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.

The Red Sox took 2-3 from the Kansas City Royals when they visited KC and are looking to do the same now against a Royals team that has struggled since May.

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.