- Day-To-DayHobie Harris (RP) — Harris was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.05/08
- 10-Day-ILRoman Anthony (LF) — Anthony (wrist) was still sore when taking some swings Monday and will not swing a bat again until at least Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.05/18
- 10-Day-ILTrevor Story (SS) — Story is seeking additional opinions about whether surgery is needed for his sports hernia, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.05/16
- 15-Day-ILDanny Coulombe (RP) — Coulombe (neck) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.05/15
- 15-Day-ILGarrett Crochet (SP) — Crochet (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.05/14
- 15-Day-ILKutter Crawford (SP) — Crawford has been diagnosed with inflammation in his right elbow following an MRI, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.05/08
- OutBrendan Rodgers (2B) — Rodgers (shoulder) re-signed Friday with the Red Sox on a two-year, minor-league contract, Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILTanner Houck (SP) — Houck (elbow) has been making throws out to 105 feet three days per week, MLB.com reports.05/15
- 60-Day-ILTriston Casas (1B) — The Red Sox transferred Casas (abdomen/knee) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILRomy Gonzalez (1B) — The Red Sox placed Gonzalez (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILPatrick Sandoval (SP) — The Red Sox transferred Sandoval (biceps/elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.05/08
- 60-Day-ILJohan Oviedo (SP) — Oviedo (elbow) will be reevaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in two weeks to determine his progress, Marcos Grunfeld of ElEmergente.com reports.05/08
- Day-To-DayAnthony Simonelli (SP) — no05/08
- Day-To-DayJavier Vaz (2B) — Vaz (fingers) has produced a .238/.304/.262 slash line with zero home runs and three stolen bases in 10 games since being activated from Double-A Northwest Arkansas' 7-day injured list April 22.05/08
- Day-To-DayTyson Guerrero (RP) — no05/08
- 10-Day-ILJonathan India (2B) — The Royals announced Tuesday that India underwent season-ending surgery to repair the labrum in his left shoulder.05/08
- 15-Day-ILCole Ragans (SP) — Ragans (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.05/19
- 15-Day-ILKris Bubic (SP) — Bubic (3-2) took the loss against the White Sox on Thursday, pitching four innings and allowing five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out one batter.05/18
- 15-Day-ILMatt Strahm (RP) — Strahm allowed no hits and a walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning in Friday's win against the Mariners.05/16
- 15-Day-ILCarlos Estevez (RP) — Estevez (foot) was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.05/08
- 60-Day-ILJames McArthur (RP) — McArthur will see a specialist after continuing to experience soreness in his right elbow, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.05/19
- 60-Day-ILAlec Marsh (SP) — The Royals placed Marsh (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.05/08
Michael Wacha is the counter-punch, and he's been the best arm in the Royals rotation. 4-2, 2.83 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a string of quality starts that has people floating an All-Star nod for the 34-year-old. Kauffman plays big, Wacha is locating, and a depleted Boston lineup is exactly the kind of opponent that lets him work efficiently into the 7th.
Kansas City isn't exactly cruising either — 20-29, 1-4 over their last 5, and Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic both stuck on the IL behind Wacha. But Bobby Witt Jr. has heated back up to a .309/.383/.503 line, and reports out of KC have the wind blowing out at Kauffman. That's a factor worth tracking on a 7.5/8 total.
Pinnacle's fair price has the Royals at -116 (52.4% to win), but DraftKings is hanging +113 on the home side while the public hammers Boston. That's a notable gap. Two starters with sub-3.25 ERAs, a banged-up road lineup, and wind blowing out — pick your poison, but the under at 7.5 is the side the sharps appear to be on.
Bottom line: Boston needs Early to give them 6 strong because the bats are short-handed and the bullpen isn't built to cover a long night. Kansas City just needs Wacha to be Wacha. First pitch 6:40 PM local.