Game Preview: Royals @ Sox

Nunez (NR) vs. Wakefield (10-8, 4.47)
Fenway Park 705

As if allowing three homers and getting shut out in the series opener wasn't bad enough for Kansas City, the Royals will trot a young pitcher to make his first major league start tonight in Game 2.

This could get ugly.

The Sox hitters should be chomping at the bit to get a look at 23-year-old Leo Nunez, a lanky kid who has appeared in 48 games for KC over two seasons, but was just recalled from AAA and will be thrust into the fire by making his first ML start in place of injured starter John Thompson.

Boston will counter with grizzled vet Tim Wakefield, who began his career in the majors when Nunez was nine years old. Wake is riding a three game winning streak, but he has been less than spectacular in the last two of those outings.

In his past two starts the knuckleballer has allowed 16 hits, 8 earned runs and three homers, and in his past five starts he's given up 29 hits and 20 earned runs in 30 innings (6.00 ERA), with eight longballs surrendered.

Hopefully the presence of a young starter and feeble hitting Royals team combined with and a bunch of hot Boston hitters, namely Manny & Papi, will help Wake get that ERA down and start the Sox off on a nice little winning streak.

And let's hope Nunez doesn't become the next Jesse Litsch.

Go Sox!