Kansas City @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 21, 2013 ) Kansas City 4, Boston 2

The Boston Red Sox rode an emotional wave following Saturday's stirring pregame ceremony to their seventh consecutive victory in the team's first home game since the Boston Marathon bombings rocked the city Monday. With the healing process underway in Boston, the Red Sox can get back to focusing on the business of baseball as they close out the three-game series against the Kansas City Royals with a day-night doubleheader Sunday.

Boston will be looking to match its longest win streak since reeling off nine straight in June 2011. Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain referred to Saturday's atmosphere as "electric." He could just as easily have been describing his hitting during a torrid stretch. Cain went 4-for-4 with a home run, two doubles and scored all three of his team's runs Saturday. It was the fourth consecutive multi-hit game for Cain, who is 11-for-16 in that span to boost his batting average to .392.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Kansas City, New England Sports Network (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (2-0, 3.20 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Allen Webster (NR)

Guthrie received a no-decision last time out against Atlanta, yielding two runs on five hits in seven innings to extend his unbeaten streak to 14 starts. He has surrendered five homers in his last two starts, but kept the damage to a minimum since all were solo shots. Guthrie has had his issues against Boston, compiling a 3-8 mark and 4.88 ERA in 20 appearances (18 starts). Jacoby Ellsbury is 15-for-39 and David Ortiz is 13-for-38 with three homers against Guthrie.

Webster, who will be making his major-league debut, was acquired in last year's blockbuster trade that sent Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had a strong exhibition season, compiling a 1.64 ERA in four appearances. The 23-year-old Webster made two starts at Triple-A Pawtucket, pitching to a 0.90 ERA while striking out 12 and walking three in 10 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston is the third AL team (1978 Athletics, 1981 Athletics) that has allowed three runs or fewer by its starters in the season's first 16 games.

2. The Red Sox and Royals are first and third in the AL in runs allowed at 45 and 51, respectively.

3. Kansas City was swept in both its doubleheaders in 2012.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 7, Royals 5