Kansas City Royals vs
Boston Red SoxPredictions & Preview

Royals vs. Red Sox: Preview of Middle Game in Rivalry Series at Fenway Park

This article provides a preview of the middle game of a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox, two long-standing rivals on the baseball field. The Royals are coming off a win against Toronto, while the Red Sox swept a series against Houston. The prediction for the upcoming game between the two teams is analyzed by MLB cappers. Please note that this summary was written before the conclusion of the opening game of the series at Fenway Park on Monday night.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Royals +196 | Red Sox -230
• Spread: Royals +1.5 (-108) | Red Sox -1.5 (-111)
• Total: Over/Under 8 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Boston will win straight-up is 70%.

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals secured a victory against the Toronto Blue Jays, marking their fourth win in five games. With a current record of 56-56, they trail the Detroit Tigers by 8.5 games in the AL Central and are 3.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the final wild card spot in the American League. Kyle Isbel was a standout player with a run and an RBI, while the team had six hits overall. Seth Lugo and Hunter Harvey made notable pitching performances in the game. Ryan Bergert, who recently joined the team, will be starting in the upcoming game against the Red Sox, his first appearance at Fenway Park.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox extended their win streak to five games and won for the seventh time in eight games by defeating the Astros on Sunday afternoon. With a 62-51 record, they currently sit in second place in the AL East, three games behind the Blue Jays. The Red Sox hold the top wild card spot in the American League playoff race. In the game against Houston, Boston had eight hits, led by Ceddanne Rafaela's three hits and Trevor Story's two hits. Pitcher Lucas Giolito earned the win by throwing eight innings, allowing just one run on three hits with four strikeouts. Garrett Crochet will start for Boston in their upcoming game, with a 12-4 record and a 2.23 ERA for the season. In his last three starts, Crochet has a 3-0 record with a 1.29 ERA. He has a 1-1 record with a 1.62 ERA in eight career appearances against the Royals. Crochet has a 3-5 record with a 2.98 ERA in 13 career appearances at Fenway Park.

Bergert's Rookie Potential Tested Against Red Sox Offensive Power

Bergert has shown promising potential in his rookie season and may have an initial advantage against Boston hitters due to their lack of familiarity with him. However, he will be facing a formidable Boston team that has been performing exceptionally well over the past month. The Red Sox have demonstrated their offensive prowess with a strong record of 20-7 since July, securing a top wild card spot in the American League. On the other hand, Crochet has been a standout player in his debut season with Boston, leading the league in innings pitched. With an impressive record of 8-0, a 2.44 ERA, and 86 strikeouts in his last 10 starts, Crochet is well-positioned to continue his success against the Royals. Ultimately, the offensive strength of Boston combined with Crochet's pitching performance are likely to result in a win for the Red Sox.

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