The Red Sox have won five straight and seven of their last eight. Now with the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays only three games ahead, Boston will look to continue its hot streak this week against the Kansas City Royals.
Brayan Bello (7-5, 3.19) will get the ball for Monday’s series opener, facing off against Kansas City left-hander Bailey Falter (7-5, 3.73). Bello has posted quality starts in nine of his last 10 starts dating back to the beginning of June, most recently allowing one run over seven innings in last Wednesday’s win over Minnesota.
The Red Sox will load up with right-handers against Falter, with seven righty hitters in total. Romy Gonzalez set to lead off, Alex Bregman in his usual second spot and Rob Refsnyder batting cleanup ahead of Roman Anthony in the No. 3 hole. Trevor Story and Ceddanne Rafaela are batting fifth and sixth, the switch-hitting Abraham Toro is eighth and Connor Wong is ninth.
Jarren Duran, who typically bats near the top of the lineup but who is only batting .200 with a .561 OPS against lefties this season, is batting seventh.
Red Sox lineup
Romy Gonzalez 2B
Alex Bregman 3B
Roman Anthony RF
Rob Refsnyder DH
Trevor Story SS
Ceddanne Rafaela CF
Jarren Duran LF
Abraham Toro 1B
Connor Wong C
Brayan Bello P
How to watch
When: 7:10 p.m.
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
Broadcast info: NESN, WEEI 93.7 FM, WCCM 1490 AM (Spanish), WESX 1230 AM (Spanish)
Originally Published: August 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM EDT