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The Kansas City Royals will attempt to not get swept in their first series back from the All-Star break and stay above .500 when they take on the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday.
Yordano Ventura will take the mound for Kansas City. Ventura has pitched well during his rookie campaign, posting a 3.22 ERA with a 3.52 FIP. Ventura has not been as dominant as he was earlier in the year, but a 20.7 K% with a 7.1% BB% is nothing to be ashamed of.
Jon Lester will start the game for Boston. Lester is turning in the best season on his career, compiling a 2.61 ERA with a 2.61 FIP. He has upped his K% to 25.5% while lowering is BB% to 5.5%. Felix Hernandez is lapping the field right now, but Lester has been the second-best pitcher in the AL this year.
Brett Hayes gets the start today for Salvador Perez, while Danny Valencia gets the nod against the southpaw. Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star brings us the Royals lineup:
Straws Pulled At Random Lineup: Cain 8, Infante 4, Hosmer 3, Valencia 5, Gordon 7, Butler DH, Escobar 6, Hayes 2, Aoki 9, Ventura 1. #royals
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) July 20, 2014
Mike Napoli and Xander Bogaerts both have the day off, which is just fine with me. Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe brings us the Red Sox batting order:
#RedSox: Holt 3B, Nava LF, Pedroia 2B, Ortiz DH, Carp 1B, Victorino RF, Drew SS, Ross C, Bradley Jr. CF, Lester LHP
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) July 20, 2014
Let's hope they all go out and have fun on the field today.