Boston Red Sox at Kansas City Royals 6/18/21 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Boston Red Sox open a three-game series on the road Friday against the Kansas City Royals. Boston is 42-27 following a 10-8 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. Boston swept the Braves in a two-game interleague series with each of the two games finishing 10-8. The Red Sox are second in the American League East one game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. Boston has won three straight and five of the last seven.

Xander Bogaerts is batting .325 to lead Boston and the shortstop has team highs in hits with 78 and on-base percentage at .387. Third baseman Rafael Devers is the leader in home runs with 16 and RBIs with 55. Boston has hit 86 home runs in 69 games. On Friday, Boston will send Nick Pivetta to the mound. The right-hander is 6-2 with an ERA of 4.28, 80 Ks and 33 BBs.

Kansas City is 30-37 following a 6-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. Kansas City has lost six straight and 11 of the last 12 The Royals are third in the American League Central 12 ½ games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox. Kansas City's pitching staff continues to get hit hard as the Royals team ERA has ballooned to 4.69, which is 24th in baseball.

Salvador Perez is batting .287 to lead Kansas City and the catcher has team highs in home runs with 17, RBIs with 45 and hits with 75. First baseman Carlos Santana is the leader in on-base percentage .365. Kansas City has hit 66 home runs in 67 games. On Friday, Kansas City will send Jackson Kowar to the. The right-hander is 0-2 with an ERA of 36.00, 1 K and 5 BBs.