Rafael Devers’ historic slump continues, Casas and Story ice cold, a look at the Red Sox' series opener in Texas and Baltimore

The Red Sox are just five games into the new season, and their early offensive woes are concerning. After winning the season opener, Boston has lost four consecutive games, the final three to Texas and the series opener to the Orioles, 8-5. 

There were positives over the first five games, but the negatives are outweighing them. The Sox' defense has been solid, the bullpen looked fantastic in Texas, not so hot in Baltimore, the starters have looked fine, and the offense scuffled, badly. It's been a mixed bag for the hometown nine, but at the end of the day, the Sox are under .500 and are completely lost at the plate offensively. 

Let's look at the biggest takeaways from the series down in Arlington and the series-opening loss to the Orioles from Baltimore. 

OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES

The Red Sox struggled to generate any sort of offense over the weekend in the series loss to the Rangers. They were 1-for-24 with runners in scoring position over the final two games of the series. Boston also struck out 42 times highlighted by Rafael Devers and Triston Casas, combining for a 1-for-32 performance with 19 strikeouts.

It’s been overstated that Devers has been off to a disastrous start. He’s 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts and four walks on the year; he’s also the first MLB player to strike out at least 12 times over the first four games of a season. 

The slumping slugger added another three strikeouts to his season total after an 0-for-3 performance in the series opener with the Orioles. 

Devers struggles are coming as he is attempting to settle into his new role as the club’s designated hitter. The Sox’ former third baseman never had a normal spring training, playing in just five games and taking 14 Grapefruit League at-bats. Large in part due to trying to regain his timing in the batting cages after spending the offseason rehabbing his shoulders, which bothered him over the course of the 2024 campaign. 

One major reason for Devers' early struggles is his timing is off at the plate and can’t catch up to the fastball. He wore the Golden Sombrero on Friday after striking out four times. That includes a back-breaking strikeout with the bases loaded in the seventh. Devers also made changes to his foot placement in the batters box that haven’t yielded any positive results. 

“That's something that we have noticed,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Without going too deep into it, if you're not grounded, you're not going to be on time. Obviously we know Raffy needs to get on the fastball. How we’re going to get there is the question.”

Cora also ruled out two potential causes for Devers’ early-season slump at the plate. Many have speculated that his shoulders could still be an issue, or he’s still upset about being the team’s everyday designated hitter.

“It’s not the shoulder. It’s not the DH thing,” Cora said following the defeat to the O's. “And he was very vocal about it a few days ago. And the shoulder, he’s fine. Now it’s a matter of keeping working hard but getting to the point of hitting the ball out in front. That’s it. If you look from the side, it’s behind, sometimes more than others."

Casas has been equally as bad, going 1-for-17 (.058) with one walk and seven strikeouts. The 25-year-old made a point in spring training that he’s focused on cementing himself as a household name in the game. He wants to mash 40 homers and drive in 120 RBI over the course of a season. 

“I think that is the expectation for the first baseman of the Boston Red Sox. I think if I’m not able to do that, then I don’t deserve a job here,” Casas said early in March on being considered one of the game's best hitters. “I don’t feel that’s out of my reach. I feel like that’s something that’s very possible for me to accomplish."

The Sox sat the left-handed slugger for the first game of the Orioles series despite having good success against their starter Cade Povich. He's 3-for-5 with a homer and a double in his career against the left-hander.  

Alex Cora said in spring training that he plans on playing Casas every day, against both righties and lefties. The Sox’ skipper is calling Casas’ removal from the lineup on Monday as a “manager’s decision.”

“I gotta play everybody here,” Cora said when asked if he was going to use Casas against left-handed pitchers this season. “We have four games. Ref (Rob Refsnyder) hasn’t played, Romy (Gonzalez) hasn’t played. They gotta play. Today’s the day. It’s not about Casas. It’s about the other guys. They need to play, too.”

Cora doesn’t seem concerned over Casas’ slow start. 

 “Just getting beat in the zone,” Cora said. “Not chasing pitches. He got crushed a few times, 3-2 counts. Fastball in there. It was a strike. I think there was something down. But same thing — controlling the strike zone, getting beat in the zone."

Four games into the season and Casas is being sat in favor of Romy Gonzalez, yet Devers is still in the lineup? 

