of work against the Royals two weeks ago in Kansas City.

In those three starts, Civale is 0-2 after giving up 16 runs in 14 1/3 innings. He walked seven in those three outings, including four walks against the Twins last Friday. The 30-year-old has fairly even platoon splits, but he’s posted a 6.38 ERA at home, compared to just a 3.97 ERA on the road.

Royals catcher Salvador Perez has hit Civale well in the past, going six-for-19 (.316) with a pair of home runs against him in their past meetings.

Another red-hot hitter to work onto your betting card is Bobby Witt Jr., whom I highlighted in my MLB DFS picks for the day. Witt is on a 15-game hitting streak and has gone 17-for-59 (.390) with four doubles and two homers while adding four stolen bases to a .429 wOBA across that span.

For Chicago, I’m most intrigued by Kyle Teel, the centerpiece of the Garrett Crochet trade this past offseason. After an adjustment period, the 23-year-old lefty has been mashing for the White Sox, going 14-for-27 (.519) over his last seven games with a double, two home runs, and nine RBI.

Bergert has held lefties to a .161 batting average on the season, so Teel is about the only lefty I’d feel confident in playing from the White Sox on Wednesday night, but he has been hot enough to hit some of his props after Bergert departs.

Royals vs. White Sox pick, best bet

Best Bet: Bobby Witt Jr. 3+ Hits + Runs + RBI (+110)

Witt has a total of 44 HRR (Hits + Runs + RBI) over his last 15 games and has gone over this HRR total in six of his last eight contests. With his good history against Civale and what should be a high-scoring game, getting him at plus money to collect three HRR feels like great value.

Strong Lean: Ryan Bergert over 15.5 outs recorded (+115)

Bergert has gone over this total in each of his five starts with the Royals, recording 17, 17, 16, and 17 outs in his four starts with his new club. It could be close, but if he was able to get at least 16 outs against both the Red Sox and Tigers on the road, I think he has a good shot at delivering on this plus-money prop against the White Sox.