Kansas City @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( May 18, 2016 ) Boston 5, Kansas City 2

Boston Red Sox knuckleballer Steven Wright looks to resume his breakthrough campaign when he comes off the disabled list to start the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on Friday night. Boston went 7-4 on its 11-game road trip after ending the trek with consecutive one-run losses at Tampa Bay.

Wright hurt his shoulder diving into a base as a pinch runner two days after tossing his first career shutout to earn his 13th victory. He returns to a tightly-bunched race in the American League East, with the Red Sox tied with Toronto atop the division and Baltimore sitting one game off the pace. The resurgent Royals have ripped off 13 victories in 15 games to pull within four games of the Orioles for the second wild card. The reigning World Series champions have 40 home wins and 40 road losses, but won two of three in Miami to begin a six-game trek.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN Kansas City, NESN (Boston)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals RH Ian Kennedy (8-9, 3.58 ERA) vs. Red Sox RH Steven Wright (13-5, 3.01)

Kennedy turned in another stellar outing in a dominating performance against Minnesota on Saturday, tossing eight scoreless innings of four-hit ball and not walking a batter. During a five-start unbeaten streak, the 31-year-old has yielded a mere three runs and 22 hits over 34 innings. Kennedy gave up two runs over 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision in his second career start against the Red Sox on May 18.

Wright improved to 5-0 over his last seven starts by blanking the Los Angeles Dodgers on three hits Aug. 5 for his fourth complete game of the season. The soon-to-be 32-year-old Californian went the distance in a losing effort at Kansas City on May 18, giving up three runs and five hits in the 3-2 setback. Even though he is unbeaten since June 25, Wright has been tagged for 20 runs in his last four home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Kansas City's bullpen has not allowed a run in 38 2/3 innings -- the longest streak since San Francisco's 39 1/3-inning run in 2002-03.

2. Red Sox OF Andrew Benintendi (knee) went on the 15-day disabled list and will undergo further testing Friday.

3. Royals SS Alcides Escobar is 9-for-23 with four RBIs over the past six games.

PREDICTION: Royals 4, Red Sox 3