Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers named All-Star starters

The Boston Red Sox will be represented at the 2021 All-Star Game

Fans waited with bated breath yesterday as the voting for the 2021 All-Star Game came to a close at 2 pm. While the polls shut down early in the afternoon, we wouldn’t know who the starters would be until several hours later as ESPN had a primetime slot set aside for the announcement. The Red Sox went into the final phase of voting with a quartet of players more than deserving of a trip to Colorado, and two got the nod.

It should come as no surprise that Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers were named as the starters at shortstop and third base for the American League. Bogey is arguably the best shortstop in the game today while Raffy is easily the best third baseman in the AL. In fact, while Xander edged out his win Devers won his poll in an absolute landslide. With the type of year that these two are having it would’ve been a travesty if they weren’t named as starters.

We’ve seen the relationship between Xander and Rafael grow over the years from being teammates to being brothers. If you knew nothing about the Red Sox and saw the way these two behaved with each other you’d think there was more of a bond there beyond being co-workers.

Speaking of being co-workers, this nod is doubly special as it marks the first time in history that Boston will have a pair of teammates starting an All-Star Game at short and third. Once again showing off the best left side of the infield in baseball today.

This marks Xander’s third All-Star game and the second start of his career. He’s really become the anchor and foundation for this squad and continues to get better with each season. He may not have the “C” on his chest but he’s easily the leader and captain of this squad. They go as he goes. So far this season Bogey owns a .329/.391/.550/.941 slash with 13 homers, 48 RBI, and an AL-leading 25 doubles. Who has the second most, you ask, that would be Raffy with 24.

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As for Devers, he’s been on a scary tear this season and is ready to erase 2019 as his best career season. Boston’s third baseman is hitting to the tune of a .288/.359/.582/.941 clip with 20 homers, an MLB best 69 RBI, and 24 doubles. A slow start to the season has seen him playing catchup but he’s more than making up for the lost time. Just hours before being named to his first All-Star Game he went 3-5 with a dinger and five RBI. That’s one hell of a way to cap off your All-Star campaign if I do say so myself.

The duo has become one of the scariest one-two punches in baseball today and is eerily reminiscent of Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. There isn’t a right answer for which one you pitch to and which one you avoid. If you skip one to get to the other you’re going to pay for it and vice versa. Add in the fact that both have been solid in the field this season, something neither is known for, and this season has been electric for the dynamic duo.

While the Red Sox may see a few more familiar faces make their way to Colorado for the Midsummer Classic, we know these two will be there to put on a show for sure. I doubt this will be the first and only time these two make it to the All-Star Game as neither is slowing down anytime soon. With the Red Sox currently running the baseball world with their MLB best 51 wins, these two are playing a big role in that success. Congrats to Bogey and Raffy and I can’t wait to see you guys in Colorado!