Boston Red Sox fans hoping for a break from All-Star designated hitter Rafael Devers in the lineup will be disappointed. Despite an alarming 0-for-19 start to the season with 15 strikeouts, Devers remains in the No. 2 spot against the Baltimore Orioles. While the three-time All-Star has managed four walks in 23 plate appearances, he has yet to hit a ball out of the infield. His 15 strikeouts in the first five games mark an unfortunate MLB record.
Keeping Devers in the second spot isn’t entirely unexpected, as manager Alex Cora made it clear after Monday’s loss that he had no plans to alter the lineup. “The off-day is tomorrow, yeah, and [then] we’re gonna play him,” Cora stated after Devers went 0-for-3 on Monday, per the Red Sox’s official site. “He’s gonna hit second for us.” Cora remains confident in Devers, adding, “He will hit, no doubt about it… It’s just a matter of when.”
Still, Cora’s commitment is notable given the team’s struggles at the plate—Boston entered Tuesday batting just .201 with only 16 runs scored. Devers, however, insists he feels “good” and “comfortable” despite his rough stretch. Calling it a “slump” might even be generous, but Devers remains optimistic. “I know the type of hitter that I am,” he said Monday. “I know that the hits are gonna come sooner rather than later.”