Boston has posted a 5-1 record in its last six games against Baltimore and Seattle. With a four-game series starting with the Kansas City Royals on Monday, Sox hurlers should continue their success this week.
Jon Lester returns to the mound on Monday in his first start since being put on the disabled list with a strained lat muscle. Lester has already eclipsed the 10-win mark and will be on an 80-pitch pitch count in the series opener.
Last week, Andrew Miller, John Lackey and Josh Beckett all put together solid outings and relieved an overworked bullpen. Miller, who lasted 5 2/3 innings in Baltimore, gave up just two hits and no runs. Matt Albers, Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon closed the door the rest of the way, not allowing a hit.
Lackey, who has pitched well in his last few starts, took the mound in the series opener against Seattle Friday opposite Felix Hernandez. Lackey shined again, scattering eight hits over seven innings and did not surrender a run for his eighth win.
Beckett threw seven innings of his own the following night, giving up just one run on seven hits en route to his ninth win. The three quality starts took some stress off the bullpen as Boston enters another week against another club below .500.
Lester gets things started this week as the Sox look to post back-to-back sweeps.