Kansas City Royals at Boston Red Sox 7/20/2014 Free MLB Picks & Predictions
by Guy Bruhn - 7/19/2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014, 1:35 PM on FSKC, NESN
Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
Kansas City Royals - Ventura, Y (7-7) vs. Boston Red Sox - Lester, J (9-7)
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
On Sunday afternoon, young right-hander Yordano Ventura will go for his eighth win of the year when he and the Kansas City Royals take on Boston Red Sox All-Star Jon Lester.
Yordano Ventura last made a start back on July 9, when he picked up a no decision after pitching five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays. He allowed four earned runs on five hits in that outing while walking four and striking out five. Ventura is now 7-7 on the season with a 3.22 ERA and he has 88 strikeouts in 103.1 innings of work.
The Red Sox will be facing Ventura for the first time on Sunday afternoon. Left-handed hitters have hit just .236 against him so far in 233 at-bats.
Jon Lester finished his first half with a solid outing against the Chicago White Sox, but he had to settle for the no decision for his efforts. He pitched seven innings in that game and gave up just one earned run while striking out 12 batters and walking no one. Lester is 9-7 on the season with a very good 2.65 ERA and he has struck out 134 batters in 129 innings.
Royals veteran Raul Ibanez has five hits in his 15 at-bats versus Lester with two doubles, a home run and six strikeouts. Alex Gordon has just two hits in against him in 17 at-bats with seven strikeouts.
Kansas City Royals Betting Trends
Kansas City Royals are 44-45-5 against the Over/Under
Run Differential for Kansas City Royals is 0
Boston Red Sox Betting Trends
Boston Red Sox are 38-54-3 against the Over/Under
Run differential for Boston Red Sox is -0.4
Injuries to Watch
Kansas City Royals
07/13/14 CF Lorenzo Cain Leg questionable
07/11/14 LF Alex Gordon Wrist out indefinitely
07/09/14 P Jason Vargas Appendix 15-day DL (7/9)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)
Boston Red Sox
05/31/14 1B Ryan Lavarnway Wrist 60-day DL (5/30)
05/24/14 RF Shane Victorino Hamstring 15-day DL (5/24)
05/17/14 3B Will Middlebrooks Finger 15-day DL (5/16)
Guy's Pick: Take Boston
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