After a solid team win last night, the Boston Red Sox look to make it two in a row tonight against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. and will be broadcast in the Red Sox television market on NESN. If you live in the Royals broadcast area, you can catch the game on Fox Sports Kansas City. And if you can’t catch the television broadcast, you can always listen to the game on the 2011 Red Sox Radio Network.
Since moving to the bullpen, Andrew Miller has made two appearances in relief. Tonight he’ll make his 9th start (11th appearance) of 2011. In his previous 10 appearances (eight starts), Miller is 4-1 with a 5.40 ERA. In his only start against the Royals this season back on July 26th, he allowed five runs in just 3.2 innings of work to receive a no decision. He’s struggled against the Royals in his career as he is 0-2 with an 11.08 ERA in five appearances (three starts). He’s made two appearances (one start) at the K and is 0-1 with a 32.40 ERA (6 ER/1.2 IP).
Jeff Francis makes his 26th start of 2011 for Ned Yost’s Royals squad. In his previous 25 starts, he is 4-13 with a 4.76 ERA. He has not faced the Red Sox this season. His lone start against the Red Sox during the regular season came in 2007 as a member of the Colorado Rockies. In that start he picked up the win after tossing five shutout innings. The Red Sox exacted their revenge on Francis in Game 1 of the 2007 World Series as they lit him for six runs in four innings.
Click on the read more button below to see today’s lineups, batter/pitcher matchups and links from the day if you’re on the home page.
Here are this evening’s lineups:
 75-48 |
 51-74 |
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| 1. Jacoby Ellsbury | CF | 1. Alex Gordon | LF |
| 2. Mike Aviles | SS | 2. Melky Cabrera | CF |
| 3. Adrian Gonzalez | 1B | 3. Billy Butler | DH |
| 4. Dustin Pedroia | 2B | 4. Eric Hosmer | 1B |
| 5. Jed Lowrie | 3B | 5. Jeff Francoeur | RF |
| 6. Ryan Lavarnway | DH | 6. Johnny Giavotella | 2B |
| 7. Carl Crawford | LF | 7. Brayan Pena | C |
| 8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia | C | 8. Mike Moustakas | 3B |
| 9. Darnell McDonald | RF | 9. Alcides Escobar | SS |
| Andrew Miller | SP | Jeff Francis | SP |
And here is how the hitters have fared against today’s starting pitchers:
Check back and/or refresh often as more links will be added if/when they become available before game time.
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Red Sox, Royals pleased so far with Aviles-Navarro deal [Clubhouse Insider]
Adrian Gonzalez on 0-for-14 skid: ‘It’s not physical’ [Clubhouse Insider]
A-Gon shuffling through first slump with Sox [CSN New England]
Miller: ‘I should be fresh’ [ESPN Boston]
Notes: Scutaro due back Saturday [ESPN Boston]
A few random thoughts from Kansas City [Extra Bases]
Pre-game notes from Kansas City [Extra Bases]
Red Sox prospect Noe Ramirez aims to reach big leagues ‘as quickly as possible’ [Full Count]
Top Red Sox prospect Will Middlebrooks promoted to Triple-A [Full Count]
Daniel Bard is ready to ‘put the pedal down’ for the end of the year [Full Count]
Adrian Gonzalez offers explanation for recent struggles [Full Count]
Time Changes Announced for Red Sox Games Against Yankees, Rays in September [NESN.com]
Will Adrian Gonzalez Finish With a Batting Average Better Than .350? [NESN.com]
A Series Matter: Red Sox-Royals and Show vs. Tell [Projo Sox Blog]
Bard: HGH testing likely to happen eventually [Projo Sox Blog]
Sox grinding through difficult schedule [Projo Sox Blog]
Clean-shaven Gonzalez searching for timing [Projo Sox Blog]
Giving heel pain boot a key to recovery [RedSox.com]
Miller slides out of ‘pen to face Kansas City [RedSox.com]
Jenks, Drew take positive steps in recovery [RedSox.com]
Red Sox can afford a respite [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]
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