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  4. title => "Alex Cora on Rafael Devers: 'He's doing everything right'"
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  6. article_body => "<p>The Red Sox have averaged 8.8 runs in the past five games (and, thanks to their shaky bullpen, won only two of those games).&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>What's behind this offensive surge? Rafael Devers batting second is a good place to start.<\/p>\n<p>In six games as the No. 2 hitter, including the past five, Devers is hitting .545 (18-for-33) with an OPS of 1.545.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/red-sox\/nathan-eovaldi-red-sox-closer-panic-move-heres-some-many-ways-it-can-go-wrong?int\" target=\"_blank\">JOHN TOMASE: Eovaldi as closer a total panic move by the Red Sox<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That torrid stretch was on full display Tuesday night in Toronto when Devers went 4-for-5 with two homers and six RBI to lead the Red Sox to a 10-6 victory.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Devers (now hitting .329 with 14 homers, 56 RBI and a .926 OPS) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/red-sox\/mlb-all-star-game-2019-snubs-did-xander-bogaerts-get-robbed-0?b\" target=\"_blank\">may not have been selected for the All-Star Game<\/a> but his manager says he's \"one of the best third basemen in the big leagues.\" And it's hard to argue with him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s consistent at what he\u2019s doing,\u201d Alex Cora told reporters in Toronto after the game Tuesday night. \u201cHe\u2019s dominating the strike zone, he\u2019s playing good defense, he\u2019s a good baserunner, he\u2019s a complete player. And he\u2019s only 22. We\u2019re glad we were patient with him. We know that there\u2019s going to be times that he\u2019s going to be 22, but overall he\u2019s one of the best third basemen in the big leagues, and he\u2019s showing that on a nightly basis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Devers' knowledge of the strike zone has improved drastically, Cora said, even in the past month or so.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe walks were up and the strikeouts were down. And when you start doing that, great things are going to happen. There was a period there he was leading the league in hitting [in May] and he got caught up in the average and he was swinging at everything, chasing hits, he\u2019s not doing that anymore. \u2026 He\u2019s doing everything right, right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/boston\/red-sox\/rafael-devers-being-used-wrong-red-sox-they-can-get-it-right-leaving-him-spot-order?b\" target=\"_blank\">After flip-flopping between Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi<\/a> hitting first and second, it's safe to say, the Red Sox have found their No. 2 hitter.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><a data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb76e2c06579?site_id%3DDig_RSN_Bos%26creative_id%3Dnbcsbos1075%26cp_4%3Dwww.nbcsports.com%26cp_1%3Dwashington%26cp_2%3Dmyteams-nbc-sports%26cp_3%3Dnbcsbos1075&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1562196617279000&amp;usg=AFQjCNG74IhU79bkD8ZQ53wUyji2avek2Q\" href=\"https:\/\/smart.link\/5bb76e2c06579?site_id=Dig_RSN_Bos&amp;creative_id=nbcsbos1075&amp;cp_4=www.nbcsports.com&amp;cp_1=washington&amp;cp_2=myteams-nbc-sports&amp;cp_3=nbcsbos1075\" target=\"_blank\">Click here<\/a>&nbsp;to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.<\/em><\/p>\n"
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Red Sox

Red Sox

The Red Sox have averaged 8.8 runs in the past five games (and, thanks to their shaky bullpen, won only two of those games). 

What's behind this offensive surge? Rafael Devers batting second is a good place to start.

In six games as the No. 2 hitter, including the past five, Devers is hitting .545 (18-for-33) with an OPS of 1.545.

That torrid stretch was on full display Tuesday night in Toronto when Devers went 4-for-5 with two homers and six RBI to lead the Red Sox to a 10-6 victory. 

Devers (now hitting .329 with 14 homers, 56 RBI and a .926 OPS) may not have been selected for the All-Star Game but his manager says he's "one of the best third basemen in the big leagues." And it's hard to argue with him.

“He’s consistent at what he’s doing,” Alex Cora told reporters in Toronto after the game Tuesday night. “He’s dominating the strike zone, he’s playing good defense, he’s a good baserunner, he’s a complete player. And he’s only 22. We’re glad we were patient with him. We know that there’s going to be times that he’s going to be 22, but overall he’s one of the best third basemen in the big leagues, and he’s showing that on a nightly basis. 

Devers' knowledge of the strike zone has improved drastically, Cora said, even in the past month or so. 

 

“The walks were up and the strikeouts were down. And when you start doing that, great things are going to happen. There was a period there he was leading the league in hitting [in May] and he got caught up in the average and he was swinging at everything, chasing hits, he’s not doing that anymore. … He’s doing everything right, right now.”

After flip-flopping between Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi hitting first and second, it's safe to say, the Red Sox have found their No. 2 hitter. 

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