Red Sox need to keep Rafael Devers in their lineup
By Cody Rivera
21-year-old Rafael Devers made it crystal clear in Game 2 that he should be playing third base for the Red Sox in the postseason, not Eduardo Nunez.
As they were heading into the postseason, the Boston Red Sox had some questions regarding the hot corner. It was unclear who would get most of the playing at third base: veteran Eduardo Nunez or 21-year-old Rafael Devers.
For the Division Series against the New York Yankees, manager Alex Cora went mostly with the much older and more experienced Nunez. But after two games against the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series, it has become abundantly clear that Boston needs to keep Devers in the lineup — not just because his upside is so much higher, but because Nunez has made a couple of blunders that may have cost the Red Sox a win in Game 1.
Houston won Game 1 by a score of 7-2. The final score is a little bit deceiving, because if it hadn’t been for Nunez coming up short at third base on more than one occasion, the Astros might not have even cracked the scoreboard until the eighth inning. George Springer singled in two runs down the left field line in the second inning — two runs that could’ve been avoided had Nunez not slipped while stretching for the ball and made the play.
The Astros scored again in the sixth inning after Nunez failed to turn the most routine double play in the history of baseball.
Even if Nunez hadn’t made those mistakes, the Astros still probably would’ve won the game. But this is October, and you aren’t going to beat the defending champions if your starting third baseman can’t make routine plays. It’s as simple as that.
Now, Devers isn’t exactly a Gold Glove third baseman himself. He’s a 21-year-old kid playing his first full season in the Majors, and a lot of times this season, he has definitely looked the part. But after Nunez’ rough night in Game 1, Cora gave Devers the start in Game 2, and it looked like the Red Sox got a major upgrade at third base.
The kid fielded just about every ball that was hit in his direction, including an impressive play in the sixth inning where he had to lunge to his right, backhand the ball and throw the runner out at first. Had Nunez been in the game, he probably wouldn’t have even gotten his glove on that ball.
In addition, Devers gives the Red Sox much more at the plate than Nunez does. In Game 2, Devers went 2-for-3, drove in a run, and scored two runs himself. When Nunez got the start in Game 1, he went 0-for-3 with a walk.
This should be an easy decision for Cora. Devers is far from a perfect baseball player, but he’s only 21 years old, he has incredible potential, and he’s getting the job done right now.
Nunez, on the other hand, is doing nothing but helping the team lose. There is no reason why we should see any more of him during this series. Third base should belong to the kid.