2) We wish we predicted the Red Sox lineup would be elite even with Rafael Devers having a down year
With Xander Bogaerts gone, this is Rafael Devers' team. That was solidified when he signed his mega-extension before the season began. Devers is the centerpiece of this lineup, or at least he's expected to be.
So far this season, the star third baseman has gotten off to a bit of a slow start. He's slashing .248/.301/.537 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI. The power is there, and he actually leads the league with those 11 longballs. Just the rest of his game feels off right now.
His .838 OPS isn't bad, but it's not what we expect from Devers. It's the lowest mark he's had since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, and the lowest mark he's had in a full season since 2018. Will things improve? Probably. When he gets going, look out.
Even with Devers not playing at his best right now, the Red Sox are third in runs scored and are third in OPS. The team is mashing even with their best player underperforming.
Players like Alex Verdugo and Masataka Yoshida are carrying the load, but Boston has gotten some contributions from players we didn't expect much from. Adam Duvall was raking before going on the IL. Guys like Enmanuel Valdez and Jaren Duran have performed exponentially well since being called up.
The bullpen being good is the biggest difference from last season, but Boston was ninth in runs scored last season. The offense has been better despite losing Bogaerts and with Devers not at his best. Who would've thought?