Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox 9/16/22 - MLB Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 09/15/2022 at 10:54 PM ET

On Friday, the Kansas City Royals open a three-game series on the road against the Boston Red Sox. Kansas City is 57-86 following its 4-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. Kansas City has lost two straight and four of the last five. The Royals are fourth in the American League Central, 20 games behind first-place and out of postseason contention. 

Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr is batting .249 with 72 RBIs and 128 hits to lead Kansas City in each category. Catcher Salvador Perez is the leader in home runs with 20 and MJ Melendez is the leader in on-base percentage at .318. On Friday, the Kansas City Royals will send Jonathan Heasley to the mound. The right-hander is 3-8 with a 5.51 ERA, 57 Ks and 39 BBs.

Boston dropped to 69-74 following its 5-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday. The Red Sox were swept in a short two-game series against division rival the Yankees. Boston has lost six of the last eight and the Red Sox are last in the American League East, 18 games behind first-place and out of playoff contention.

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is batting .317 to lead Boston and has team highs in hits with 160 and on-base percentage at .384. Third baseman Rafael Devers is the leader in home runs with 26 and RBIs with 79. On Friday, the Boston Red Sox will send Michael Wacha to the mound. The right-hander is 11-1 with a 2.69 ERA, 88 Ks and 26 BBs.

Kansas City has lost four of the last five overall and the Royals have dropped 20 of the last 27 played on the road. Kansas City starter Jonathan Heasley was hit hard last time out allowing seven runs on seven hits across four innings resulting in an 8-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Boston has won four of the last five starts by Michael Wacha and the right-hander has a 2.69 ERA. Final Score Prediction, Boston Red Sox win 5-2.

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