The Boston Red Sox will hit the road for a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals. The Red Sox are coming off their worst season series, being swept by the Houston Astros in three games and outscored 26-11. The Royals are also entering this series after being swept; they were swept in three games by the Pittsburgh Pirates and were outscored 15-4. The Red Sox won their four-game series over the Royals in early August, taking three games and outscoring them 15-14.
Boston Red Sox (69-65) vs. Kansas City Royals (41-94)
Game 1:
Date: Friday, September 1
Time: 8:10 pm EST
Broadcast: NESN
Game 2:
Date: Saturday, September 2
Time: 7:10 pm EST
Broadcast: NESN
Game 3:
Date: Sunday, September 3
Time: 2:10 pm EST
Broadcast: NESN
Probable Pitching Matchups
Game 1: James Paxton (7-4, 3.99 ERA) vs. Jordan Lyles (3-15, 6.51 ERA)
Paxton will get the ball to start the series against the Royals, making his 19th start of the season. He posts a 4.37 FIP, a 1.25 WHIP, a 2.9 BB/9, and a 9.6 K/9. In his last start against the Dodgers, he gave up four runs on four hits; he walked five and struck out four in 4.1 innings. In his career against the Royals, he has made eight starts, going 4-0 with a 1.51 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and an 11.8 K.9. Paxton will face Jordan Lyles for the Royals, making his 26th start of the season and this season he posts a 5.82 FIP, a 1.30 WHIP, a 2.5 BB/9, and a 6.1 K/9. Lyles has made ten starts against the Red Sox, going 2-3 with a 6.66 ERA, a 1.79 WHIP, and a 7.4 K.9.
Game 2: Tanner Houck (3-8, 4.93 ERA) vs. TBD
Houck will get the middle game for the Red Sox, making his 16th season start. He posts a 4.48 FIP, a 1.29 WHIP, a 3.3 BB/9, and an 8.2 K/9. His last start came against the Dodgers, in which he gave up one run on five hits; he walked two and struck out four in four innings of work. Houck has never faced the Royals in his career. The starting pitcher for the Royals has not been announced yet.
Game 3: Chris Sale (5-3, 4.75 ERA) vs. Zack Greinke (1-13, 5.28 ERA)
Sale will get the finale, making his 16th start of the season. He posts a 3.75 FIP, a 1.18 WHIP, a 2.4 BB/9, and an 11.1 K/9. He last pitched against the Astros, going 4.2 innings giving up three runs on seven hits; he walked two and struck out six; Sale left the game with the lead, but the Red Sox would lose the game. In his career against the Royals, he has made 35 appearances with 24 starts, going 12-10 with a 2.86 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, and a 9.5 K/9. Sale will oppose Zack Greinke, who is making his 25th appearance and 24th start. He posts a 4.93 FIP, a 1.26 WHIP, a 1.3 BB/9, and a 6.0 K/9. In his career against the Red Sox, he has appeared in 11 games, making ten starts, going 2-6 with a 5.43 ERA, a 1.57 WHIP, and a 6.3 K/9.
Red Sox vs. Royals Batting Leaders
Series Prediction:
After the series with the Astros, this series is a must-sweep for the Red Sox to salvage any chances they want at making the playoffs. The pitching matchups also favor the Red Sox in every way as long as Red Sox manager Alex Cora allows the starters to go more than 4.2 innings. The Royals have not been good this season, so I have the Red Sox taking a sweep this weekend before they head to Tampa Bay to face the Rays.