“Ref needs at-bats and Romy needs at-bats,” Cora said. “It’s the first week of the season, and we’re not gonna face a lefty probably — I don’t know until when. So I saw a spot today that they should play today."

Casas ended up getting an at-bat in the ninth and grounded out to Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle on seven pitches. Gonzalez was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a strikeout in his first start of the season. 

RUNNERS IN SCORING POSITION STRANDED

On Sunday, the Red Sox were 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base. In the four-game series, they were 6-for-41 in potential run-scoring situations.

“I thought we did a lot of good things, but we just didn’t pick guys up when we were on the bases, and it starts with me,” third baseman Alex Bregman, who went 4-for-17 in the Texas series.

“Obviously, I had a lot of chances this series. Guys did a good job getting on base in front of me, and I got to be better and come through in those spots, and I will be,” he said.

The Red Sox had baserunners, but had issues driving them home.

“That trend is going to change,” Cora said of squandering opportunities to score. “We will hit; we know that. It’s one of those; we’ve just got to slow it down.

“We’ve just got to make sure we don’t chase. If you stay in the zone and make contact, we’re going to be in a good place.”

Boston had their chances on Monday, but were unable to execute with runners in scoring position, going 3 for 14 on the day, and the club has now lost four straight to fall to 1-4 on the season. Overall the Red Sox are now 9-for-55 (.163) with runners in scoring position on the season.

“It’s challenging but we have a good team and it hasn’t happened yet,” Cora told reporters following the game. “I continue to say as long as we don’t expand and we keep putting good swings in the strike zone we’re going to be OK.”

“As long as we keep getting men in scoring position at one point we’re going to have fun and we’re going to score runs,” he added later, “and this week is going to be in the past.”

PAPELBON WEIGHS IN, LITERALLY

NESN analyst Jonathan Papelbon had questions as to whether Devers showed up to camp out of shape resulting in his historic struggles this weekend. 

“Maybe he’s out of shape? … Maybe we got to trim a little bit of fat? You know what happens when you trim fat?” Papelbon asked fellow analyst Jim Rice. “Pigs squeal.”

Jim Rice noted that Devers' lack of production at the plate has more to do with his lack of spring training versus being out of shape. 

“You know what happens when you trim fat? Pigs squeal,” Papelbon said. “That’s what you’re looking for, your pigs to squeal and hit home runs.”

The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy has questioned Devers weight this spring, citing the media guide lists him at 245 pounds, which is 10 pounds heavier than he was last year. 

Papelbon said that Devers’ shoulders could be a factor in his offensive struggles and commented on him not getting his front foot down on time, possibly resulting in being late on fastballs. 

“Is it the shoulder? Is he in shape?” Papelbon said. “We don’t know these things. But, to me, it looks like the swing is just a little bit behind.”

Again, Devers believes his struggles will go away over time, noting that he’s had stretches where he didn’t hit the fastball over his career. 

“That’s been happening since I got called up,” Devers said. “I’m the same hitter that I was back then. I know who I am. I know that I haven't done my job, and I haven't done what I'm supposed to do.”

He began the 2021 season going 0-for-13 and recording four strikeouts. However, he eventually settled in and hit .293 with a .587 slugging percentage during the month of April.

“I feel comfortable,” he said “It’s just a matter of time … I know I have’t been able to hit the ball in the zone quite yet, but that’s something that’s going to come.”

WILYER ABREU AND KRISTIAN CAMPBELL BRIGHT SPOTS

Wilyer Abreu, one of the few Red Sox players, wishes he could stay in Texas after his incredible start to the season.

Abreu recorded seven hits, including two home runs, two doubles, six RBIs, five walks, and no strikeouts, during the inaugural series. He was the hero in the Sox’ 5-2 win on Opening Day, going 3-for-3 — including two homers — leading Boston’s offense. The right fielder of the Red Sox began the third inning with a single and subsequently hit a game-tying 415-foot solo blast off the Rangers' ace, Nathan Eovaldi, in the fifth inning.

In the ninth, following a Trevor Story walk and Kristian Campbell’s first big league hit that ricocheted off the glove of third baseman Josh Jung into left field, Abreu obliterated a slider from Luke Jackson and launched it into the Rangers’ bullpen. The homer broke a 2-2 tie and was the eventual game-winner.

