Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester (L) gets a pat on the back as he is taken out of the game by manager Terry Francona (C) as catcher Jason Varitek watches in the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of Major League Baseball's ALCS playoff series in Boston, October 13, 2008.     REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

After watching the bullpen blow the game last night, the Boston Red Sox look to rebound in Game 2 of a 4-game set with the Kansas City Royals.

The game tonight will start at 7:10 PM EDT and will be televised in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Royals’ television market, you can catch the game on FOX Sports Kansas City. And if the television isn’t your cup of tea, you can catch the game on one of the many affiliates of the Red Sox Radio Network.

The last time Jon Lester faced the Royals at Fenway Park, he threw a no-hitter. While we hope can do that again tonight, realistically I’ll take a good game from him and a win (personal and fantasy team purposes). Lester is making his 18th start in 2009 and is 7-6 with a 4.16 ERA. He’s faced the Royals 3 times in his career and is 2-1 with a 1.64 ERA.

Brian Bannister has made 15 starts this season for Trey Hillman. He’s 6-6 with a 3.87 ERA. Bannister has faced the Red Sox three times in his career and is 0-3 with an 8.22 ERA. He’s made two of those starts at Fenway Park where he is 0-2 with an 8.74 ERA.

Pregame: Sox Vs. Royals [Extra Bases]

Dom DiMaggio To Be Honored at Fenway on Sunday [Better Red Than Dead]

Red Sox show interest in Halladay [Projo Sox Blog]

Youkilis chooses not to enter Home Run Derby [WEEI.com]

An open letter to the Boston Red Sox bullpen [Red Sox Monster]

Unlikely All-Star [Center Field]

Here are the lineups for tonight’s game:

Kansas City Royals37-48

Red Sox logo51-34

1. David DeJesus CF 1. J.D. Drew RF
2. Willie Bloomquist SS 2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Billy Butler 1B 3. Kevin Youkilis 3B
4. Jose Guillen LF 4. David Ortiz DH
5. Mark Teahan 3B 5. Jason Bay LF
6. Miguel Olivo C 6. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
7. John Buck DH 7. Jason Varitek C
8. Alberto Callapso 2B 8. Mark Kotsay 1B
9. Ryan Freel RF 9. Nick Green SS
Luke Hochevar SP Jon Lester SP

Here is how the hitters have fared against tonight’s starting pitchers:

Kansas City Royals vs Boston Red Sox batter/pitcher matchups