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Game 127: No Split, Please

The last time the Sox faced the Royals, the result was a 2-2 split of the series in Fenway.

If we have the same outcome today, I just might scream.

Let's consider the facts here: the Red Sox are starting Jon Lester:


Jon Lester

#31 / Pitcher / Boston Red Sox

6-2

240

L

L

Jan 07, 1984



W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2011 - Jon Lester 12-6 23 23 0 0 0 0 148.0 125 55 53 16 53 143 3.22 1.20

The Royals are starting Danny Duffy:


Danny Duffy

#23 / Pitcher / Kansas City Royals

6-3

200

L

L

Dec 21, 1988



W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP
2011 - Danny Duffy 3-7 16 16 0 0 0 0 82.2 98 52 52 12 41 69 5.66 1.68

This is not what you would typically consider a fair fight. Yes, Boston's lineup is still a bit of a mess--perhaps more so today than any other thanks to the lefty on the mound--but for God's sake, this is not one that should be lost.


Lineup

BOSTON RED SOX KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Marco Scutaro - SS Alex Gordon - LF
Darnell McDonald - CF Melky Cabrera - CF
Adrian Gonzalez - 1B Billy Butler - DH
Dustin Pedroia - 2B Eric Hosmer - 1B
Jed Lowrie - 3B Jeff Francoeur - RF
Ryan Lavarnway - DH Johnny Giavotella - 2B
Carl Crawford - LF Salvador Perez - C
Jason Varitek - C Mike Moustakas - 3B
Josh Reddick - RF Alcides Escobar - SS

There's a weird thing about 4-game series. While a 2-2 tie is what it is, a 3-1 win looks entirely dominant. More than just the one game's difference that actually separates the two outcomes. Add in the fact that a loss would keep the Sox' record over the past month squarely at .500 and, well, it's just an ugly possibility to look at.

So please, Sox, win today not just for the sake of keeping pace with the Yankees or staying well ahead in the Wild Card. Win for our collective sanity.

Go Sox!