This game could be low scoring as Ian Kennedy (4-3, 3.25 ERA) and the Kansas City Royals (19-19) meet Steven Wright (3-3, 2.36 ERA) and the Boston Red Sox (24-15) in the third of a four-game series at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won the last game 8-4, and Kansas City leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 2:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May. 18 and will air on NESN and FSKC.
In his most recent outing, Kennedy pitched 6.1 innings, allowing seven runs, striking out six and walking three in a 7-3 loss to the Yankees. Eric Hosmer (.336, 20 Rs, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Red Sox were also unsuccessful the last time Wright pitched. He did not do well, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing five runs, striking out three and walking two in a 7-6 loss to the Astros. Jackie Bradley Jr. (.333, 20 Rs, 6 HRs, 31 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one RBI.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The most recent 10-game stretch for the Royals has gone great. Over that span, Kansas City is averaging 0.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 0.0. The Royals are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 28 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Kansas City’s pitching staff has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game dropped to 0.0 during that span, compared to its 0.0 season average.
The Red Sox are the number one overall scoring offense in the AL, averaging 0.0 runs per game so far. Boston is the top hitting team in the AL with an average of 10.6 hits per contest. Boston is a terror on the base paths, ranking second in the MLB with 30 stolen bases. Boston’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0. They also allow just 7.3 hits per road game, good for fourth in the AL.
So far this season, the Royals are 1-0 against the Red Sox.
Predictions: SU Winner – BOS
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Boston is 14-5, while Kansas City is 7-9.
The Red Sox managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Royals who are heading in with an 8-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Royals are 14-7. The Red Sox have a 23-3 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking first in runs, Boston has earned 233 this season. Kansas City ranks 27th with 139 runs.
Ranking 30th, Kansas City is at the bottom of the league in walks, notching 89 this season. Boston ranks in the top half at 13th with 125.
The Royals are 15-10 when they hit at least one home run. The Red Sox perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 19-10 record.
