MLB Predictions: Boston Red Sox vs. Kansas City Royals

The Boston Red Sox (70-46) and Kansas City Royals (58-53) will open up a four-game American League series Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET

Boston Red Sox vs. Kansas City Royals

The Boston Red Sox have won four of their last five games

Boston has won four of its last five games, including a 7-5 victory over the Houston Astros as -169 road favorites Wednesday, while going OVER the total for a second consecutive contest. The Red Sox are now 2.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East standings—picking up their 27th comeback win of the season. “It just builds on the spirt and character of this team,” commented Red Sox manager John Farrell. Boston is 8-6 on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.

Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (10-6, 4.52 ERA) didn’t earn a decision in a 7-6 home defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks last time out, as he allowed six runs and 11 hits over 4.1 frames. The left-hander is 6-6 with a 5.14 ERA in 14 road games, with opposing hitters batting .272 against him. In nine lifetime appearances versus the Royals, Lester has compiled a 6-2 record and 1.64 ERA.

Kansas City has won six consecutive series, as it picked up a 5-2 come-from-behind victory over the Minnesota Twins as -145 home favorites last night, while going UNDER the betting total for a second consecutive contest. The Royals have won 15 of their last 19 games since the All-Star break. “When we left Spring Training, we thought we had a good team,” commented Royals manager Ned Yost. The pitching staff has held opponents to a .156 average with runners in scoring position over the last 15 games. Kansas City is 7-8 as home underdogs of +100 to +125 this season, with the UNDER going 8-5-2 in that situation.

Royals starting pitcher Bruce Chen (4-0, 2.03 ERA) has led the club to three consecutive victories, but he didn’t earn a decision in a 4-3 road win over the New York Mets last time out, as he allowed one run and four hits over six frames. The left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.87 ERA in 12 home games (one start), issuing seven walks and striking out 26 batters in 31.1 combined innings. In 19 career games versus the Red Sox, Chen has tallied a 4-6 record and 5.59 ERA.