Davis eager to return to the post-season and contribute

CLEVELAND – In the span of a few hours Wednesday, Rajai Davis managed to pick up 27 games in the standings.

When Wednesday began, Davis was a member of the last-place Oakland A’s, 22.5 games behind first-place Houston in the American League West. By the time it ended, he was a member in good standing with the Red Sox, who sat 4.5 games ahead of their closest competitor in the A.L. East.

Being part of a winning organization, one destined to reach the post-season, is what appeals to Davis the most.

“That’s what we play for – to be in playoff contention,’’ said Davis, ‘’and an opportunity to play in the World Series. I’m just excited about this opportunity. I can be more thankful to be in this position. I think playing in October is for me like a candy or a drug. Once you experience it one time, you want to experience it again.’’

Davis spent eight seasons in the big leagues before he was part of a team (Detriot in 2014) that reached the post-season. He was with the pennant-winning Cleveland Indians in 2016 and hit an eighth-inning homer in Game 7 that tied the game at 6-6.

Experiences like those just further whet his appetite for more October baseball.

“Playoff baseball is different,’’ he said. “It’s a different atmosphere, there’s a different vibe out there. The fans are different. It just seems like there’s a (different) urgency.’’

Davis wasn’t in the lineup Thursday, with John Farrell wanting the left-handed hitting Brock Holt in the lineup against Trevor Bauer, against whom he was 2-for-6. But when the Sox get back to Fenway this weekend, Farrell envisions Davis as his center fielder, with Andrew Benintendi sliding back over to left.

“That keeps our corner outfielders consistent,’’ said Farrell, “the familiarity with Benintendi throughout the year (getting more comfortable with) The Wall. Until Jackie’s (Jackie Bradley Jr) return, that’s one alignment that we’ll use.’’

Davis’s chief attribute is his speed and base-stealing ability. The Sox can use him off the bench for such a role, or give him the green light when he’s in the starting lineup.

“He can be a game-changer, with the ability that he has,’’ said Farrell. “This was one area where we’ve had internal conversations, ‘How can we improve?’  I don’t want to say that Rajai is a role player. But this is a particular skill-set where you have a base-stealer at your disposal who can be a game-changer.

“He knows the importance of it, late in games. He’s got good instincts, good-decision-making on the basepaths. So if the situation presents, he can have a major impact.’’

Davis doesn’t shrink from that responsibility. And while he’s an adequate defender and can contribute at the plate, he knows his ability to run is his chief attribute.

“I think I have the most fun on the bases,’’ he said. “That’s me in my element. That’s me just trying to have fun, especially toying with the pitcher’s mind and getting in their head hopefully and cause them to make some mistakes to the plate and (help) these good hitters to get good pitches to hit. Really, that’s the goal. If they can get some good pitches to hit, they can hit a double and I can score (from first). ‘’

Ultimately, the goal will be to play deep into October, with memories of how close he came last fall still fresh in his mind.

“Obviously, it was a memorable experience,’’ he said, “and something I’m going to share with my son. But I’m excited to be on this team. I’m hoping we can do something that we couldn’t do last year – and that’s win.’’