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.
One baseball was harmed in the making of this highlight. pic.twitter.com/sY8T5f4OaT
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 24, 2021
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.
Boston Red Sox strike zone: Eduardo Rodriguez just can’t catch a break
It seems like every time things are trending up for Boston Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, health gets in the way.
With the way Rodriguez started Friday night’s game against the New York Yankees in coming out blazing with a quick 1-2-3 first inning, it appeared the Red Sox lefty was off to another solid start. But, as quickly as he took down the Yankees in the first inning, things went south for the Sox pitcher.
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After the Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, things didn’t seem right on the mound for Rodriguez. In was later confirmed as migraine symptoms, Rodriguez excited the game early. At the time, the cause was mysterious as Red Sox manager Alex Cora admitted after the game.
"“I thought it was an injury,” Cora said, via MLB.com. “We went out there and talked to him and he was telling me how he felt, what was going on, you know. ‘Just take a deep breath and we’ll take you out of the game.’ That’s what we do. You’ve got to take care of players – I mean, that’s the most important thing. And now, we’ve just got to see how he reacts tonight, how he feels tomorrow, and we go from there.”"
Hopefully, things will be okay for Rodriguez, who seemingly can’t catch a break when it comes to both injuries and illnesses. After battling COVID-19, the Red Sox pitcher missed the entire 2020 MLB season due to myocarditis.
After getting off to a blazing start on the mound in 2021, Rodriguez has once again struggled with injury. Now, he has possible migraine issues to battle if he ever wants to be a consistent force on the mound, he has shown glimpses of.
With concerns lingering over Rodriguez, the Red Sox did bounce back both offensively and, in the bullpen, to lift the team to their 31st comeback victory.
Recent callup Phillips Valdez impressed with seven strikeouts in three scoreless innings and Yacksel Rios, Garrett Whitlock, Darwinzon Hernandez and Brandon Workman all held it down on the mound to secure the victory.
Boston Red Sox manager minute: Alex Cora, Sox dominance over Yankees
The great thing about the 2021 version of the Boston Red Sox is that they battle and fight to the end. That’s why they have 31 comeback victories this season and sit on top of the American League East.
What is also great is how they are dominating the New York Yankees.
Following the 6-2 victory over the Yankees on Friday night, the Red Sox are 9-2 against the Pinstripes and have seemingly beaten them in every way. Take away the two losses in the last series in the Bronx, Alex Cora and his Red Sox have the Yankees number this season as they are doing what they failed to do in that last series following the MLB All-Star break. They are burying them.
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After these last two games, the Yankees are 9 games out of first place and the Red Sox can set them further back with a sweep.
But, besides Rafael Devers showing the Yankees who’s their daddy on a consistent basis, the manager continues to just push the right buttons, make necessary moves that helps the team’s overall success and inspire his players. He also respects the competitive side of the game.
As much as it’s great to whip up on the pinstripes, Cora still has compassion for the opposing team, particularly his good friend Aaron Boone and his challenge managing an underperforming Yankees roster who also had to deal with COVID-19.
"“I know what Boone is going through over there with the roster and it really sucks,” Cora said after the first game of the last series, via NJ.com. “This is not about competition. It’s about human beings. We’re going through a pandemic and it’s hard on everybody. “The competitive side, of course we went to come here and win the series. But this stuff…it really sucks. I feel for them. I really feel for Boone because I know how hard it is with the pandemic.”"
Of course, those comments were referring to the Yankees losing several players before the team’s 4-0 victory due to COVID protocols. But it just shows the respect Cora has for the game, even if the cheating scandal that led to a year-long suspension puts a dent in that.