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One day after pulling into first place in their 69th game of the year the Red Sox (39-30) look to continue rolling as when they begin a three-game series against the Royals (33-35) tonight in Kansas City (8:15 p.m., NESN). Hector Velazquez (6.48 ERA) will make his second start for Boston and will be matched by KC’s Jason Hammel (5.05 ERA). Dustin Pedroia is on the shelf with some banged-up ribs. Josh Rutledge takes his place in the field and bats seventh; Andrew Benintendi will bat second. Here are the full lineups:
Game 70, June 19, 2017 at Royals
| Lineup Spot | Red Sox | Royals |
|---|---|---|
| Lineup Spot | Red Sox | Royals |
| 1 | Mookie Betts, CF | Whit Merrifield, 2B |
| 2 | Andrew Benintendi, LF | Jorge Bonifacio, RF |
| 3 | Xander Bogaerts, SS | Lorenzo Cain, CF |
| 4 | Mitch Moreland, 1B | Eric Hosmer, 1B |
| 5 | Hanley Ramirez, DH | Mike Moustakas, DH |
| 6 | Jackie Bradley Jr., CF | Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B |
| 7 | Josh Rutledge, 2B | Alcides Escobar, SS |
| 8 | Pablo Sandoval, 3B | Alex Gordon, LF |
| 9 | Christian Vazquez, C | Drew Butera, C |
| SP | Hector Velazquez, RHP | Jason Hammel, RHP |