Tim Wakefield

Will the fifth time be the charm for Tim Wakefield in his pursuit of career victory No. 200? Wakefield (6-5, 4.90) has given up no more than four earned runs in no less than 6 1/3 innings in his four previous attempts. Sunday, the 45-year-old knuckleballer pitched an eight-inning complete game against Seattle, allowing five runs (four earned) on nine hits. In his career against the Royals, Wakefield is 6-5 with a 5.07 ERA.

Kansas City will counter with right-hander Felipe Paulino. Paulino (1-9, 4.30) has had control issues as of late, walking 11 batters in his last 17 innings of work. On Monday, he took the mound against the Yankees and lasted just five frames. Paulino allowed five runs (all earned) on eight hits while walking five New York batters.

Infielder Mike Aviles has the most experience of any current Red Sox against Paulino with three plate appearances. Ironically, Aviles was traded to Boston from Kansas City earlier this season. Adrian Gonzalez and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are the only other Boston batters who enter Saturday’s game with experience against Paulino.

The Royals have a more telling history against Wakefield. In a combined 48 at-bats, current Kansas City batters enter Saturday’s game hitting .375 with a .434 on-base percentage, .500 slugging percentage, one home run, three doubles and nine RBIs. Former Yankee Melky Cabrera has two of those doubles and boasts a .429/.467/.571 line. Billy Butler is responsible for the lone longball and the other two-bagger, while Alex Gordon is hitting a team-high .571 against Wakefield.

Red Sox vs. Paulino

Mike Aviles (3): 1.000/1.000/1.000, 2 RBIs

Adrian Gonzalez (3) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (2) are hitless.

Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jed Lowrie, Darnell McDonald, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Josh Reddick, Marco Scutaro, Jason Varitek and Ryan Lavarnway have not faced the Kansas City starter.

Royals vs. Wakefield

Melky Cabrera (15 plate appearances): .429 BA/.467 OBP/.571 SLG, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts

Billy Butler (14): .308/.357/.615, 1 home run, 1 double, 3 RBIs, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

Alex Gordon (8): .571/.625/.571, 1 RBI, 1 walk

Mitch Maier (8): .333/.500/.333, 1 RBI, 2 walks

Chris Getz (6): .333/.333/.333, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout

Jeff Francoeur is hitless in two career plate appearances.

Alcides Escobar, Johnny Giavotella, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Brayan Pena and Salvador Perez have not faced the Boston starter.