Coming into this affair, we have the Kansas City Royals squaring off against the Red Sox at the iconic Fenway Park. Ah, Fenway, that ol' historic gem where the batters thrive, and the pitchers ... well, they tolerate it.
The Royals are carting out one Mr. Cole Ragans to the mound. He's had his moments this season--19 appearances, dishing strikeouts like candy with an ERA that's not too shabby. On the other side, Cooper Criswell will be taking the mound for the Sox. His resume isn’t as glittery, I must say.
Now, let's talk players. The Royals came packing with the likes of Bobby Witt Jr., Hunter Renfroe, Salvador Perez, and Vinnie Pasquantino. A decent lineup, considering Witt Jr's crushing average and Pasquantino's impressive RBI count. For the Sox, we've got Ceddanne Rafaela, Jarren Duran, and Rafael Devers. Duran seems to be stealing bases for fun, and Devers is sending those balls out of the park like he’s on a country walk.
These two teams have had their previous dances as well. Latest encounters? A mixed affair. The Red Sox took a beating at home and then returned the favor at the Royals den. Rough justice, you see?
Looking at the abilities, the Royals and Red Sox are pretty neck to neck for the regular season. I do see that Royals have been performing, let’s say, inconsistently in recent matchups. So have the Red Sox, though they seem to carry a bit more momentum.
So what's my point of all this rambling? Well, despite the Royals' favoritism, I am leaning towards the Sox here, based on Fenway being the batter's paradise, and their top players' performances.
Albert’s Prediction: Boston Red Sox by 2