With just a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals left before the All-Star break, the Red Sox are looking to solidify their position. Both teams remain contenders for the postseason as they head into the break.
The Red Sox currently hold the last wild-card spot, just one game ahead of the Royals. They have won 18 of their last 25 games, moving to within two games of the Yankees and 5.5 games behind the AL East-leading Orioles. Their latest victory was a 7-0 shutout against Oakland, marking their 13th game with at least three home runs. The Sox have excelled in these games, going 12-1.
Kansas City will start lefthander Cole Ragans in tonight’s opener, while Boston has yet to announce their starter.
Lineups
– Royals (51-43): TBA
Pitching: LHP Cole Ragans (5-6, 3.28 ERA)
– Red Sox (51-41):TBA
Pitching: TBA
Game Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV/Radio:** NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Red Sox vs. Ragans:
– Rafael Devers 0-3
– Tyler O’Neill 0-3
– Rob Refsnyder 0-2
– Connor Wong 1-2
– Masataka Yoshida 1-2
Stat of the Day: The Red Sox have recorded an AL-best 10 shutouts, trailing only the Braves (11) in MLB.
Notes:
– Masataka Yoshida is batting .346 with a .928 OPS and 12 RBIs in his last 14 games.
– The Red Sox have homered in six straight games and 18 of their last 20, hitting 35 home runs since June 17, second-most in MLB behind the Mets (36).
– Boston is 31-3 (.912) when recording at least 10 hits, having achieved this in 11 of their last 22 games.
– The Red Sox are 40-4 (.909) when scoring five or more runs, the second-best winning percentage in MLB behind the Mariners (29-2, .935). They’ve won their last 24 games when reaching this run total.
– Cole Ragans, headed to the All-Star Game, is one of three Royals pitchers ranking in the top 15 in AL ERA.