Red Sox Vs. Royals Lineups: Nick Sogard Starts In Critical Series Opener

The Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals meet for a three-game series for the second time in under a month, this time at Kauffman Stadium. The contending clubs clash again with significant American League playoff implications at stake in the standings.

The Royals took the opener at Fenway Park back in July before the Red Sox won the final two games for a series victory to roll into the All-Star break.

Jarren Duran leads off for Boston after a weekend injury scare. Wilyer Abreu follows in the No. 2 spot, fresh off of an emotional game in arguably his best performance as a big leaguer.

Tyler O'Neill missed the final two games of the series against the Texas Rangers and will not start on Monday night. As a result, Nick Sogard gets the start at second base with David Hamilton at shortstop and Ceddanne Rafaela batting ninth in center field.

James Paxton makes his second start on the mound for the Red Sox since rejoining the team after a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed six runs, though only three were earned, against the Seattle Mariners on July 30.

The Royals counter with right-hander Brady Singer, who's pitched well throughout the season. Boston rocked Singer back at Fenway, tallying eight hits and four runs with two homers in just 2 2/3 innings of work.

Here are the lineups for Monday's night matchup between the Red Sox and Royals:

BOSTON RED SOX (59-51)
Jarren Duran, LF
Wilyer Abreu, RF
Masataka Yoshida, DH
Rafael Devers, 3B
Connor Wong, C
Dom Smith, 1B
Nick Sogard, 2B
David Hamilton, SS
Ceddanne Rafaela, CF

LHP James Paxton (8-3, 4.52 ERA)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (63-50)
Maikel Garcia, 3B
Bobby Witt Jr., SS
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
Salvador Perez, C
Hunter Renfroe, RF
Michael Massey, 2B
Freddy Fermin, DH
Garrett Hampson, LF
Kyle Isbel, CF

RHP Brady Singer (8-6, 2.88 ERA)