The Red Sox never led at any point Friday night and opened up their weekend series with a 6-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals.
Kansas City had the bases loaded in each of the first 3 innings against starter and losing pitcher Cooper Criswell.
Kansas City with a run in the first and left 2 runners in scoring position. The Royals got 3 runs in the 2nd and had a runner thrown out at the plate on a 2-out, RBI single from Salvador Perez to end the inning.
Sox got their first run in the bottom of the 2nd inning against Cole Ragans. Jamie Westbrook reached with a 2-out double and scored on a double from Ceddanne Rafaela.
Kansas City added on in the 4th on a solo Home Run from Bobby Witt Jr. It was his first career Home Run at Fenway Park and his 16th of the season.
Criswell ended up going 6 innings. He allowed 5 runs, 2 earned runs, on 8 hits. He walked 2, struck out 1 and allowed a home run. The Royals hit their 2nd Home Run of the night with MJ Melendez hitting a solo shot off reliever Greg Weissert in the top of the 8th.
Melendez has now hit 8 home runs in 14 career games against the Red Sox.
Ragans went 7 innings and allowed just 1 run on 4 hits. He walked only 1 and fanned 7.
Sox had the first 2 hitters reach in the 8th, but Chris Stratton came back and struck out the next 3 hitters to strand 2 runners.
Sox went in order in the home 9th inning against Nick Anderson.
Locked On Red Sox POSTCAST- Royals and Red Sox continue their series on Saturday afternoon at 4:10 p.m. EST. Seth Lugo opposes Kutter Crawford.
Romy Gonzalez with an error at first in the second inning and it resulted in 3 unearned runs on Criswell's final line. The E3 snapped a stretch of 5 straight games without an error for the Red Sox.
Tyler O'Neill went 0-for-4 for the second straight night. O'Neill is 2-for-23 with 13 strikeouts over his last 6 games. Attendance for the Series Opener Friday Night- 34,894.
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[MUSIC PLAYING] It's the Lock-Dawn Podcast Network, your team every day. [MUSIC PLAYING] You are a Lock-Dawn Red Sox post-cast, part of Lock-Dawn Sports Boston, on the Lock-Dawn Podcast Network. Your team, every day. The pitching matchup, Friday night at Fenway, and all-star going up. A guy just back up from Triple A, Red Sox unable to get to 11 games over 500 as they fall 6 to 1 against the Royals in the series opener in Boston. We welcome you to the latest edition of our Lock-Dawn Red Sox post-cast. I'm Steve Lennox, veteran play-by-play announcer, calling over 1,000 games in the minors. Spent one glorious Saturday in the show, calling Padres Dodgers from Dodgers Stadium, on ESPN's National Radio Broadcast. It was also on Lobster Lake in Maine when the Red Sox acquired Dave Henderson and Spike Owen in August of 1986, a long, long time ago. We are providing reaction to every Red Sox game on the Lock-Dawn Sports Boston YouTube channel as well as the Lock-Dawn Red Sox post-podcast feed, which is free and available wherever you get your podcast. Also, where Gabby Hurlbut's latest interview with Sox pitching coach Andrew Belli is up. That interview with Andrew Belli and Gabby debuting on Friday. We are also looking for reaction as well from our every dayers and our first timers. Join the conversation. Watching live on the Lock-Dawn Sports Boston YouTube channel, click on the comment button, introduce yourself, share your thoughts on tonight's loss for the Red Sox as the Royals take the opener, and that's what the Royals are capable of doing. Got a strong start from Cole Regan's, never trailed, and winning 6-1 on our latest Lock-Dawn Red Sox post-cast. We're going to be talking about the Red Sox not being able to come from behind when they got down early. Not much offense going against the all-star Cole Regan's. And to Cooper Criswell, going a full six innings, tell us something about the state of the Red Sox pitching staff. We'll have that more coming up with our latest edition of the Lock-Dawn Red Sox post-cast brought to you by booking.com, booking.yeah. The right stay can make you a fan of any city. Even your rivals, check out booking.com for your stay today. Well, the Red Sox are down four nothing early on. Use the long ball to get on the board or actually use the doubles, two-out magic in the second inning. We'll get to that in just a moment. But the six-one loss, the Sox had opportunities to get back into the game, unable to do so. Then Greg Weiser gives up a home run to MJ Melendez late, that made it a six-one ball game. Five run lead at that point in time. But in the bottom of the eighth inning, similar to the other night against the A's when the Sox lost Wednesday night, five to two. Red Sox had the bases loaded two outs in the seventh inning. Tyler O'Neill at the plate. Little roller to the left