3 Red Sox players among MLB’s top playoff performers so far

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning sacrifice fly in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning sacrifice fly in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 19: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox reacts before a game against the New York Yankees on September 19, 2020 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers

Rafael Devers checks in at No. 8 on the list. The 24-year-old is hitting .300 with a 1.017 OPS through five postseason games.

Devers is one of nine players who have homered twice in this year’s playoffs. His first was part of a five-homer onslaught from the Red Sox lineup that set a franchise record in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Rays. The other home run by Devers was a pivotal three-run shot that put Boston on the board in the decisive Game 4.

He now has five career postseason home runs. Only David Ortiz (17), Jason Varitek (11), Manny Ramirez (11), Nomar Garciaparra (seven) and Kevin Youkilis (six) had more in their Red Sox careers. There’s still plenty of time for Devers to climb that list.

His six RBI this postseason places Devers second in the majors behind Houston’s’ Kyle Tucker.

Devers has now driven in 20 runs through 20 career postseason games. That ties Garciaparra for the franchise record in RBI through 20 postseason games. He’s tied with Andruw Jones for the third-most RBI in major league history before turning 25 years old.

This is only his third trip to the postseason since breaking into the majors in 2017 but Devers has already proven himself as a clutch performer under the bright lights of the October stage. The Red Sox are going to need his bat to remain hot as they aim to advance deeper in the playoffs.