Rafael Devers’ six-game home run streak ended on May 21 at Tropicana Field. The slugging third baseman broke a Boston Red Sox franchise record and came close to an MLB-best on his home run tear.
As his sixth home run ball left the yard, Devers uncocrked an uncharacteristically high bat flip and his manager celebrated in the dugout. But Devers and Alex Cora’s postgame comments didn’t bring the same excitement.
Despite Devers’ record-breaking series of blasts, Cora and Devers don’t feel the third baseman is as “locked in” as he could be.
“That’s what we keep talking about, he keeps making adjustments, grinding through it, and little by little, he’s feeling comfortable,” Cora said after Boston’s May 20 game at the Trop. “He’s not there yet, I don’t think he’s there yet, probably, if you ask him, he’s not there yet. We’ve been talking about it, yeah. You act surprised, but that’s how we feel.”
The third baseman echoed his manager's sentiments. He admitted he doesn't think much about records, but he was proud to cash in with a runner in scoring position, one of the Red Sox's biggest issues of late.
Alex Cora's comments on Rafael Devers' hot streak are warning to rest of MLB
"In the moment I wasn't thinking about that... When I got to the dugout and I saw my teammates it was a special moment for sure."
— NESN (@NESN) May 21, 2024
Rafael Devers on breaking the franchise record for most consecutive games with a home run | #RedSox pic.twitter.com/aZFyvbm2az
"I've been only hitting one hit per game, and that's not me," Devers said through interpreter Carlos Villoria Benítez. "I like to get more singles and I feel like I've been missing a lot of my pitches. So, for me to be myself, I need to get more hits per game instead of just one per game."
Cora praised the Red Sox star for his record-breaking achievement, but both men emphasized that consistency is key to Devers' success. The skipper said Devers shows up early to put in extra work and that his numbers suggest he understands his role in the lineup as the Sox's biggest player.
Devers has already missed 11 games this season due to a shoulder injury that dated back to spring training and a bone bruisr in his knee. He didn't miss a beat upon his return to action, and his .285/.383/.563 slash line back that up nicely.
If Devers' recent performances aren't as "locked in" as they could be, he'll be even more intimidating to opposing pitchers when he gets to where he wants to be. His ideal performance doesn't necessarily include hitting a home run every game, but he didn't rule out breaking MLB's eight-game homer streak record, currently held by Ken Griffey Jr., Don Mattingly and Dale Long.
"I have time," Devers said.
And with over nine years left on his contract with the Red Sox, he can make even more history than that. But for now, Devers will focus on the bigger picture of competing his hitter profile.