side. He was able to beat it out. Run came in from third. Rafael Devers and next hit are retired. And that was it. And that was it the rest of the way. Well, Friday night against the Royals, the Red Sox at least had a chance to make things interesting. They got the first two batters to reach in the eighth inning. Satan Raphaelo, base hit to start things up. I walked to David Hamilton, so you had speed on the bases. Now you're down at that point five runs, but there was a conference on the mound for the Royals with Chris Stratton on the mound. And I thought, okay, it's present day baseball. Do you run here? You've got great speed. Can you run in this situation? They didn't, and I understand that. I'm not second-guessing it, but I'm just wondering, present day baseball, first and second, down five runs on the eighth inning. Maybe it would have gotten something going. Well, you're at the plate. Pinch hitter, left-handed batter. Now in that situation, catch your throwing down to third. He's got the wide open lane, not running, right? Abreu strikes out as a pinch hitter. Duran, next batter, left-handed batter, strikes out. Tyler O'Neill strikes out, inning over. First and second, nobody out. Three straight strikeouts against Chris Stratton. And I'm not gonna say that was the ball game, but that was pretty much it. Now all-star Cole Reagan's going in the start. Went seven innings, gave up one run for Kansas City, picked up the victory. Reagan's an all-star this year. Traded last year from Texas with a minor leaguer to the Royals for a Roldis Chapman. I think right now, now the Rangers won the World Series. But don't you think they'd like to have a guy like Cole Reagan's in that starting rotation? I think so. First, Nesen referenced it tonight. Dave O'Brien brought this up, and I didn't realize it. Dave O'Brien, Kevin Euclus in the booth on Friday night on Nesen. Cole Reagan's has actually had two Tommy John procedures. I didn't realize that. But an all-star, going up against Cooper Criswell, just back up from Triple A. And Red Sox down one-nothing after one. It could have been a lot worse. The Royals had the bases loaded in each of the first three innings against Chriswell. First, inning allowed three straight singles. Salvador Perez, sack fly. Bases loaded, nobody out, one run in. Second and third, one out. Criswell was able to limit the damage. Faced six batters in the first inning. Second inning, N.J. Melendez, reaching on an error by Romy Gonzalez. sack blunt, Melendez ends up at third. A walk first and third, one out. Adam Fraser RBI base hit, two-nothing hit batter. Bases loaded again for the second time in two innings, and it would be three times in three innings against Chriswell. Royals end up with a three run at top of the second. Reagan's bottom of the second, working with a four run lead. Retired the first two batters, two-hour magic. Jamie Westbrook, double. Satan Rafaela, double. Westbrook scores for one ballgame. Criswell, third inning. Retired the first two. A couple of two out singles, second and third. Walked a load 'em up for the third straight inning. God out of it. And left six runners stranded over the first three innings. Bobby Wid Jr. tagging a home run against Chriswell. That in the fourth inning. And that was one of those where they added on. They added on again with Melendez, hitting a home run against Weiser late. Melendez will give you some numbers on him against the Red Sox in his short career at the big league level coming up. But Bobby Wid Jr. the solo home run in the fourth inning to make it five to one. Again, you get bases, you get the guys on base. You get the bases loaded. Once swing of the mat, you can still tie it up. That home run by Melendez really took any wind out of the sale for the Red Sox that they may have had at any point in time. But Wid Jr. first career home run at Fenway Park. And it would've been out of all 30 big league parks. Went to left center field over the green monster. A couple of rows up. His 16th on the season. And again, it would've been out of all 30 big league parks that according to baseball savant. So, royals, take game one. What's that mean? Well, Red Sox entered Friday nights opener. A game up on the Royals for that third wild card spot. And the American League, yes. We're approaching the all-star break. But you have to start thinking about it right now. And now, backs to the wall a little bit. You lose game one. And I think very similar to how you lost game two of the series against the A's just two nights ago. And with that, you fall behind. You have a couple of meek rallies but unable to really do anything to get back in the game. And that was that. So, the Royals now 52 and 43, basically timed for the third wild card with the Red Sox. Red Sox failed to get to 11 games over 500 for the second time in the last few days. Now, it's 51 and 42. And the Red Sox, look at this one. Now, is the AL central? Remember, the Royals lost 100 plus games last year. Got off to a fantastic start. 