The 2022 Boston Red Sox may not be as good as the 2021 edition: they are certainly more inconsistent.
Yet, they can’t be ruled out in the race for the postseason, even if they are currently last in the AL East division with a 57-59 record.
The biggest reason why the Red Sox can’t be counted out of the race is because they have one of baseball’s biggest stars in Rafael Devers.
He may not be flashy or too talkative, but Devers can hit with the best of them.
If it wasn’t for Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani, and the recent injury Devers sustained, he would be a top candidate to win his first American League MVP award.
Not only he is a supremely talented offensive player, but he is also extremely consistent.
There’s only one Raffy. pic.twitter.com/89PSFxbjLZ
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 15, 2022
If you want extra-base hits, there might not be a player in the majors more likely to hit it than Devers.
An Extra-Base Hit Machine
Not only he is a doubles machine, but he also has home run power.
In 2019, he hit a whopping 54 doubles and 32 home runs, and he had 37 and 38 of each last year.
This year, he has hit 31 two-baggers and 25 round-trippers, and is well on his way to reach 30 again.
This season, he is slashing .305/.361/.577 with a .938 OPS.
He is trying to single-handedly lead the Red Sox to the postseason once again, after he virtually did the same last year.
The Red Sox made it all the way to the American League Championship Series last season, in large part because they had an incredible offense.
That offense was led by Devers.
Will he be able to take the Sox on his back and deliver another postseason berth?
It’s looking unlikely, but with a man of his talent, anything is possible.
