Alex Cora witnessed another tough game from Rafael Devers, this time during the final matchup between the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. The series had started strong for Boston with a win, but the last two games turned into a disaster—particularly for Devers, who struggled as the designated hitter.
Devers has made MLB history for all the wrong reasons, becoming the first player ever to strike out 10 times in the first three games of a season. Codify points that only two other players—Wally Post in 1956 and Greg Luzinski in 1974—had even reached nine. Despite the brutal slump, Red Sox manager Alex Cora has been quick to defend his star, offering explanations for Devers’ struggles at the plate.
Cora initially pointed to Devers not catching up to fastballs, assuring that he’s working through it and will be fine. More recently, he downplayed concerns by saying Devers is “feeling good” and that the team will continue to play him while managing his workload. However, as the strikeouts pile up, patience may start wearing thin among Red Sox fans.
Devers’ most recent game mirrored his previous struggles at the plate, as he struck out three times—just one less than in the second game of the series. However, he did manage to produce an RBI in the third game, though it wasn’t off his bat; it came as a result of a walk.
The First Excuse for Devers’ Struggles
Before the final game of the series against the Rangers, Cora addressed Devers’ struggles, saying, “Not catching up with the fastball… He’s gonna keep working. That’s what he’s been doing the whole time, and he’ll be alright.” However, things haven’t gone as planned for the Dominican star, who posted a .274 batting average in 2024.
That same day, Devers, accompanied by his translator, admitted that he wasn’t playing well and expressed his determination to improve. “I know that I haven’t done my job, and I know that I haven’t done what I’m supposed to do. But I know that everything will change.”
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