Red Sox end their losing streak thanks to Rafael Devers
Going into this afternoon the Red Sox had dropped nine straight games to the Rays, Yankees, and Phillies. And they weren’t just losses where the team had a shot, several were blowouts with even the close ones feeling out of reach. For those nine games, even when Boston had the lead, it never felt like they would actually get their hand raised at the end of the night. That all changed today though thanks to Rafael Devers and his white-hot bat.
For much of the season, Devers has been ice cold with flashes of what we saw from the third baseman in 2019. I don’t know what it was about facing Philadelphia, but the dynamic infielder came alive over the last two games. During the short homestand against the Phillies, Raffy notched 6H/3R/4RBI/1HR all while not striking out in any of his at-bats, something that has plagued him in 2020.
Some afternoon pop. pic.twitter.com/tixsTLc0GG
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 19, 2020
Today the Red Sox were able to score six runs on just nine hits with Devers’ two-run homer being the hit that got them back into the game. As has become common with this team, they let the Phillies score early, right in the first inning to be exact. But it was in the third when Raffy brought the game level with a blast to dead center. With new life and some hope, Boston never looked back and never once gave the lead away.
There’s still plenty of work for this team to do as the losing streak put them deep in the basement, but we still have more than half the season left to play. They’re going to need to do some serious winning if they want back into the postseason picture but today was a step in the right direction, that’s for sure.
Devers’ bat was the big story of the last two games but one thing that can’t be ignored is his fielding. He was quick to get to his league-leading 7 errors but hasn’t recorded any in the last handful of games.
The improvements he made at the plate and in the field in 2019 were a big reason why he was thought to be a possible MVP candidate this year. Now that he seems dialed back into his best game, he can salvage 2020 and make a charge for 2021.
For Red Sox Nation, seeing Devers revert back to his old self this year has been incredibly frustrating. Some have hypothesized the short season with the breaks in pre-season. I’ve also seen the idea that the loss of Alex Cora as manager has played a big factor.
I feel like there’s some truth to both, It’s been a weird season and AC was a mentor and pseudo big brother to Devers. After all, it was Cora that believed in Raffy’s abilities to play third and was the one that told the organization that he’d get him there.
All I know is that I’ve been thrilled with what I’ve seen from the youngster over the past few games. His fielding and offense have been off the charts and it’s given the Red Sox some jolt to see results. Granted, they got absolutely embarrassed again last night but that is more the fault of the bullpen, a common theme in 2020.
More from Red Sox News
- Red Sox Nation deserves far more from Fenway Sports Group
- Bizarre trade deadline comes back to haunt Red Sox after Nathan Eovaldi departure
- Red Sox’ Moneyball-style offseason continues with Corey Kluber contract
- Rich Hill’s Red Sox departure puts him within striking distance of unique MLB record
- Red Sox offseason takes another nasty hit with Nathan Eovaldi departure
Devers is going to be one of the centerpieces of the Red Sox going forward as he’s just 23 years old, won’t see arbitration until 2021, and won’t hit the market until 2024. Considering Chaim Bloom made his bones on young talent with plenty of control and low salaries, Devers is perfect for him. Sadly, that salary portion of the equation is about to change, but that could always be balanced out with a long-term extension.
The Red Sox halted all major spending heading into this season to that they could reset the CBT threshold and get back into the financial good graces of the league. As long as we hit the trade deadline at the end of the month, all of that work will be successful and they can get back to spending this winter.
For me, Devers needs an extension and he needs one ASAP. The team already has Xander Bogaerts locked up for the foreseeable future, it’s time to add Raffy to that list. It’s the perfect time for Bloom to pull the trigger on a deal with the luxury tax police off their backs and the third baseman being incredibly young and full of promise. It’s the perfect recipe for the Red Sox to lock in a franchise third baseman for the next handful of years.
Rafael Devers has not only reinvigorated his 2020 campaign over the last two days, but I think he’s done the same for the Red Sox as a whole. Boston may have only won a single game in the last week, but it was won that they desperately needed. If Devers doesn’t find his confidence in the field and at the plate, then the Sox may have dropped their tenth in a row. His bat is waking up and with half the season still, on the calendar, don’t let Raffy and the Sox get hot!