Boston Red Sox: Rafael Devers, E-Rod and Sox dominance over Yankees

The Boston Red Sox need to hand Rafael Devers a blank check and let him fill out the rest.  In other words, give this man whatever he wants to keep him in Boston long term.

If he played against the New York Yankees 162 times a year, it would be scary as to how much that contract would be worth as this 24-year-old stud just kills the Pinstripes.  In fact, watching Devers blast homers against the historic rivals has become as common as the Fenway faithful singing “Sweet Caroline.”

On Friday night, there was plenty of buzz around the landmark stadium as the Red Sox blasted the Yankees 6-2 in the second game of the weekend series.

Boston Red Sox star Rafael Devers led team to victory with power and a smile

While starter Eduardo Rodriguez did have an early exit, the story of the game was really Devers who launched two homers in the game to lead his team to victory and further establish himself as a clutch hitter at the plate and an offensive force certainly in the conversation for team MVP.

"“He’s one of the best third basemen in the big leagues and he’s only 24,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said following the game, via MLB.com.  “And he’s still working hard to get better, not offensively, but defensively.”"

It is that overall improvement that makes Devers not only an All-Star, but certainly MLB’s best third basemen.  He leads all third basemen in homers (26), RBIs (79) and slugging percentage (.582).  If those numbers aren’t enough to backup Cora’s claim, he’s absolutely clutch.

Just ask Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.

With the game tied 1-1, Cole had to face Devers with a runner on base.  The phenomenal hitter that is Devers did what he does best against the Yankees.  He sent a 99.2 mph fastball into the Fenway night to give the Red Sox a 3-1 lead and then blasted his 100th career homer later in the game to solidify the 6-2 victory.

Yeah, I’d say pay this man anything he might demand.