Boston @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( May 18, 2016 ) Boston 2, Kansas City 3

After calming an increasing unrest among a legion of Boston Red Sox fans, ace David Price looks to build on the success of his last start when he faces the host Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in the second game of a day-night doubleheader. The twin bill was necessitated by a rainout of Monday's series opener.

Price has lost only once in six decisions, but his bloated 6.00 ERA is not exactly what the Red Sox had in mind when they inked the left-hander to a seven-year, $217 million deal in the offseason. Boston lost for only the second time in nine games despite another big night from third baseman Travis Shaw, who is 14-for-31 with three homers and 12 RBIs in his last eight games. The Nos. 7-9 hitters in Kansas City's lineup combined for eight hits in Tuesday's 8-4 victory, capped by Paulo Orlando's three-hit, four-RBI night. Edinson Volquez will oppose Price in Game 1 on Wednesday while Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy faces knuckleballer Steven Wright in the opener.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), FSN Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH David Price (5-1, 6.00 ERA) vs. Royals RH Edinson Volquez (4-3, 3.51)

After getting blasted for 12 runs and 15 hits by the New York Yankees over his previous two starts, Price returned to form with a dominant outing versus Houston, striking out 12 while allowing one run on six hits over 6 2/3 innings. Price, who has shown an alarming inability to escape trouble, has permitted at least five runs in four of his previous six turns. Price is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA in six appearances (five starts) versus Kansas City.

Volquez snapped a three-start losing streak with a stellar performance in his last outing, limiting Atlanta to one run on six hits over seven innings and not walking a batter for only the second time. He has a pair of rocky starts on the road during his three-game skid, giving up 13 runs and 19 hits over 9 1/3 innings in losses at Cleveland and the Los Angeles Angels. Volquez has been outstanding at home with a 3-1 record and 1.35 ERA in five starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Boston has homered in 17 straight contests, the longest string since the franchise-record 19-game run in 1996.

2. Royals 1B Eric Hosmer is 9-for-23 during a six-game hitting streak.

3. Red Sox SS Xander Bogaerts has his safely in 11 straight games while 1B Hanley Ramirez is riding an eight-game streak.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 5, Royals 3