Most of the baseball world recognizes that Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox has superstar potential, but it might be time for fans to consider the possibility that he’s already there.
The 24-year-old earned his first career All-Star selection in 2021, and he’s proving in the postseason that he loves big stages.
The Red Sox just advanced to the ALCS by eliminating the Tampa Bay Rays, but without Devers’ contributions, there’s no telling where Boston would be.
Devers is having a crazy postseason, and that’s becoming the norm for him.
The youngster is already establishing himself as an elite playoff performer.
Devers’ 2021 ALDS In A Nutshell
The Red Sox needed just four games in the ALDS to send the Rays packing, and Devers had a huge hand in that.
In the series, he slashed .333/.400/.667 with two home runs and six runs batted in.
Arguably his biggest hit of the series game in Game 4, which was the final night of the series.
He smacked a three-run blast in the third inning to break a scoreless tie.
It wound up being a one-run game, so his homer was extremely important.
Now that Boston is moving onto the ALCS, Devers will look to keep his bat hot.
If his playoff track record is any indication of what he’s going to do for the remainder of the postseason, then the Red Sox are in for a treat.
Devers Always Seems To Rise To The Occasion In The Playoffs
Devers has already played in three different postseasons.
He made his playoff debut in 2017, got another taste in 2018, and is back on the big stage again in 2021.
The one-time All-Star has already accomplished a lot in his postseason career.
Of course, he was a massive part of Boston’s run to the 2018 World Series title.
He batted .294 with a .734 OPS in those playoffs, including one crucial home run against the Houston Astros in the ALCS.
Overall, Devers is a career .308 hitter in the playoffs with a .925 OPS.
Over 20 postseason games, he has five home runs and 20 runs batted in.
There’s something about high-pressure spots that Devers seems to love.
For his MLB regular-season career, he has a .293 batting average and .880 OPS in high-leverage situations.
He constantly rises to the occasion when his team needs him the most.
Wrap-Up
Devers will hope to make his impact felt in the ALCS.
If he performs at the same level he did in the ALDS, the Red Sox will have a great chance at advancing to the World Series.
He already has one championship ring under his belt, but he’d love to get another.
Not many 24-year-olds can say that they’re a two-time World Series champ, but that possibility is on the table for Devers.
However, there is one thing that’s worth keeping an eye on.
The Red Sox will face either the Houston Astros or Chicago White Sox in the next round.
In the regular season, Devers struggled against both of those teams.
Will he put an end to that trend in the ALCS?
We’ll find out.
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