Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers, Andrew Benintendi key in pennant race
Boston Red Sox rookies Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers have come up big the last few games and will be key down the stretch into October.
With the Boston Red Sox tied at two with the Yankees on Saturday afternoon, Andrew Benintendi launched a pair of three run home runs to seal a victory.
Sunday, with the game in the balance once again, rookie Rafael Devers also delivered to tie the game in the ninth. And finally, Benintendi came up big in the10th with a go-ahead single. Devers and Benintendi have taken off of late and have propelled the Sox to a great start in August.
Oh, and the two combined for three dingers on Monday night.
All of this, of course, while fellow rookie phenom Aaron Judge has struck out in 30 consecutive games. But that’s a different story.
In order for the Red Sox to truly reach their potential, they’ll need Devers and Benintendi to
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succeed down the stretch and into October. Not necessarily to the point where the entire pennant race is on their shoulders, but definitely to the point where they provide a well-balanced lineup from that side of the plate. This is also especially crucial when considering that Xander Bogaerts has struggled in the second half, hitting just .186 since the break.
We all know Hanley Ramirez and Mookie Betts can hit with the best of them, though it still remains to be seen whether or not the two rookies can sustain long periods of offensive production.
Devers and Benintendi can create matchup problems
Devers and Benintendi lead the team in home runs with six and five respectively since the break, albeit in only 43 combined games. It’s obviously unrealistic to expect home runs every night for the next six weeks, but these two can still provide balance to their righty counterparts in the lineup. Should they do that, it creates matchup problems for opposing bullpens. Especially those of Cleveland and New York.
Next: Red Sox extra bases: Rafael Devers leaves two MLB managers in awe
As the pennant race thickens, the Red Sox have two young studs to utilize down the stretch. If Devers and Benintendi can solidify the lineup from the left side, hopefully, Betts, Bogaerts, and Ramirez can do so from the right.
Here’s to October.