Kansas City Royals vs Boston Red Sox Picks and Predictions May 9th 2025

Kansas City Looks to Extend Dominance Behind Shutdown Staff

Fresh off a four-game sweep of the Chicago White Sox, the Kansas City Royals return to action Friday night against the Boston Red Sox, backed by elite starting pitching and a rejuvenated offense. Kansas City has now won six straight games, nine of their last 10, and 15 of their past 17 overall.

Despite Bobby Witt Jr.’s four-hit performance on Thursday and a season-high-tying 17 hits in the series finale, the real buzz in the Royals’ clubhouse was about their pitching staff.

Kansas City’s starters allowed just two runs (one earned) over 25 2/3 innings in the White Sox series, scattering 19 hits, striking out 26, and walking just seven.

“It’s remarkable,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “We believe in this pitching staff. These guys have a high ceiling, and right now they’re executing at a high level.”

That execution has translated into six shutout victories in their last 13 games—a mark that puts them in elite company league-wide.

Track starting pitching trends and shutdown performances at the MLB Odds Page.

Lorenzen to Open Against Red-Hot Royals

Michael Lorenzen (3-3, 4.23 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals on Friday in his first career start against the Red Sox. Lorenzen, a veteran righty, has been a stabilizing force in the middle of the Kansas City rotation this year.

Though he allowed two runs in one-third of an inning in a 2017 relief outing against Boston as a Cincinnati Red, that small sample won’t overshadow his more recent success.

Kansas City’s rotation is firing on all cylinders, thanks to a mix of Michael Wacha, Kris Bubic, and now Lorenzen holding opponents in check. The Royals have also benefited from improved defense and tighter bullpen control.

Dive into pitcher profiles and betting splits at the MLB Expert Betting Guide.

Boston Turns to Rookie Hunter Dobbins

The Red Sox will counter with Hunter Dobbins (2-1, 3.78 ERA), a promising rookie making his fourth career start. He’s coming off a solid outing despite taking his first MLB loss—he gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings against a hot Minnesota Twins lineup.

In that game, Kody Clemens, son of former Boston ace Roger Clemens, tagged him for a two-run homer. Still, Dobbins’ poise and ability to minimize damage have impressed early on.

Friday will be Dobbins’ first appearance against the Royals, and he’ll face one of the league’s hottest teams in a hostile road environment.

Keep an eye on player-by-player projections and matchup insights via the MLB Team Page.

Royals’ Offense Catching Fire at the Right Time

While the pitching staff garners headlines, the offense has started to match their pace.

• Bobby Witt Jr. is batting .357 over his last 10 games and posted his eighth career four-hit game Thursday.
• Jonathan India has sparked the top of the lineup with two hits, two RBIs, and three runs scored in the finale against Chicago.
• MJ Melendez and Vinnie Pasquantino have also produced timely hits during the Royals’ current stretch.

“We’re firing on all cylinders right now, and it’s fun,” said India. Witt echoed the confidence: “We’re playing Royals baseball, and that’s just how it’s going to be.”

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Red Sox Rally to .500 After Texas Series

After dropping the opener 6-1, Boston bounced back with two straight wins over the Texas Rangers, capped by a 5-0 shutout on Thursday. Rafael Devers led the way with a homer and two RBIs, while Trevor Story scored twice and added a stolen base.

Four pitchers combined for a five-hit shutout, giving the Red Sox a much-needed confidence boost heading into a six-game road trip that continues in Detroit after the Royals series.

“Really good sign that we bounced back,” said Story. “To be able to bounce back and get these last two, hopefully we can ride that momentum into Kansas City and Detroit.”

Boston’s bullpen, however, has been inconsistent on the road, and Dobbins will need solid support if he’s going to navigate Kansas City’s opportunistic offense.

Series Outlook: Royals Have the Edge

Based on recent performance and home-field advantage, the Royals enter the weekend as early favorites. Kansas City’s rotation has been dominant, and the lineup has come alive. Meanwhile, Boston is relying on a rookie in Game 1 and is just 2-5 in its last seven road openers.

Key Factors:

• Kansas City is 14-3 in its last 17 games
• The Royals are 10-0 in their last 10 home games vs. the White Sox
• Boston is just 5-5 in its last 10 road games
• The Royals’ starters have a 1.01 ERA over their last five games

Check live moneyline movement and over/under totals on the MLB Scores and Odds page.

Matchup to Watch

Bobby Witt Jr. vs. Hunter Dobbins
Witt has been seeing the ball well and is lethal against right-handed pitching. If Dobbins struggles with command early, Witt could set the tone quickly with extra-base damage.

Michael Lorenzen vs. Rafael Devers
Devers has started to heat up and remains Boston’s most dangerous bat. Lorenzen will need to keep the ball down and avoid falling behind in the count.

FAQs

Who is starting for Kansas City and Boston on Friday?
Michael Lorenzen (Royals) vs. Hunter Dobbins (Red Sox).

How many games in a row have the Royals won?
Kansas City enters the series on a six-game winning streak.

How is Hunter Dobbins performing in his rookie season?
Dobbins is 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA across three starts.

Is Bobby Witt Jr. on a hot streak?
Yes, Witt just logged his eighth career four-hit game and is batting over .350 in his last 10 games.

What are Boston’s road trends entering the series?
The Red Sox are 5-5 in their last 10 road games and begin a six-game road trip Friday.

Where can I get expert MLB betting advice?
Visit the MLB Expert Betting Guide and Free Plays for daily picks.