Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers, Alex Verdugo emerge from hibernation

Dreams of a 159-3 season for the Boston Red Sox fell by the wayside on Thursday. A loss to the Minnesota Twins snapped a nine-game winning streak, but the spark of hope for Boston remains strong.

It nearly could have been a win streak of ten, thanks to Alex Verdugo making Thursday’s game interesting.

A day after Verdugo made a game-preserving catch, the outfielder knocked a bases clearing, bases loaded double in the bottom of the eighth inning. The double tied the game at three and gave new life to the Red Sox.

Unfortunately, a bloop single by Max Kepler off of Adam Ottavino with one out in the bottom of the ninth gave the Twins the win.

With only four hits, the Boston bats were quiet most of the day. The Red Sox entered the game second only to the Cincinnati Reds in runs scored. And while the bats of J.D. Martinez and Christian Vazquez quieted as the week wound down after a stellar first week, Verdugo and Rafael Devers stepped into the spotlight.

Verdugo has eight hits in his last five games and driven in nine runs. He hit his first home run of the season last Sunday on a day when he, Martinez, and Devers combined to go 8-16 with six home runs and 12 RBI.

Since hitting three home runs on Sunday, Martinez is hitless in nine at-bats.

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Devers, meanwhile, had a home run in four straight games. Prior to Thursday’s 0-4, three-strikeout performance, Devers had hit safely in six straight games (10-24), hitting all five of his home runs during this span.

Offense was expected to carry the Red Sox in 2021. The pitching staff has mostly been on point in the season’s first 13 games, helping Boston to a plus 23 run differential through two weeks.

The great thing that’s happening is when a couple of players are struggling at the plate, others are stepping in to pick them up. Imagine once they get on the same page. It’s going to be a virtual feast for the offense, taking even more pressure off the pitchers.

More importantly, the Red Sox are out there having fun again. It’s a byproduct of winning, but it’s a symbiotic relationship. Playing relaxed and focused leads to winning and winning returns the favor.

First place has a nice ring to it and Boston returns to Fenway Park beginning Friday, hoping to keep the party going.

Boston Red Sox: Upcoming week

Ten straight home games are on the docket for the Red Sox, beginning Friday with a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox.

The teams did not play each other in 2020, with Boston going 5-2 against the White Sox in 2019. Carlos Rodon, fresh off his no-hitter, is slated to pitch on Monday. In two starts this season, Rodon has allowed only two hits in 14 innings.

Next up is a quick two-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays. The teams split ten games last season and this will be their first meeting in 2021.

Closing out the home stand will be the Seattle Mariners. Boston went 4-3 against Seattle back in 2019.

The Red Sox began their third turn through the starting rotation yesterday. They’ve been getting solid work from this group, especially during the winning streak.

Nick Pivetta will get things started on Friday, looking for his third win of the season. He’s also scheduled to be the first starter in Seattle series.

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Generally, the outlook has been rosy in this surprising start for the Boston Red Sox. They’ve won pitching duels and slugfests, which are good signs as the team finds multiple ways to win. Keep building off the early success and good things are bound to happen.

And a chance at 158-4 is only a 149-game winning streak away.

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