Red Sox vs. Royals: Sox go for series win behind struggling De La Rosa

With two victories already in their pocket, the Red Sox will send Rubby De La Rosa to the mound looking to deal Kansas City a series defeat as they attempt to play spoilers in the AL Central.

For much of the season, Rubby De La Rosa was looking like the most reliable of Boston's young prospects-turned-starters. And, technically, I suppose that hasn't changed, but that's not because De La Rosa has been doing much to reinforce his own position in the rotation. His last quality start came back on August 21st. In three outings since then, Rubby has allowed nine earned runs in 14 innings of work, only once pitching into the sixth, and never escaping it.

At this point, with 150 innings on his arm, De La Rosa is well past his total from 2013, his first real post-Tommy John season. There is something to be said for coming fresh from the drawing board after a procedure like that, so even as a 25-year-old, it's not too surprising to see him running out of gas some late in the year. Still, with the Red Sox in need of some reassurances from their starting five, and with the extra rest schedule in full swing, putting together a couple good starts to end the season would be encouraging indeed.

First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.

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