Boston Red Sox (76-48) @ Kansas City Royals (51-75)
Tim Wakefiled (6-5, 4.90) @ Felipe Paulino (1-5, 3.76)
7:10 PM EDT | Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510
GAME NOTES
Now this is just starting to get awkward. The first time it was disappointing. The second time was annoying. The third time was “Alright already…”. The fourth time was “Well….”. So now, for the fifth time, Tim Wakefield will go for win 200 tonight against the Royals. The funny thing about this whole ordeal is the fact that this really is not Wakefield’s fault at all. He has pitched at least 6 2/3 innings in each of the four attempts, and has had a quality start in three of the four games. His last start came at Safeco Field against the Mariners. He went eight innings, pitching a complete game, but surrendered five runs, four of them earned. He struck out four. Felipe Paulino will be the man trying to deny history, as he takes the mound for Kansas City. The 27 year old has had a tough time of it this year, coming into the game with a combined 1-9 record (“That’s not even that bad.” ~Jeff Francis) on the Royals and Rockies this year. He’s posted a 3.76 ERA since coming to Kansas City. His last start came against the Yankees. He went 5 1/3 innings, giving up five runs while striking out four. Marco Scutaro returns to the lineup today after missing a few games with back soreness. He’ll bat leadoff in place of the sore Jacoby Ellsbury, who gets a day off after being hit by a pitch last night. Darneel McDonald will play center in Ellsbury’s place.
Lineups
Boston
- Marco Scutaro, SS
- Mike Aviles, 3B
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Josh Reddick, RF
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Ryan Lavarnway, DH
- Darnell McDonald, CF
Kansas City
- Alex Gordon, LF
- Melky Cabrera, CF
- Billy Butler, DH
- Eric Hosmer, 1B
- Jeff Francouer, RF
- Mike Moustakas, 3B
- Salazar Perez, C
- Christ Getz, 2B
- Alcides Escobar, SS
INJURY REPORT
Boston: Clay Buchholz, lower back strain (placed on 15-day DL June 19, retroactive to June 17); J.D. Drew, left shoulder impingement (placed on 15-day DL July 26); Bobby Jenks, strained back (placed on 15-day DL July 16); David Ortiz, right heel bursitis (day-to-day); Kevin Youkilis, sore back (Placed on the 15 day DL August 18)
Kansas City: Kyle Davies, right shoulder impingement (placed on the 15 day DL August 1)
Stats
-Wakefield is 0-2 with a 4.08 ERA in his previous four attempts at his 200th victory.
-Mike Aviles is hitting .308 in his 39 AB’s since he came to the Sox.
-Wakefield has received an average of 4.08 runs of support in his last four starts.
-None of Paulino’s 30 career losses have come against Boston. Then again, he’s never faced the Sox.