McAdam: For Sox, it's all coming up Xander (8 hits, 5 doubles, HR) to start season

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – It’s only been three games.

Small sample size.

It’s still early.

All of which are undeniably true. But what a three games it’s been for Xander Bogaerts.

With a double, homer and single Saturday night in the Red Sox' 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, Bogaerts has eight hits in his first three games, including three multi-hit games. Of those eight hits, six have been for extra bases.

By comparison, consider: after Bogaerts was hit in the right hand last July 6 – in this very ballpark, by the way – it took him 30 games to collect his six extra-base hits. All of which was understandable, given that he was essentially trying to hit one-handed.

This year, he has that many extra-base hits before the first series is complete.

But this is about more than being healthy, though surely, that’s a big part of his turnaround at the plate. It’s also about a new approach, and a renewed aggressiveness.

Bogaerts was a pet project of sorts this spring, working with new hitting instructor Tim Hyers. The Sox wanted to see more loft and less passivity in the box, and he’s given them both.

Everything he’s hit has been hit hard. He’s pulled the ball with authority, and when the situation has called for it, he’s been unafraid to take the ball the other way, as he did with an eighth-inning single which he plunked to right field.

Asked if this is how he drew it up for Bogaerts, Hyers burst out laughing. “Yeah,’’ he said, “in my dreams.’’

But this is no dream. These are real results, albeit achieved in the first three days of a season when outcomes get skewed and overreactions are common.

“His confidence level is sky high right now,’’ said Hyers, turning more serious. “I’m seeing a guy who’s consistent with his stroke. We talked about that first move in spring training – that first move of getting into his base. He comes in with that same game plan every day. And his pitch selection is really good right now, too.

“He’s staying through the ball. He’s turning when he needs to. Everything’s going his way right now.’’

So much so, in fact, that Bogaerts appears reluctant to address his record-setting start, as though talking about it will jinx him. He keeps his answers short, shrugs off the praise he’s getting and doesn’t look to tempt fate. He knows that he can’t possibly keep up his .667 batting average or his comical 1.333 slugging percentage. Neither can last, nor can the pace he’s on.

“It feels good to contribute,’’ said Bogaerts, clearly uncomfortable with the line of questioning.

As quickly as he could, as if intent on changing the subject, Bogaerts shifted the conversation to a play he made at shortstop in the ninth. With the tying run on first in speedy Mallex Smith, Bogaerts caught a low liner from pinch-hitter C.J. Cron, then zipped a throw to first to double up Smith and move the Sox to within an out of closing out their second straight one-run win.

When asked if he thought of allowing the ball to drop, so that he could get the force at second and possibly start a double play, Bogaerts conceded it crossed his mind.

“That was the initial thought, ‘’ he said, “as the balls coming. But then I thought, ‘You’re not that good, so just catch the ball.’ If he’s off the base, throw it over, but don’t risk it.’’

That worked out, too, as he got the double play anyway. Like everything else he’s tried in the first three games, he seems unable to do any wrong.

“I just think he’s ready from pitch one,’’ concluded Hyers, “and he’s not waiting around.  And getting the results in the first series of the season, I think it’s helped settle him down. I think that first game (three hits, including two doubles) really helped him find his groove.’’

It’s literally a historic groove. Since 1908, only one other player has ever had multiple extra-base hits in each of his first three games: Adrian Gonzalez did in with the Dodgers in 2015.

“It just feels good, results-wise,’’ said Bogaerts. “You’re going to go up and down (over the course of the season). You just try to remain focused, try to remain consistent and help out.’’

All the while telling yourself: It’s only been three games.