13 games above 500 at one point. And they've scuffled over the last handful of weeks. They've been inconsistent, let's say that. That might be more accurate. But the Red Sox are now, remember, they split a four game series in Chicago against the White Sox that a few weeks ago, right? But the Red Sox are just seven and 12 against teams from the AL central. And now 12 and 15 against left-handed pitchers this season. We're gonna talk in segment two about what the Red Sox could potentially add and a potential trade partner. That's coming up in our second segment. So a tough loss, yes, for the Sox. Again, failing to get to 11 games over 500 and providing a little breathing room with the Royals who are basically right back there. Time for that third wild card spot in the American League. Can you lose the division? Can you lose a wild card in July? No, but back to the wall to a certain degree now. You gotta take the next two. And it doesn't get any easier to mark 'cause you're facing another all-star in Seth Lugo who's had a career year. Love and wins on the season so far. He's had a couple of bumps in the road recently. He'll go up against Carter Crawford. I'm really looking forward to that pitching match up. Rough start for Cooper-Chriswell. Offense, not doing a whole heck of a lot. Couple of two out doubles, played in the only run of the game. Westbrook, Seydon Ralphiella. And with Cooper-Chriswell, and I'll give him credit, Chriswell, six innings, eight hits, five runs, two runs, two walks, one strikeout. The error by Roman Gonzalez in that second resulting in all three runs being unearned. But Chriswell, one, two, three, fifth inning, and that got him the sixth inning. And he worked at one, two, three, sixth. But does it tell you about the status of this pitching staff right now where, think of Carter Crawford the last time out. Yes, it was at Yankee Stadium. But his pitch count, low. He could have gone another inning. We've seen it a handful of times in the last few weeks and over the course of the season. And I understand it's a long season, protecting the arms. You can get him out of there, get him out of there on a positive note, that says something. But Chriswell got off to a shaky start. But worked at one, two, three, fifth, got the sixth inning. Retired the sign in order again. But maybe it says something about the staff right now, slighting to the injured list. We'll touch on that coming up in our second segment. But I thought it was interesting. I thought Chriswell was gonna be done after five. And on a good note, worked at one, two, three, fifth inning. No, they sent him back out there for a sixth. They needed that one more inning. 'Cause at that point you're thinking, okay, we're trailing. It's set up where we've got Boozer just backed up from AAA earlier in the day. And Weiser, those are gonna be our two guys if we have the eighth and ninth innings. So we need that one more inning from Cooper Chriswell. And he gave it to you. Tip of the cap to him. Again, five runs, two earned. Didn't start strong, giving him three hits to start the game, but finished strong. And maybe saved another arm in that bullpen. But what is the status of that bullpen right now for the Red Sox as they close in? Two more games left. Can Lee Janssen, we haven't seen in a few days? We'll likely see him, certainly in a safe situation over the next couple of days. Maybe he can go back to back games and then have the All-Star break off. That's certainly a possibility. Certainly something they can talk about. Hey, one in each Saturday, one in each Sunday. And he may even want it, just to stay sharp. He's gonna have four days off Monday through Thursday next week. But Chris well getting that sixth inning. I thought about that a little bit and just thought, yeah, there's something to that. But again, he did the job. Retired, one, two, three in the fifth, one, two, three again in the sixth inning. We're gonna touch on Tyler O'Neill, another rough night at the plate. Jaren Duran, before we go to break, Jaren Duran, Rob Refsnider in the lead-off spot. And Duran in the number two spot in the lineup. Refsnider, right-handed batter gets a lefty Reagan's. Okay, but with a tough left-hander on the mound. Maybe you give Duran the night off? Just one, I know he wants to play every day. But he may very well benefit for just a day off. Not only physically, but mentally as well. Watch the game from a different approach. I'll clam about that all day long. It might be time. It might be time also to move Tyler O'Neill. Discuss that next. Locked on Red Sox post-cast, locked on Sports