In the last of a four-game series between the Boston Red Sox (56-67) and the Kansas City Royals (74-48) at Fenway Park, Eduardo Rodriguez (7-5, 4.48 ERA) and Edinson Volquez (11-7, 3.20 ERA) get the start. The Royals won the last game 6-3 and Boston leads the series 2-1. The game gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 23 and will air on FSKC and NESN.
In his most recent outing, Rodriguez pitched 8.0 innings, giving up one run and striking out five in a 9-1 victory over the Indians. David Ortiz (.267, 55 Rs, 26 HRs, 75 RBIs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 2 for 2. The Royals were unsuccessful to the Reds 3-1 the last time Volquez pitched. He went 6.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out seven and walking three. Lorenzo Cain (.307, 76 Rs, 12 HRs, 54 RBIs, 24 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Royals, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. Boston has averaged 8.3 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.5. The Red Sox typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an impressive 3.0 walks per game.
Kansas City is one of the top hitting teams in the AL with an average of 9.1 hits per contest. Kansas City is a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in the MLB with 82 stolen bases.
The Red Sox have gotten the best of the Royals in head-to-head matchups this season, going 4-2. The Red Sox will take on a right-hander (Volquez) in this game and have a 42-46 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Rodriguez will take the mound against the Royals, who have a 23-20 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – KC, O/U – Over
Notes
The Red Sox are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Royals have a 44-34 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Red Sox are 11-56. The Royals have an 11-39 record when opponents outhit them.
Kansas City ranks near the bottom of the league at 26th when it comes to home runs, hitting 96 this season. Boston ranks in the top half at 14th with 119.
Boston and Kansas City both rank in the top five of the league in hits. Boston sits at second with 9.20 hits per game and Kansas City ranks third with 9.12.
Ranking 11th, Kansas City is in the top half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.727). Boston ranks in the top 10 at sixth with an OPS of .740.
The Royals are 34-33 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Red Sox are 29-56 when they allow at least one homer.
