The Royals are in the throes of one last push to make a run at defending their World Series title. They will try to keep their hot streak going Friday in Boston behind a starter who has played a major role in their resurgence. Ian Kennedy (8-9, 3.58 ERA) was having a disappointing year until a recent about-face in which he has had five straight outings of going at least six innings while yielding one or fewer earned runs. He is 2-0 with a 0.79 ERA during that span for the Royals, who have won 10 of their last 11 to move within four games of a wild-card spot. The Red Sox enter Friday tied for the AL East lead with Toronto after dropping two of three to the Rays, their persistent nemesis. Boston will send out Steven Wright (13-5, 3.01 ERA), who is coming off a complete-game, three-hit shutout in a 9-0 win over the Dodgers. He is 7-1 with a 4.02 ERA in 11 home starts. Even so, the current form of the pitchers and the clubs dictates the value on the Royals as a substantial underdog Friday.