It was the second occasion in his career that Abreu hit two home runs at Globe Life Field. The first time came last season, when his grandmother passed away.

Abreu sat on the bench to begin the game on Monday afternoon allowing Rob Refsynder to get into the game against the Orioles left-handed starter. 

Campbell was just as good, recording six hits (6-for-14) with three extra-base hits and three runs scored in Texas. He hit his first major league home run to left-center field in the fourth inning on Saturday night, thereby tying the game. The rookie crushed a 93 mph fastball that was left over the heart of the plate, sending it 431 feet and 112.2 mph off the bat.

With an impressive performance over the weekend, it appears he’s nearing another milestone—securing a long-term deal with the Red Sox.

The Red Sox are in deep talks on a contract extension, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. He would add that “one source close to the negotiations described a deal as close.”

Terms are not known on the potential deal, but Campbell acknowledged the ongoing extension talks following the Sox’ 4-3 loss to the Rangers on Saturday night.

“They’re talking back and forth,” he said after his memorable 2-for-3 performance at Globe Life Field. “I know that for a fact. I’m not sure how close or not close it is, but we’ve had some communications on that for sure.

“I leave that to my agents and let them talk back and forth and work out what is gonna be done. We’ll listen, for sure.”

Campbell isn’t set to hit free agency until after the 2030 season; any extension with the team would give the Sox control over him past that date.

Campbell went 0-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored in the loss to the Orioles. He had a good at-bat in the third inning with runners in scoring position fell behind 0-2, laying off a changeup in the dirt. The next pitch he hit an RBI grounder to second base, bringing the Sox within a run, 4-3.

RICHARD FITTS BATTLED IN DEBUT

Richard Fitts earned a spot in the Red Sox rotation out of camp, largely in part to Brayan Bello (right shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) landing on the injured list to begin the season.

He allowed two solo homers; other than that, he looked sharp in the outing. Fitts managed to escape a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the second inning, allowing the Rangers to score only one run. The righty settled into his outing, retiring 12 in a row.

Cora had confidence in the young hurler, letting him pitch into the sixth inning. With the Sox leading 2-1, it was time for the Rangers to respond. Four pitches into the outing, Wyatt Langford launched a solo shot into the right field seats, instantly tying the game. Two batters later Adolis García took Fitts deep, erasing the Sox’ lead.

“He was really good,” said Cora. “Two homers, obviously. That happened in the sixth. But overall, he gave us a chance to win. He has been doing that for a while. He has been throwing excellent. Like I said before the game, he earned a spot. Today was a good one.”

Fitts finished the 2024 season making four starts for the Red Sox, recording a 1.74 ERA over 20 2/3 innings. He followed that up with an impressive spring, posting a 2.45 ERA in 14 2/3 innings.

“I felt pretty good out there,” said Fitts. “Started out a little slow for me, but I started feeling comfortable out there and just tried to get outs. Made a couple of mistakes but I’ll learn from them and get better.”

CROCHET'S DEBUT

Expectations were high for Garrett Crochet ahead of his debut on Opening Day. The southpaw, who appeared dominant in the spring, performed just ok in the season opener.

Crochet struggled with his command and looked shaky early on in the game, resulting in him laboring by throwing many pitches before settling in. The left-handed pitcher initiated the game by walking two of the first five batters he encountered. He required 47 pitches to secure the first six outs of the game before the Rangers took a 1-0 lead.

“I dug myself a hole with the pitch count early,” Crochet said. “Later in the game, I just started trusting the defense and trusting everybody other than myself.

"The first two innings really taxed my pitch count, so I’m going to walk away from today priding myself on the fact I was able to be a lot more efficient there later in the outing," he said.

Crochet called his outing a “grinder,” citing struggles with execution.

The lefty’s fastball averaged 96.4 mph, topping out at 97.5 mph, according to Baseball Savant, and he drew 14 swing-and-misses, nine of them coming on his cutter, according to Baseball Savant. He threw 88 pitches in total, 61 for strikes.

“He was good, a lot of cutters, velo was ok, I think he found his fastball halfway through the outing,” Cora said. “Of course he wanted to keep going, but we’re in the business of taking care of him.”

The lefty will make his second start of the year on Wednesday when the Sox continue their series needing him to keep the Baltimore offense at bay and end their current losing streak. 

