Connelly Early gets the ball for the Red Sox at 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA, and his last time out was the start of his career — 7 innings, 8 punchouts, no runs on the Rays at Fenway. Outside of one ugly 5-run outing against Houston on May 2, he hasn't given up more than 3 in a single start. The rookie is real.
The problem is what's standing behind him. Boston is 21-27 and walking into this series without Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, and Triston Casas, plus Garrett Crochet and Kutter Crawford on the shelf. That's a starting outfielder, a starting infielder, a starting first baseman, and your ace. Hard to score runs when half the lineup card is in a trainer's room.
- Day-To-DayHobie Harris RP — Harris was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.
- 10-Day-ILRoman Anthony LF — Anthony (wrist) was still sore when taking some swings Monday and will not swing a bat again until at least Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
- 10-Day-ILTrevor Story SS — Story is seeking additional opinions about whether surgery is needed for his sports hernia, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
- 15-Day-ILDanny Coulombe RP — Coulombe (neck) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILGarrett Crochet SP — Crochet (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILKutter Crawford SP — Crawford has been diagnosed with inflammation in his right elbow following an MRI, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
- 60-Day-ILTanner Houck SP — Houck (elbow) has been making throws out to 105 feet three days per week, MLB.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILTriston Casas 1B — The Red Sox transferred Casas (abdomen/knee) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.
- Day-To-DayAnthony Simonelli SP — no
- Day-To-DayJavier Vaz 2B — Vaz (fingers) has produced a .238/.304/.262 slash line with zero home runs and three stolen bases in 10 games since being activated from Double-A Northwest Arkansas' 7-day injured list April 22.
- Day-To-DayTyson Guerrero RP — no
- 10-Day-ILJonathan India 2B — The Royals announced Tuesday that India underwent season-ending surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder.
- 15-Day-ILCole Ragans SP — Ragans (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILKris Bubic SP — Bubic (3-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Thursday, pitching four innings and allowing five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out one batter.
- 15-Day-ILMatt Strahm RP — Strahm allowed no hits and a walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning in Friday's win against the Mariners.
- 15-Day-ILCarlos Estevez RP — Estevez (foot) was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Michael Wacha is the counter-punch, and he's been the best arm in the Royals rotation. 4-2, 2.83 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a string of quality starts that has people floating an All-Star nod for the 34-year-old. Kauffman plays big, Wacha is locating, and a depleted Boston lineup is exactly the kind of opponent that lets him work efficiently into the 7th.
Kansas City isn't exactly cruising either — 20-29, 1-4 over their last 5, and Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic both stuck on the IL behind Wacha. But Bobby Witt Jr. has heated back up to a .309/.383/.503 line, and reports out of KC have the wind blowing out at Kauffman. That's a factor worth tracking on a 7.5/8 total.
Pinnacle's fair price has the Royals at -116 (52.4% to win), but DraftKings is hanging +113 on the home side while the public hammers Boston. That's a notable gap. Two starters with sub-3.25 ERAs, a banged-up road lineup, and wind blowing out — pick your poison, but the under at 7.5 is the side the sharps appear to be on.
Bottom line: Boston needs Early to give them 6 strong because the bats are short-handed and the bullpen isn't built to cover a long night. Kansas City just needs Wacha to be Wacha. First pitch 6:40 PM local.