This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/royals as Red Sox-Royals Series Marks Critical Inflection Point For Kansas City. Look, it's fair to say that every series is critical for the Kansas City Royals for the rest of the season. But this trip to Fenway Park to face the Boston Red Sox feels extra consequential.

Brayan Bello is on the mound Monday as the Sox open up a three-game series with the Royals. Bello threw seven innings of one-run ball in a blowout win over the Twins last week.

Bergert arrived from the San Diego Padres. He owns a 2.78 ERA in 11 games (seven starts) while holding opponents to a .186 batting average. The Royals will conclude the Red Sox series with Michael Wacha starting on Wednesday night.