"Through five games - and even with ace Zack Greinke's un-Zack-like outing Saturday - Royals starting pitchers boast a combined 2.51 earned-run average. And the rotation's highest-paid arm hasn't even thrown a pitch yet.

That will come today.

Gil Meche, who's recovering from bursitis in his pitching shoulder, remains on track to make his first start of the season in the series finale with the Boston Red Sox this afternoon. It'll be his first regular-season start since Aug. 29.

"I can't wait to wake up and actually know I'm pitching," Meche said.

Meche, who was 6-10 with a 5.09 ERA in an injury-plagued 2009 season, will oppose Boston right-hander Clay Buchholz today. Meche expects to throw around 90-95 pitches.

"We'll keep him below 100 (pitches) probably, continue to watch and see how he's doing," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "We would err on the side of caution."

Meche, who started on opening day for the Royals the last three years, battled lower-back problems and later a fatigued shoulder while being limited to 23 starts last season. He believes those issues are now behind him."