I really like the Red Sox here again as their bats seemed to have come alive last night scoring 8 runs. Not only do I love the pitching match up with Bucholz over Meche, but the Royals bullpen has been atrocious at the start of the season with a 11.05 ERA. It's bad news because they'll need that bullpen today. Meche who is coming off a rehab start is not in 100% shape and his limit should fall between 80-100 pitches.
Red Sox have a strong history against Meche with 178 AB and a .292 average including a .872 OPS. Youk and Pedroia lead the way with a combined 13 for 24. Meche also did not like pitching at Kaufman last year as he had a 5.66 ERA more than a run higher than his road ERA. Same thing goes for day starts with a 5.40 ERA nearly a run higher than his night ERA. While Bucholz had a 3.65 ERA away much better than what he pitched at Fenway this included a start at Kaufman where he threw 6.2 IP allowed 5 hits and 0 ER.
Finally the Red Sox are 8-2 in their last 10 with Bucholz is a favorite, while the Royals are 1-8 in Meches last 9 home starts, and are 3-11 in their last 14 vs. a RH starter.
