Josh Beckett and reigning Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke will toe the slab opposite one another. While the two aces figure to draw plenty of attention at Kauffman Stadium, many might still be buzzing about the opener of the set Friday night.
After honoring Greinke in a ceremony before the game, the Royals fell behind 3-0 against Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Consecutive home runs in the sixth by Billy Butler and Rick Ankiel trimmed the gap, and a two-run single by Ankiel in the eighth propelled Kansas City to a dramatic 4-3 win.
The wild affair saw Boston designated hitter David Ortiz get tossed and the Sox’ bullpen blow a lead for the third straight game.
Boston is now 7-10 in Kansas City since 2005.
The Royals’ win Friday came in the first of seven games between the teams this season. Boston is now 91-117 all-time in Kansas City.
RHP Josh Beckett (0-0, 9.64 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (0-0, 1.50 ERA)
One of Beckett’s two shutouts last season came against the Royals at Fenway Park. His one appearance in Kauffman Stadium resulted in him giving up a season-high 12 hits.
Overall, however, Beckett is 5-0 with a 2.03 ERA in seven career starts against Kansas City. He has walked just nine Royals and has yet to give up a home run in 48 2/3 innings.
Greinke yielded just two hits in six scoreless innings in his lone start vs. Boston last year, a 5-1 win at home.
Red Sox | Royals |
---|---|
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF Dustin Pedroia, 2B Victor Martinez, DH Kevin Youkilis, 1B J.D. Drew, RF Mike Lowell, 3B Jeremy Hermida, RF Jason Varitek, C Marco Scutaro, SS |
David DeJesus, RF Scott Podsednik, LF Alberto Callaspo, 3B Billy Butler, 1B Rick Ankiel CF Jose Guillen, DH Jason Kendall, C Yuniesky Betancourt, SS Chris Getz, 2B |
Red Sox
Royals
Royals
Although there have been two off-days mixed in, Boston has not won a game in five days overall. It may have to get to the best starter in the league to end that slide or else we could be looking at the first four-game losing streak of the year.
Expect to finally see a few of the reserves get some action, meaning the Sox will not have their optimal lineup in against Greinke. It looks like a great time for Beckett to continue his mastery of the light-hitting Royals.