Royals V. Red Sox: Game CXXVIII Thread

The Kansas City Royals have been on a tear lately. Winners of 15 of their last 18, they have gone from being mired in a middling season to having a breath of life in playoff contention. Four games back of the AL Wild Card, they start a three-game series this weekend against the Boston Red Sox, one of the teams ahead of them.

Ian Kennedy (8-9. 3.58 ERA) twirls for Kansas City. He hasn't quite been what the Royals may have expected, as his up-and-down struggles have vastly deflated his overall numbers. He's been good as of late, as has the rest of the starting rotation. It is hard to be displeased with a 3.58 ERA, but the FIP (4.80) and xFIP (4.54) leaves much to be desired.

The Diamond City Red Sox counter with Steven Wright (13-5, 3.01 ERA), and he's a neat story to boot. A longtime minor league pitcher who finally got some opportunities and is making the most of them.

It'll be a good series, and if the Royals can take 2 of 3 it sets them up very nicely going into the final month. They are still on the outside looking in at this point, and need another serious run to get their name firmly in the mix. It could start this weekend.

LINEUPS

Ian Kennedy gets the ball as the #Royals battle the Red Sox in Boston at 6:10 CT. https://t.co/t7pc7TAMOM pic.twitter.com/5RZlZJS4eq

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 26, 2016

#BigPapi and the #RedSox return to Boston to start series vs Royals at 7:10 ET. https://t.co/7gVdQ8Gl3a pic.twitter.com/3syao432nF

— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) August 26, 2016