That struggle centers around Rafael Devers. His introduction as a full-time designated hitter started with and 0-for-8 stretch with seven strikeouts. That’s highly unusual for Boston’s best hitter and clearly marks the top attention point for the Red Sox through two games. Devers still has confidence in his approach and his fixes could be simple.
“Not catching up with fastballs,” Alex Cora told reporters, per NESN’s postgame coverage. “Very simple. 3-2 counts, the at-bats are OK, right? Not being able to catch up.”
“It’s only been two games,” Devers told reporters through team translator Carlos Villoria, per NESN’s postgame coverage. “I feel comfortable at the plate. I feel good. I haven’t hit the ball but I feel very good. It’s only been two games and I feel everything will change. … I know that I haven’t done my job and I haven’t done what I’m supposed to do. I know that will change.”
Devers only had 15 plate appearances during spring training, though Cora wouldn’t make that an excuse given Abreu’s early production after a 1-for-20 mark for the Red Sox in Grapefruit League play. Continued swings and at-bats will be the best thing for Devers in the coming games.
In terms of advice, Devers said he hasn’t spoken to previous successful Red Sox designated hitters but noted he is “going to have to take the time to call” champions in J.D. Martinez and David Ortiz.
The Red Sox are going to mash at the plate in 2025. It will start with Devers. It just might take a few games or series.
Here are more notes from Friday’s Red Sox-Rangers game:
“Good stuff to takeaway,” Houck told reporters, per NESN’s postgame coverage. “… Little rough last inning there, but some things to clean up.”
“A lot better than what we saw in spring training,” Cora said. “Good fastball. He actually used some four-seamers too up in the zone. That’s something that we’ve talked about to get some room down in the zone. I think overall he did a good job.”
— Kristian Campbell tallied two more hits after he earned his first MLB hit in his debut on Opening Day.
— Boston’s stretch of Devers, Alex Bregman, Triston Casas and Trevor Story went just 2-for-16 in the game.
— The Red Sox did not allow a run in relief once again after four scoreless innings Thursday. Greg Weissert allowed an inherited run from Houck, but the bullpen tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings Friday with Brennan Bernardino following the right-hander.
— Boston went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base.
