Red Sox to start recently recalled RHP in series opener vs. Royals

Mike Masala

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Red Sox to start recently recalled RHP in series opener vs. Royals image

After taking two of three from the Oakland Athletics, the Boston Red Sox have remained at Fenway Park to host the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set beginning on Friday night.

For the matchup, Boston will send Cooper Criswell to the mound while Kansas City will counter with Cole Ragans.

Here's what Alex Cora's lineup will look like for the opener:

  1. Rob Refsnyder RF
  2. Jarren Duran LF
  3. Tyler O'Neill DH
  4. Rafael Devers 3B
  5. Connor Wong C
  6. Romy Gonzalez 1B
  7. Jamie Westbrook 2B
  8. Ceddanne Rafaela CF
  9. David Hamilton SS

And, here's Matt Quatraro's:

  1. Adam Frazier DH
  2. Bobby Witt Jr. SS
  3. Vinnie Pasquantino 1B
  4. Salvador Perez C
  5. Michael Massey 2B
  6. Hunter Renfroe RF
  7. MJ Melendez LF
  8. Maikel Garcia 3B
  9. Kyle Isbel C

Criswell is making his return to the rotation after a stint with Triple-A Worcester. This season, he's posted a 4.15 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP while striking out 49 in his 12 appearances (11 starts). Only two Royals have ever recorded a hit off of him - Blanco (1-for-2 with an RBI) and Witt Jr. (1-for-2).

Ragans has been good for Kansas City this year, recording a 3.28 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP while striking out 134 (fifth-most in baseball) in 19 starts. He gave up two runs over seven innings in his last outing against the Colorado Rockies. He's allowed hits to just two Red Sox - Wong (1-for-2 with an RBI) and Yoshida (1-for-2 with an RBI).

Mike Masala

Mike Masala Photo

Mike Masala previously served as the Managing Editor of USA TODAY's Dolphins Wire as well as a contributing writer at Patriots Wire. A lifelong New England resident, he is the self-proclaimed captain and lone member of the Laurence Maroney Fan Club. Follow on Twitter/X: @Mike_Masala