Rafael Devers'.500 career hitter versus the Mariners' George Kirby; Tyler O'Neill back in the lineup
The Red Sox earned their first win of the new season on Opening Day, defeating the Mariners 6-4. One of the bats that helped pace the Red Sox offense was third baseman Rafael Devers.
The Dominican Republic native went 2-for-5 with one homer, two RBI, and a 1.600 OPS in the game. His homer came in the top of the third inning off Mariners ace Luis Castillo. Devers smashed a sinker over the left field wall, giving the Red Sox a 2-0 lead.
Red Sox skipper Alex Cora called Devers’ homer “impressive” in his comments to the media following the game. It was Devers second career Opening Day homer, his first came in 2022.
“That homer was impressive,” Cora said following the win. “He enjoys playing here too. It’s where he started. His first big-league game was here. It seems like he hits the ball out of the ballpark here through the big part of the field.”
Devers will get the start and bat in the No. 2 hole versus Mariners starter George Kirby.
In his career against Kirby, Devers is 5-for-10 with one homer, one walk, and one walk with a 1.445 OPS. Left-handed hitters own a career.246 batting average and.672 OPS against Kirby.
Trevor Story has seen success in five at-bats against Kirby, owning two hits and two homers against the righty.
Red Sox lineup for Game 2 of the season:
1. Jarren Duran LF
2. Rafael Devers 3B
3. Trevor Story SS
4. Triston Casas 1B
5. Tyler O’Neill RF
6. Masataka Yoshida DH
7. Ceddanne Rafaela CF
8. Enmanuel Valdez 2B
9. Reese McGuire C
Tyler O’Neill returns to the lineup after crushing his first Red Sox homer of the season (1-for-3) and his fifth consecutive Opening Day homer; setting a Major League record in the process. O’Neill collected his first stolen base of the year, becoming the first Red Sox outfielder to do that on Opening Day since Mike Greenwell (1989), Bernie Carbo (1977), Carl Yastrzemski (1973), and Tony Conigliaro (1965).
Starting pitchers: RHP Nick Pivetta vs. RHP George Kirby
Red Sox vs. Mariners
Start time: 9:40 p.m. EST
TV channel: NESN (Channel finder: Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV, Dish, AT&T U verse, fuboTV and Sling)
Live stream: NESN 360; fuboTV; or Sling; or DirecTV Stream
Radio: WEEI 93.7 FM
