Let’s do it again!
August was going to be hard. This much was clear in April. Even when the Houston Astros were back to the Lastros in the early going. And after some big moves this winter, the Kansas City Royals became good again. They are literally standing in the way of the Wild Card. So these games are important.
Don’t look now but Brayan Bello is on a bit of a roll. The Red Sox have won five of his last six starts. He’s allowed more than 3 runs just once over that span and pitching into the 7th inning four times. He’s struck out 7 or more four times too. It’s still not where he might end up eventually as a pitcher but he’s keeping the Sox in the game. And with the bats piling up runs, that’s the goal.
Royals pitcher Seth Lugo faced Boston on 7/13 and didn’t enjoy it. Five runs in five innings with 10 hits and even 6 strikeouts. This year has been great for Lugo. Hes struck out has a 2.57 ERA / 3.31 FIP and is leading the league in innings, ERA, stars, pitcher wins, batters faced…it’s everything the Royals would have hoped for. But Boston had his number. And with the lefty bats like Masataka Yoshida really getting into gear over the past few weeks he might not have better luck now.
Alex Cora is rolling out the same lineup again tonight. Is this…consistency? Sure Jarren Duran has been a fixture in every game – and often but not always leading off – but the rest of the offense has rotated in and out a lot.
First pitch is at 8:10 PM ET on WEEI and NESN.