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Royals, desperate for bullpen turnaround, host Red Sox

Facing the visiting Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night in the finale of a crucial three-game series, the Kansas City Royals’ bullpen remains under heightened scrutiny. Since July 23, Kansas City has won seven of 14 games, mostly due to hot hitting and solid starting pitching. In that span, relievers have five blown saves, with closer James McArthur suffering the most damage, allowing 11 runs — nine earned — in seven games.

McArthur allowed multiple runs in three games, taking two blown saves for losses. But Royals manager Matt Quatraro said he remains confident in his closer. “If we’re going to win games, he’s going to be a big part of this,” Quatraro said. “He’s going to get outs, and we’re not running away from him.” Addressing their bullpen weakness before the trade deadline, the Royals acquired right-handers Hunter Harvey and Lucas Erceg.

Harvey has allowed runs in three of six appearances with Kansas City, including a pair of ninth-inning runs in a 6-5, extra-inning loss to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. He rebounded for a save the next day. “We’re going to take our chances every time we go to the ninth 3-1 with him on the mound,” Quatraro said. Angel Zerpa also recently ran into trouble, allowing five hits while facing six batters in Monday’s 9-5 loss to Boston, allowing two inherited runners to score before surrendering four of his own.

Kansas City will send left-hander Cole Ragans (8-7, 3.36 ERA) to the mound in Wednesday’s series finale. In two career starts against the Red Sox, Ragans is 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA. He earned the win July 12 in Boston, allowing a run on four hits in seven innings, striking out seven. Over his past four starts, he is 3-1 with a 3.70 ERA. Looking for their first series sweep since July 2-4 at Miami, the Red Sox will counter with right-hander Kutter Crawford (7-8, 3.81), who has won four of his past five decisions despite surrendering 12 homers in his past three games.

Crawford is 1-2 in three starts against the Royals, posting a 4.70 ERA, and earned the win July 13 with seven innings of three-hit shutout pitching. Trailing the Royals by a half-game in the chase for the final American League wild-card spot, the Red Sox have won four of five games against them this season. Masataka Yoshida led Boston to wins in the first two games, collecting six hits — three for extra bases — and homered in Tuesday’s 6-5 win.