A couple of Boston’s top hitters could be in line for a big weekend in Kansas City. Heading into the series opener Friday night Irv Smith Jr. Jersey , Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez and Mitch Moreland had gone a combined 15 for 27 (.556) with six home runs in three games against the Royals. The trio will have another opportunity to feast on Kansas City pitching on Saturday night when 22-year-old rookie Brad Keller takes the mound for the Royals. Keller has a 2.09 ERA in 56 innings this season and is making his seventh start.

RAY’S REBOUND

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Robbie Ray looked sharp during his first start since missing two months with an oblique strain, throwing six scoreless innings in a win over Miami. Ray wasn’t nearly as effective in his last start when he allowed six runs in five innings against St. Louis. He is hoping to bounce back when he takes the mound against the San Diego Padres.

CY SEVERINO?

New York Yankees ace Luis Severino made the jump to Cy Young Award contender last season Alexander Mattison Jersey , finishing third in the American League voting after posting a 14-6 record and 2.98 ERA. The 24-year-old right-hander has been even better this season, leading the AL in wins (13) and ERA (1.98). Severino will try to add to his stellar resume and help New York keep pace with Boston when he takes the mound at Toronto.

PRIMED PAXTON

Seattle’s James Paxton has experienced plenty of success this season, like his no-hitter against Toronto on May 8. The left-hander had his best start since the no-hitter in his last outing Dru Samia Jersey , striking out 11 while pitching eight innings of two-hit ball in a 1-0 win over Kansas City. Paxton will try to continue his breakout season when the Mariners hosts the Colorado Rockies.

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Cardinals right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha returned to St. Louis on Thursday for an MRI.

The Cardinals placed Wacha on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique strain before Thursday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers. They recalled right-hander John Gant from Triple-A Memphis.

”Everyone has injuries,” Cardinals general manager Michael Girsch said. ”We’ve just got to deal with it.”

Wacha accompanied the team as it flew to Milwaukee from Philadelphia, but then he continued on to St. Louis for the medical scan.

”We have not gotten an MRI yet Daniel Jones Jersey ,” Girsch said. ”Hope to have it tonight.”

Wacha, who leads the team in wins (8-2) and strikeouts (71) in 15 starts with a 3.20 ERA, left Wednesday’s start against the Philadelphia Phillies with the injury. He surrendered a two-run homer to Cesar Hernandez in the fourth inning and pitched to one more batter before he was replaced by Mike Mayers. The Cardinals lost 4-3.

It’s the third time this season that Gant has been recalled. He is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA in seven appearances Dexter Lawrence Jersey , including three starts for the Cardinals this year.

Gant could be a candidate for a start on Monday.

”Gant will be available in the bullpen the next few days,” Girsch said. ”We still feel we have good options in the rotation. They’re all capable of going the rest of the way. Obviously, we’d like to get guys back and have more depth.”

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