It’s no secret that Boston Red Sox designated hitter and former third baseman Rafael Devers is off to a slow start. Amid the offseason controversy over the addition of Alex Bregman to play the hot corner and Devers being forced into a DH role, the lifelong Red Sox has not seemed too pleased with his organization. Perhaps he’s angry at management’s decision to pry him from his defensive role, or he’s just in a slump, but Devers needs to turn it around sooner rather than later. Soon-to-be Hall of Famer and St. Louis Cardinals legend Albert Pujols recently took to MLB Network to talk about Devers’ early-season struggles:

“I think he was hurt about it,” Pujols added. “…Bregman is a great player that is going to make that team better.”

Pujols also cited that a lack of spring training at-bats (14 over five games) could have a detrimental effect on Devers. The 28-year-old is batting .111 with a .398 OPS and a 23 OPS+ through his first seven games and 27 at-bats. He also leads the American League with a mind-boggling 16 strikeouts. It’s not just that Devers hasn’t produced, but he looks lost at the plate. He’s swinging at junk that in any other season would look rudimentary to the slugger. Through Devers’ first 19 at-bats, he had zero hits and 15 strikeouts. Fortunately for the Red Sox, he can only go up from here.

However, this feels like more than an ordinary slump. Devers was notably stubborn to give up his defensive responsibilities, even though Bregman adds far more value on that side of the ball. Pujols is right. At the end of the day, this is a team sport, which means sacrificing for victories. Since winning the World Series in 2018, Devers’ first full season in Boston, the Red Sox have won just two postseason series (2021 Wild Card Game, 2021 AL Divisional Series). Devers is too talented a hitter not to snap out of this drought and when he eventually does, expect Boston to reset their sights on October success.

Red Sox celebrate Fenway opener with Devers busting out and Bregman feeling at home in Boston

BOSTON (AP) — Rafael Devers reached base four times in his return to Boston after a season-opening slump and Alex Bregman had two hits in his first home game at Fenway Park to help the Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals 13-9 on Friday.

Boston began its 125th home opener by scoring five runs in the first inning, including back-to-back homers by Trevor Story and Wilyer Abreu. The Cardinals cut it to 6-5 in the fifth, but the Red Sox pulled away again, with Devers’ RBI single capping a three-run seventh that made it 11-6.

Walker Buehler (1-1) allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings to help Boston earn its third straight victory.

Brendan Donovan, Alec Burleson and Iván Herrera had three hits apiece for the Cardinals, who have lost three of their last four. Erick Fedde (1-1) lasted three innings, allowing six runs on five hits and four walks while striking out one.

St. Louis scored three in the ninth on three hits and two errors before Aroldis Chapman came in with two on and one out. He walked the bases full before inducing a double play from Iván Herrera to earn his second save.

The Red Sox improved to 73-52 in home openers, including 64-50 at Fenway Park. Before the game, Boston honored its 1975 AL championship team, with a special tribute to pitcher Luis Tiant, who died in October.

Key moment

After leading 5-0, the Red Sox had just a 6-5 edge when Bregman, who was acquired as a free agent in the offseason, led off the fifth with a walk. He took third on Triston Casas’ double and scored on Abreu’s single.

Kristian Campbell followed with a high fly ball down the line that right fielder Jordan Walker caught amid the first row of the seats in foul territory; Casas tagged up and scored from third. The Cardinals argued that a fan prevented Walker from throwing the ball home, but a review reviewed that it was not interference.

Key stat

Devers opened the season hitless with 15 strikeouts in his first five games. Since then, he is 5 for 11 with one strikeout in three games.

Up next

Right-hander Andre Pallante (1-0) is scheduled to face Boston righty Richard Fitts (0-1). Rain is in the forecast.