Red Sox Vs. Royals Lineups: Cooper Criswell Recalled To Start

The Boston Red Sox made a roster tweak before opening up a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park on Friday night — the team’s final series before entering the All-Star break.

Boston recalled right-handed pitcher Cooper Criswell from Triple-A, fresh off the 27-year-old’s six scoreless innings tossed for Worcester. Criswell allowed just one hit against the Syracuse Mets while walking none and striking out eight, capping off a performance in which Criswell struck out five of the first 12 batters he encountered and facing the minimum of hitters through the first four innings.

Criswell hasn’t pitched for the Red Sox since June 15. As a corresponding roster move, Boston optioned right-handed pitcher Trey Wingenter.

The Red Sox entered Friday night having won 17 of their last 25 games, more than anyone else in MLB. With Kansas City trailing Boston by one game for the final wild-card spot in the American League, the Red Sox could create some much-needed separation and breathing room this weekend, which would especially help since the New York Yankees — who lead the wild-card race — lead Boston by only 3 1/2 games.

First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, which you can watch, along with an hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.

Here are the starting lineups for Boston and Kansas City:

BOSTON RED SOX (51-41)
Rob Refsnyder, RF
Jarren Duran, LF
Tyler O’Neill, DH
Rafael Devers, 3B
Connor Wong, C
Romy González, 1B
Jamie Westbrook, 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
David Hamilton, SS

Cooper Criswell, RHP (3-3, 4.15 ERA)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (51-43)
Adam Frazier, DH
Bobby Witt Jr., SS
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
Salvador Perez, C
Michael Massey, 2B
Hunter Renfroe, RF
MJ Melendez, LF
Maikel Garcia, 3B
Kyle Isbel, CF

Cole Ragans, LHP (5-6, 3.28 ERA)