ARLINGTON, Texas — Instant reactions as the Red Sox (1-1) lose, 4-1, to the Rangers, who rode two solo homers from catcher Jonah Heim and a solid start by righty Jack Leiter to even the season-opening series:
1) It’s extremely early, and super dangerous to make proclamations based off two games. But it’s clear Rafael Devers just doesn’t look right at the plate. His timing is clearly off. Devers struck out four more times Friday and is now 0-for-8 with seven strikeouts; he has swung and missed 14 times over two days.
Devers’ night was punctuated by a strikeout against lefty Hoby Milner with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh
The offense, outside of Wilyer Abreu, largely hasn’t done its job through two nights in Texas. Triston Casas (0-for-8), Ceddanne Rafaela (0-for-8), Connor Wong (1-for-7), Trevor Story (1-for-7) and Alex Bregman (1-for-8) are all off to slow starts (in a very small sample size). Boston had zero extra-base hits Friday.
2) In a twist, Tanner Houck (11.20 ERA, 7 Ks in spring training) had a similarly mediocre season debut to that of Garrett Crochet (0.57 ERA, 30 Ks). It was not enough for a win. Houck ceded two solo shots to Heim to allow Texas to take the lead, then seemed to hit the wall in the sixth inning when he allowed three hits, including a Jake Burger RBI double that made it 3-1 and ended his night.
Houck scattered seven hits over 5 ⅔ innings and walked three (while striking out two). He was charged with four earned runs.
3) Abreu sure loves hitting in Texas. His RBI single off Leiter put the Red Sox on the board in the fourth. He walked and singled twice to start the game and after going 3-for-4, is now 5-for-6 with two walks and five RBIs.
According to the Red Sox, Abreu tied a franchise record in the expansion era (since 1961) by reaching base in seven straight plate appearances to reach a season (Christian Vazquez in 2017, Ted Cox in 1977). His streak ended when he popped out in the top of the ninth.
4) If the Red Sox are going to be successful in 2025, it’ll be because of their speed-defense combo. Through two games, they have gotten production in those areas. Two infield double plays and a great throw from Rafaela to nab Wyatt Langford going from first to third represented a strong defensive night Friday. Jarren Duran and Story picked up steals (Story scored on his). The offense has not carried its weight through two games.
5) Rafaela put on a show with his arm. Right after he nabbed Langford in the sixth, he almost gunned down Burger, who was trying to score on a Josh Jung line drive single to center. Rafaela’s arm is a real weapon.
6) Kristian Campbell had two hits, including a liner through the middle in the fourth. After some early jitters Thursday, the rookie looks comfortable at the plate and is now 3-for-7 with a walk and two strikeouts.
7) Bregman, while again playing steady defense at third base, had his first hit in a Red Sox uniform, a single in the sixth inning.
There’s undoubtedly a sense of calm for the Sox with Bregman and Story on the left side of the infield. Not much is going to rattle those guys out there.
8) Heim has quietly been a Red Sox killer. His two solo shots off Houck put him at five in 20 career games against Boston.
9) Saturday will bring the Red Sox debut of Walker Buehler, who was signed over the winter. He’ll get the start opposite right-hander Tyler Mahle. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET.
