Boston Red Sox (75-48) @ Kansas City Royals (51-74)
Andrew Miller (4-1, 5.40) @ Jeff Francis (4-13, 4.76)
8:10 PM EDT | Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
TV: NESN RADIO: WEEI 850, WWZN 1510
GAME NOTES
A 1.92 WHIP is bad right? Ok, just making sure. That’s the mark Andrew Miller currently holds. He starts tonight for the Sox for the first time since July 31st. Boston gives him the spot start out of necessity due to the doubleheader they played against the Rays on Tuesday. Miller gave up a season high ten hits in his last start in Chicago, allowing three runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight. His season ERA sits at 5.40, despite that he has a 4-1 record. Jeff Francis starts for the Royals, and faces the Sox for the first time since they lit him up in game one of the 2007 World Series. Francis started out the season well for Kansas City, who signed him as a free agent in the off season. Lately though, he has been anything but solid. He went only 3 2/3 innings in his last start against the White Sox, allowing six earned runs and striking out only one batter. He has a lofty 13 losses to go along with only four wins. His ERA sits at 4.76. David Ortiz and Marco Scutaro will both miss another game, both are still day-to-day with respective heel and back injuries.
Lineups
Boston
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Mike Aviles, SS
- Adrian Gonzalez, DH
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Jed Lowrie, 3B
- Ryan Lavarnway, DH
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Darnell McDonald, RF
Kansas City
- Alex Gordon, RF
- Melky Cabrera, CF
- Billy Butler, DH
- Eric Hosmer, 1B
- Jeff Francouer, RF
- Johnny Giovatella, 2B
- Brayan Pena, C
- Mike Moustakas, 3B
- 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); Marco Scutaro, stiff back back (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
-The Sox nine hits last night totaled their total from their entire series with Tampa Bay earlier this week.
-Francis has an 8.04 ERA over his last three starts. He leads Kansas City pitching with a 2.4 WAR, although that’s not saying much.
-Miller is 0-2 with a 11.08 in five career appearances against Kansas City.
-The Sox are 7-1 in the eight games that Andrew Miller has started.