Boston, YouTube channel, the number one place to hang out immediately after every game. Locked on Sports Boston, your team every day. This is the Locked on Red Sox post-cast presented by booking.com. Booking.Yeah, with summer travel heating up, especially travel for baseball games, it's time to experience those cities and explore those cities. You've always secretly wanted to learn more about. Yes, we're talking about your rival cities with hotels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, resorts, and so much more on booking.com. You might just find your perfect stay even in your baseball rival city. A New York fan heading to Boston to catch a game against the Sox at Fenway. A Yankee fan or a meant fan. On Boston's home turf. Want their team to win. Want their New York team to win. But excited as well to have a lobster roll and also fall in love with their waterfront hotel. 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With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it's easy to make your car, the MVP and bring home huge wins. Keep your rider die alive at eBay Motors.com. Eligible items only, exclusions do apply, eBay guaranteed fit only available to U.S. customers. Glad you're with us, tip of the cap to our everydayers. For making locked on Red Sox, their first listen, Gabby Hurlebut's interview with Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Belling now up for your viewing and listening pleasure. Cooper Criswell did make the start for the Red Sox. His first start at the big league level since mid June against the Yankees. Trey Wingenter sent down to AAA. So he'll go to the minor leagues for the first time since joining the Red Sox organization last week in a trade with the Tigers. He did make his Sox debut on Tuesday, Justin Slaton on the 15 day injured list. The move retroactive to Tuesday for Slaton. Right now he's dealing with right elbow inflammation. Alex Cora said it's something that they've been trying to work through over the last couple of weeks with Slaton, but really unable to bounce back from his last outing that last Sunday at New York and a three nothing win against the Yankees and the Bronx. The hope right now is for Slaton to have him back after the Dodgers series right after the all-star break. Gonna have to be careful with a guy like Slaton. First year in the big leagues made his big league debut. Earlier in the season was with the big club out of spring training and you want to be careful with him. You want to be careful with everyone on the pitching staff right now. We know that, but Slaton, first year in the big leagues, five and two record out of the bullpen, a save to his resume, 31 games, 14 inherited runners so far this year and just three scoring and he's been in some high leverage situations. He's been giving the eighth inning. We've seen that with Kenley Jansen set up for the ninth inning on a couple of occasions. Remember, he just gave up one run over his first 10 outings of the season and did not allow a run over his first five outings in March and April at the big league level. Again, pitch last Sunday, got the eighth inning against the Yankees. Also pitching that series last Friday as well a week ago today. So he pitched twice in three days, really unable to come back right elbow inflammation. Right now, I think you can say cautiously optimistic that he'll have his stint on the injury list when he's eligible to come off. He's ready to go, it's the Dodgers, in LA, and the Rockies in Colorado, of course, feel to open up after the all-star break a week from tonight, a week from Friday. Ken Boozer, got an inning. And Boozer did do the job in relief on Friday night and he kept it at a game. He worked a one, two, three, seventh inning out of the bullpen for the Sox. So a couple of roster moves there. Somebody I want to talk about, because I mentioned eighth inning in the rally, first and second, nobody out, three straight strikeouts for Chris Stratton. And then the Royals went in order in the ninth inning against Nick, against the bullpen for the Royals. And that was Nick Anderson getting the ninth inning, but Stratton first and second, two on, nobody out, struck out, three straight batters and he struck out Tyler O'Neill. And, you know, Brian Bayo got pushed back a few days, a couple of starts ago. There was an off day worked in there, they pushed him back and gave him a little bit of extra rest. Tyler O'Neill right now, with how he's going at the plate, he's got to move down in the lineup for me. Because you first move him down in the lineup, because I'm not sure that he's really protecting Raffi Devers when they go three, four in the lineup. And with a lefty, Devers move back to the number four spot, then they kind of go back and forth and O'Neill recently in the number two spot