Red Sox at Royals lineup: Pedey, Hanley sit; Pomeranz pitches

The first-place Red Sox (40-31) look to build on last night’s thumping of the Royals (34-36) in Kansas City when they finish a three-game series against Lorde’s favorite team this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium (2:15 p.m., NESN). The talented, mercurial, maddening Drew Pomeranz (4.19 ERA) takes on the Ian Kennedy (5.03 ERA), the perennially half-decent starter who has generally benefitted by playing in pitcher’s parks; given how often the Sox have been stymied by soft-tossers this year, I’d expect nothing less than a Kennedy perfect game.

Dustin Pedroia is still out from his scary Monday rib injury and today Hanley Ramirez joins him on the bench, with sluggin’ Chris Young taking his place at DH and batting fifth. Here is the full lineup: