The Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals dueled in the final series before the All-Star break at Fenway Park back in July.
After dropping the opener, the Red Sox responded to take the final two games and win the series against a young Kansas City club with plenty of talent. There's plenty of similarities this season between the Red Sox and Royals, with the two teams in heavy contention for the final American League wild-card spot.
Since the teams returned to play after the All-Star break, the Red Sox are 6-9 but enter Kauffman Stadium fresh off of a pair of series victories. Meanwhile, the Royals are red-hot behind a strong stretch from star infielder Bobby Witt Jr., going 10-5 and winning five of six entering the series.
The Red Sox have the sport's strongest schedule in the second half and sit in the middle of a gauntlet. This series holds particular advantage as the Royals may very well end up being their biggest competition. The Royals hold a 2 1/2 game lead for the final playoff spot entering the three-game set on Monday.
Here are the scenarios for where the Red Sox could end up standings-wise with the Royals after this series:
Boston gets swept: 5 1/2 games behind Kansas City
Boston loses 2/3: 3 1/2 games behind Kansas City
Boston wins 2/3: 1 1/2 back behind Kansas City
Boston sweeps series: 1/2 game up on Kansas City
It's only early August, but that sentiment can go both ways for the Red Sox. There's time to surge, but a slip in this series and allowing the Royals to claw back in a head-to-head battle could have major consequences down the stretch.