in the lineup, had a good series last week against the Miami Marlins. But his second straight, O for four, O for four, and Thursday's win against the A's with four strikeouts. O for four with two K's including a strikeout, two on a two outs in the eighth inning Friday night. So O'Neill over his last six games, just two hits and 23 at bats and he's not putting the ball in play. 13 strikeouts in his last 23 at bats. And where's the long ball gone? He's now gone 10 straight games without a home run. He's got just one home run and five runs batted in over his last 16 games. So mention Alex Cora and being a free agent after the year does not have a contract beyond the 2024 season. So there's been a lot of talk of Alex Cora is gonna leave the Red Sox organization after the 2024 season and a landing spot could be in the Bronx with the Yankees. We touched on that and Jason Veritak and Ramon Vasquez being future managerial candidates with our locked on Red Sox postcast on Thursday after the win against the A's. So one thing that's on social media right now and it's picking up some steam. And I don't know if it's something that the two teams are discussing or not. It makes all the sense in the world. It also made sense to sign him during the off season because right now what you're hearing with the Red Sox is need a right-handed bat, need starting pitching. Okay. What kind of right-handed bat are you going to get? And Dave O'Brien, Kevin Euclus touched on that. Dave O'Brien was intimating in a couple of different directions, didn't go all the way down the path. But basically saying, hey, Alex Cora said recently, let's be greedy. Let's go after the division. Let's go after the top wild card spot. Let's go after the division, right? Could have picked up a game. Believe the Yankees did pick up the victory against the Orioles last check they were winning in Baltimore for the series opener of that three game set and both teams need to get on track right now. Four one ball game bottom of the ninth inning. So that'll be dated here in just a few seconds. But Justin Turner makes all the sense in the world, doesn't he? There are plenty of people who want to turn her back during the off season. Signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. So there's two different ways you can look at Justin Turner coming back to Boston. One, pay the remainder of what he has for the rest of the season on his contract. And at that point, you're not sending a real prospect back to Toronto. You're not giving anybody up and you're top 10, certainly. You're probably not giving up anybody in your top 20. And I dare to say you're top 30 on Baseball America or MLB pipeline or anywhere. You're not giving up a top 20, top 30 guy, Adam Savali, right? Traded. Want to Milwaukee from Tampa Bay? That's a starting pitcher. You're looking at a rental of a bat for a couple of months. Guy Turner, free agent at the end of the year. So, one, hey, we want Turner, here's what we're willing to give. We're going to take all the money. You don't have to pay Turner anything remaining on his contract for 2024. At that point, you're not giving up any type of prospect. You're giving up a minor leaguer at that point. Not all minor leaguers are prospects. That should be spray painted on a wall somewhere. The second option you have is, hey, Toronto, you're going to pick up either most or at least half, at least half or most of Turner's remaining contract. Now we'll send you somebody that you deem a prospect. One, you're not getting two. You're not getting a prospect. And I'm talking prospect, I'm talking top 20 guy with whatever affiliate you want to talk about. So, Toronto, you pick up the remainder or most of the remaining money on his contract. We'll give you somebody. We'll give you somebody that you deem a prospect. But with that first scenario, if you're that second scenario, rather, if you're allowing the Red Sox or the Blue Jays to remain most of that selling, now you can go out and maybe add a more significant starting picture and more of your top 20 prospects going in the other direction as well. So, I'm all for Turner coming back. There's a need for another right handed bat. Turner comes back, he goes right in the middle of the lineup. Three, four, somewhere five in there. And O'Neill moves down in the lineup because as good as Tyler O'Neill was, he's slumping. 