Game 48: Red Sox at Royals lineups and notes

The Red Sox’s struggles at the plate have been well-documented, but they did just enough on Monday night to deliver a 3-1 win for Sonny Gray in the opening game of their three-game series at Kansas City.

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Ranger Suarez, who will take the mound for Tuesday night’s contest, could benefit from some run support himself. The Sox have failed to score a run while the righthander is on the mound in his last two starts.

In his last three starts, Suarez has allowed eight hits and three walks and struck out 21 over 17⅓ scoreless innings. He has not allowed a run over his last 19 innings.

Kris Bubic was scheduled to be the starter for Kansas City, but he was placed on the injured list with elbow soreness. The Royals are expected to go with righthander Bailey Falter to open a bullpen game.

Here is a preview.

RED SOX (20-27): TBA

Pitching: LHP Ranger Suarez (2-2, 2.44 ERA)

ROYALS (20-28): TBA

Pitching: LHP Bailey Falter (0-0, 10.13 ERA)

Time: 7:40 p.m.

TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7

Red Sox vs. Falter: Contreras 0-5, Duran 1-4, Monasterio 0-4, Abreu 1-2, Kiner-Falefa 0-2, Durbin 0-2, Rafaela 1-2, Wong 0-2.

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Royals vs. Suarez: Isaac Collins 1-3, Elias Díaz 5-18, Maikel Garcia 0-3, Kyle Isbel 0-1, Starling Marte 6-21, Michael Massey 1-2, Vinnie Pasquantino 1-2, Salvador Perez 0-2, Lane Thomas 8-22, Bobby Witt Jr. 0-2

Stat of the day: Willson Contreras is 4-for-11 with two home runs and four RBIs in the past three games.

Notes: In his one appearance against the Royals, Suarez allowed one run on four hits while striking out six in five innings of an 11-2 win for the Phillies in 2024. … In five of Suarez’s eight starts this season, the Red Sox have not scored while he’s in the game. … Contreras is batting .296 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 21 games against Kansas City. … The Red Sox have won their last seven series against Kansas City. They are 32-14 vs. the Royals since the start of 2018, their best record against any AL club during that span. … Falter is 1-2 with an 11.17 ERA in three games (two starts) against the Red Sox. … Kansas City outfielder Kyle Isbel is batting .304 during a six-game hitting streak.

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