Game One Hundred and Sixteen: Boston Red Sox at Kansas City Royals

Can the Royals salvage one?

The Boston Red Stockings are in town as Kansas City looks to avert a sweep with a win tonight. Boston has had KC’s number this season as they have won four of the first five meetings of the season series.

The Royals will start staff ace Cole Ragans. I know Seth Lugo has had the better season by some measures, but Ragans is the better pitcher, and I will stand by that. He has a 4.67 ERA in three starts since the break, but in his last start prior, he helped the Royals earn their only win over Boston this season. He allowed just one run over seven innings while striking out seven.

The Red Sox will counter with Kutter Crawford. Assuming he can record at least two outs, Crawford will surpass his career-high in innings tonight. He has struggled even more than Ragans has since All-Star week, posting a 9.60 ERA while allowing 12 homers (!) in 15 innings. Also like Ragans, he was excellent in his prior start when he tossed seven scoreless against Kansas City.

First pitch: 7:10 pm CDT

Royals lineup

Red Sox lineup