The Boston Red Sox are looking to build on their recent momentum as they head into a series against the Kansas City Royals, following a satisfactory performance where they took two of three games from the Royals during their last meeting. This matchup comes at a crucial time for both teams, with the Royals struggling since May yet remaining within striking distance of a Wild Card spot.
In a notable aspect of the series, left-hander Bailey Falter is set to make his Royals debut after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates. His performance has been inconsistent, boasting a 7-5 record yet tallying only 70 strikeouts in 113 innings. Falter’s unremarkable statistical profile raises some questions about his effectiveness, making this debut all the more intriguing.
On the other hand, rookie right-hander Ryan Bergert is also making his first appearance for the Royals, having been acquired from the San Diego Padres. While he has shown promise with 34 strikeouts in just 35.2 innings, control has been an issue with 18 walks. He faces a challenging matchup against Garrett Crochet.
This series will also feature a familiar face, Michael Wacha, who is facing the Red Sox after a stellar outing against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he allowed just one run over eight innings. His experience could be a pivotal factor as the Royals look to make a push for a playoff berth; they are currently 9.0 games back of the Detroit Tigers but just 3.5 games away from a Wild Card spot.
The probable pitching matchups for the series are as follows:
– **Monday, August 4**: Bailey Falter (3.73 ERA / 4.88 FIP) vs. Brayan Bello (3.19 ERA / 4.35 FIP)
– **Tuesday, August 5**: Ryan Bergert (2.78 ERA / 4.25 FIP) vs. Garrett Crochet (2.23 ERA / 254 FIP)
– **Wednesday, August 6**: Michael Wacha (3.38 ERA / 3.74 FIP) vs. Dustin May (4.85 ERA / 4.71 FIP)
Fans can catch the action starting on August 4 at 7:10 PM ET on NESN. This series presents an opportunity for both teams to solidify their positions as they prepare for the challenging final stretch of the season, with the Red Sox hoping to continue their winning ways and the Royals inspired to rise in the standings.