Red Sox Received Big Assist From Upcoming AL Opponent

The Boston Red Sox may thank the Kansas City Royals before beginning a three-game set on Monday.

Boston enters the series three games back in the American League East standings. The Red Sox just gained two games on the Toronto Blue Jays with Kansas City’s help.

While the Red Sox swept the Houston Astros, the Royals took two of three from the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.

A familiar name helped Boston on Friday night. Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, went yard in his Royals debut during a 9-3 win. Former Boston pitcher Michael Wacha allowed one run over eight excellent innings.

Max Scherzer pitched Toronto to a Saturday victory, but Kansas City won Sunday’s rubber match. The Royals scored five runs off Seranthony Dominguez, acquired from the Baltimore Orioles before the trade deadline, during the 10th inning.

Toronto led Boston by 7.5 games as recently as July 26, but the Blue Jays have since lost six of their last eight. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have won seven of their previous eight.

The Royals aren’t merely playing spoiler. Although they trail the Detroit Tigers by 8.5 games in the American League Central, they’re 3.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the last wild-card spot after winning seven of their last 10 games.

Instead of trading Seth Lugo before the trade deadline, the Royals signed the 35-year-old pitcher to a two-year extension. They made modest upgrades by acquiring Yastrzemski and Bailey Falter, who will make his team debut against the Red Sox on Monday night.

The Royals can climb over .500 for the first time since June 10 by defeating Brayan Bello and the Red Sox to start the series at Fenway Park. Monday’s matchup begins at 7:10 p.m. ET.