Kansas City @ Boston preview
Fenway Park
Last Meeting ( Apr 11, 2010 ) Boston 8, Kansas City 6
The Boston Red Sox not only survived the toughest part of their schedule, they thrived during it.
Facing a string of 13 games against many of the best teams in baseball, Boston won nine times and climbed into third place in the American League East standings.
After a woeful start to the season, the Red Sox are six games over .500 and have won five straight games, including a sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays at St. Petersburg, Fla.
Boston looks to continue its winning ways tonight in the first of a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park.
Adrian Beltre powered Boston to an 11-3 win over the Rays in series finale Wednesday. Beltre belted a pair of home runs and drove in six runs. David Ortiz also homered, his ninth home run of the month.
Daisuke Matsuzaka starts for the Red Sox tonight. Matsuzaka, who flirted with a no-hitter at Philadelphia on Saturday night, and the rest of the Boston starting rotation have been dominant lately. Red Sox starters are 7-1 with a 1.61 ERA in the last eight games.
Boston is again expected to be with outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. He missed his second straight game Wednesday because of soreness in his left side and could be headed back to the disabled list.
Ellsbury was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup because of soreness in the same side where he suffered four broken ribs in the sixth game of the season. He returned to the lineup just a few days ago and played three games before experiencing discomfort while taking batting practice.
He will be re-examined today.
Right fielder J.D. Drew also missed Wednesday’s game with a sore hip flexor and catcher Victor Martinez has missed the past two games with a bruised left big toe.
The Royals have some injury issues of their own. Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt missed Wednesday’s win over the Texas Rangers after sustaining a mild concussion in a collision at home plate a day earlier.
Mike Aviles is expected to start in his place.
Billy Butler homered and went 2-for-3 in Wednesday’s game to raise his average to .348, second in the American League.
Hochevar improved to 5-2 on the season and is the only Royals starter with a winning record. Joakim Soria recorded his 11th save in 13 chances and the 100th of his career.
Brian Bannister will start for the Royals. He is 0-4 in four starts against the Red Sox.