BULLPEN HAS BEEN BRIGHT SPOT

During the four-game series, the Red Sox bullpen provided a pleasant surprise.

Boston’s pitchers are working to build up their stamina as the season begins, with Fitts making the longest start, lasting six frames. Crochet went five innings; Tanner Houck lasted 5 2/3 innings, with Walker Buehler lasting just 4 2/3 innings.

The Sox’ relievers combined to throw 12 scoreless innings over the weekend, allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out seven batters.

Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten, and Justin Wilson each appeared in two games this weekend, with Garrett Whitlock looking sharp in a two-inning outing on Opening Day.

Cora anticipates using Whitlock in a bulk-inning role, tossing two innings as needed, similar to how he was used in 2021.

Zack Kelly allowed a double and then retired six straight over two innings. Aroldis Chapman, the closer, faced the heart of the Rangers lineup in the eighth inning, and Slaten secured the ninth, securing the save.

Liam Hendriks is still behind; he was placed on the injured list. He did receive a cortisone shot last week and threw again on Sunday. The reliever said he’s feeling better following the shot and thinks he will be back once his IL stint comes to an end.

The Orioles put four runs on the board off relievers Slaten and Cooper Criswell in the eighth inning on Monday afternoon. 

THIS IS FOR THE BIRDS, SOX DROP FOURTH STRAIGHT

Devers continues to experience difficulties at the plate; he walked twice and struck out three times. In his at-bats where he worked the walks, he looked better, but it wasn't enough to help the Sox' offense. 

In the first inning, Devers saw nine pitches from Povich, fouling off four of them before working the walk. In Devers’ final at-bat, he worked another walk, watching Orioles closer Felix Bautista throw three straight balls to open the at-bat.

Sandwiched between the first inning and ninth inning walks, Devers struck out another three times. He’s now whiffed 15 times, looking lost for a fifth game. Tuesday’s day off comes at a favorable time for the reeling Sox’ hitter. Devers may experience an unpleasant home opener on Friday afternoon if he is unable to generate competitive at-bats during the final two games in Baltimore.

NEWCOMB BATTLED

Red Sox starter Sean Newcomb was a feel-good story coming into Monday afternoon’s outing. The Massachusetts native grew up a Sox fan, signed with the club as a non-roster invitee, and had an excellent spring, allowing two runs, one earned in 14 1/3 innings (0.63 ERA) in his Grapefruit League outings.

The Orioles promptly reminded Newcomb that the spring was over, and they scored four runs on five hits off of him in the first inning. All five hits came off his cutter, according to Baseball Savant. The southpaw gave up four runs on eight hits over four innings.

Newcomb’s time in the starting rotation is likely going to be short-lived. The Sox have reinforcements on the way; Brayan Bello will begin his rehab stint and make two starts, the first one coming on Tuesday night in the series opener. He will also pitch on Sunday afternoon in the series finale from VyStar Ballpark.

“Bello threw the ball really well yesterday,” Cora said. “He’ll start in Jacksonville on Tuesday. He’s got Tuesday and Sunday.”

Bello started the season on the injured list due to a right-shoulder strain.

RED SOX NOTABLES

Jarren Duran finished with 14 triples last season, tying Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll for the Major League lead. The speedy outfielder collected his first triple when he crushed an 81.1 mph sweeper from Povich into left center field, scoring two runs and cutting the O’s lead in half, 4-2.

Trevor Story hasn’t looked promising at the plate. With a bloop single and three strikeouts, he went 1-for-4. In 15 at-bats, he has struck out six times.

“You see the way I’ve been attacked. It’s a trend, for sure,” Story said. “I’m ready to hit up there. … It’s a fine balance. Naturally, I’m an aggressive hitter. I like to be ready to go from the first pitch. But with that, you still have to be selective.”

Bregman was 1-for-5 on Monday with a strikeout. In the eighth inning, he attempted to make a crucial play in the field, diving for a ball, slamming his face off the dirt, and cutting his nose. With blood dripping down, the Gold Glover made a wild throw to second base that went into right field, allowing two runners into scoring position. Baltimore went on to add four runs in the frame to take an 8-3 advantage.

The Red Sox have scored only 16 runs in their first five games of the year.