16 home runs, just over 30 runs batted in on the season. And he is striking out a ton. Six games, 13 strikeouts, 23 at bats. So, there you go with that. Red Sox fall six to one to the Toronto, or to the Talking Blue Jays. To the Kansas City Royals in the first game of a three game series, scoreboard watching. Yankees do lead four to one. Who needed the victory in Baltimore more tonight? Yankees or the Orioles who just got swept at home by the Chicago Cubs. I'd say both of them entire need of a victory. Orioles may very well limp to the finish line into the all-star break over the next couple of days. Coming up, numbers of the night and a couple other tidbits as well. We do look ahead to Saturday as the Sox are gonna try to even up the series at a game of peace. Lockdown. Lockdown Sports has launched the first-ever National Sports 24/7 streaming channel on YouTube. Now also available on the Amazon Fire TV and the Free Fire TV channel app as well. Find Lockdown Sports today. Now available, again, free TV channel app with Amazon Fire. Lockdown Red Sox Postcast. Lockdown Sports, your team every day. Oh, brought to you by. Tough one for the Red Sox Friday night. Lockdown Red Sox Postcast. Brought to you by Tax Network USA. Here on the Lockdown Red Sox Postcast, we do pride ourselves on getting you the latest on your team. 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Be sure to mention the Lockdown Red Sox Postcast at checkout and you'll receive a $250 discount off of their services. Again, call 1-800-549-1000 or visit tnusa.com/lockdown and mention Lockdown Red Sox Postcast, you're going to receive a $250 discount for their services. Lockdown Red Sox Postcast, part of Lockdown Sports, Boston YouTube channel also brought to you by Stitch Fix. Now with Stitch Fix, you get a stylist who understands your style, your size and your budget. They do all the shopping for you. It is the easiest way to update your wardrobe this season. With Stitch Fix, you can easily upgrade your wardrobe this year with a professional stylist that helps you find new on trend favorites that will work for you. Stitch Fix makes it so easy. Don't like the shop? They can save you time and effort plus you get outfits that make you look good and feel really good. And if you don't love something, send it back. Shipping, returns, exchanges, always free. Stitch Fix, style that makes you feel as good as you look. Now, the best time to get started at StitchFix.com/MLB and get $100 off is right now. That's $25 off your first four fixes for a limited time only. That's StitchFix.com/MLB for $100 off. StitchFix.com/MLB for $100 off StitchFix.com/MLB. Must redeem within seven days of signup, offer does not include Kid Fixes. All right, we're gonna get into numbers of the night here in just a moment. If you're live with us on the lockdown, Sports Boss and YouTube channel, is Justin Turner a fit for this team the rest of the way? You know you're gonna hear a lot about over the coming weeks with proposed deals between teams, clubhouse guys, character guys. Justin Turner fits those boxes. Justin Turner fixes those boxes and then some. So, Romy Gonzalez playing first base. Romy Gonzalez, E3 in the second, three unearned runs, charged to Cooper, Chris Will, and his record. That ends a streak of five straight games without an error for the Red Sox. That's saying something for a team that has pretty much led major league baseball and errors for about two months now. They've been in that top three, but they've been that top team in miscues over the course of the last, I'd say eight weeks, pretty close to it. So again, the error in the second on Romy Gonzalez, ad first base, Melendez took second base, went to third scored and a streak of five straight games without an error coming to an end for the Red Sox. And how about this? Before I give you one more thought. Eight, the number eight. MJ Melendez has now hit eight home runs in 14 career games against the Boston Red Sox and against Sox pitching. I signed MJ Melendez as a teenager with USA baseball events. He's been on the radar for colleges and pro teams since he was 14, 15 years old. His father, Merval, actually coached at the college level for many years, terrific man and a great baseball family. But MJ Melendez now eight home runs and 14 career games against Red Sox and Sox pitching. Salvador Perez was behind the plate in the opener Friday night for the Royals. And Salvador Perez contributed. He seems to always contribute. Future Hall of Famer, I think so. Down the road when you think the Kansas City Royals, you're gonna think George Brett. You might think Brett Sabrehagen. You might think Dan Quisenberry. But Salvador Perez is gonna be in your top three or four. Perez, one base hit, two RBIs, sack fly and the victory for the Royals on Friday. But I think of this. Took a couple of foul balls. May have tweaked his hamstring or got a cramp in his hamstring when he was catching at one point, big personality. But I was thinking this as he took a foul ball here, took a bump in a bruise here Friday night. Catch your takes one or two every game. Perez to take one, at least one in any on Friday night. But I'm thinking, does Salvador Perez at some point in the next 48 hours bow out and say, hey, you know what? I'm not going to Arlington. I'm gonna bow out. I'm not gonna play in the all-star game. Where does he say, you know what? I wanna be there. It's in Arlington. I wanna be a part of it. 'Cause if he does bow out, and I'm not saying it's gonna happen, but if he does bow out and say, you know what? Not gonna go this year. Not gonna participate. Does that open up the door? Does that open up the door for Red Sox catcher? Connor Wong. I can't think of any other catcher right now that's not an all-star. That's more deserving than Connor Wong. So just something to think about. Over the next 24, 48 hours. The pitching match up on Saturday, Red Sox are gonna try to even up the series at a game of peace, and the Royals are gonna look to clinch the series with wins in each of the first two games in Boston prior to the all-star break. It's a pitching match up I'm looking forward to. Seth Lugo going for the Royals in game two. He'll be making his first career start at Fenway Park. He has pitched in relief at Fenway before. Those previous two outings when he was with the Mets organization back in 2018, then again in 2020. Right now, Seth Lugo number one in the American League, number one in Major League Baseball with a 2.21 ERA. It's not easy. Reagan's Friday night, a loss for the Sox. Seth Lugo on Saturday against Cutter Crawford, numbers on Crawford in just a moment. That's a great pitching match up. I'm looking forward to it. And then you've got Beyo and Singer, and two pitchers I think are very similar. Young talents, couple of bumps in the road every once in a while. You've got to deal with a clunker. You've got to deal with four innings or four and a third innings and 95 pitches. But then they can both go out there and throw seven scoreless. But Lugo back to him, or the Royals are 12 and seven in his 19 starts this year. He's got five scoreless outings this season. And not a lot of work, not a big body of work against Red Sox hitters. Tyler O'Neal. Is he going to be in the lineup? I would say probably not on Saturday. O'Neal scuffling right out at the plate over his last six games, over his last couple of weeks. O'Neal, 0-5, three strikeouts career against Seth Lugo. The only other hitter with a couple of at bats against Lugo, Dom Smith, who was 0-2. And I would dare say that Lugo and Dom Smith probably were teammates with the New York Mets as well. So Lugo, first-time All-Star, starting pitcher after being a reliever with the Mets organization for many years, started as a starter. They put him in the bullpen and he was effective as a reliever for a handful of years. Last year, starter, success with the Padres this year. All-Star for the first time with the Kansas City Royals. Now he goes up against Cutter Crawford. Unless you've been on the moon, you know what Cutter Crawford did his last timeout. Picked up the victory and was outstanding. Last Sunday at Yankee Stadium in a shutout win against the Yankees. He was terrific. Seven innings, four hits, no runs, no walks, four strikeouts, 68 pitches total. He could have gone to nine. He could have thrown a Maddox. Nine innings, say 90 pitches or so. He threw 68 pitches over seven scoreless against the Yankees last Sunday. Go out there and do it again. Right? The sacks for the first time with the win last Sunday at Yankee Stadium. Winning back-to-back starts made by Cutter Crawford for the first time this season. And they've won three of his last four outings. Now Crawford, M.J. Melendez, two base hits, including a home run four RBIs. Salvador Perez, maybe he's not in the game on Saturday, day game after night game for a catcher. 0-5 career against Cutter Crawford with four strikeouts, Hunter Renfro 0-3. Michael Massey was in the lineup Friday night, likely in there again on Saturday. Two for two, a couple of doubles and a pair of walks. Lifetime against Cutter Crawford. First pitch on Saturday is gonna be 4-10 from Fenway Park as the Red Sox look to, even up the series. And then they'll have the rubber game of the three game set coming up on Sunday at Fenway Park leading in to the all-star break. That is gonna do it for us again. Royals win six to one, hit two home runs. Cole Regan's the win and Cooper Criswell, just up from Triple A, taking the loss. Our lockdown Red Sox postcast again follows each and every Red Sox game all season long. We do thank you for making lockdown Red Sox your first listen every day. We are free and available wherever you get your podcast and on the lockdown sports Boston YouTube channel. Afternoon baseball at Fenway Saturday, first pitch again 4-10 Seth Lugo, Cutter Crawford, the pitching matchup. And we will go live within minutes of the last out with our latest locked on Red Sox postcast. 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