After beginning the season 1-5 on their season-opening six-game road trip, the Boston Red Sox returned to Fenway Park for their home opener on Friday against the San Diego Padres. After losing five straight following their season-opening win over the Cincinnati Reds, Boston was swept by the Houston Astros.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora and his team were hoping that a little home cooking was what they needed. There were several reasons you could point to for the early-season struggles. Pitching, hitting, and defense were the top three. Take your pick.
There were some offseason additions made by Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow that have struggled through their first games. One of them, Caleb Durbin, finally broke through amid a lot of struggles at the plate in Boston’s 5-2 win over San Diego. After the game, Cora was quick to defend his new third baseman.
Boston Red Sox Manager Drops Subtle Comment on Caleb Durbin
It’s no secret that Durbin was struggling to begin the season. In his first 15 at-bats this season against the Reds and Astros, he went 0-for-15 with six strikeouts. He wasn’t alone in the struggles. Rising star Roman Anthony was struggling as well. However, a pinch-hit, solo home run on Wednesday in Houston is what Cora hopes will get him going.
As for Durbin, he was pressing at the plate. That all changed in the fourth inning on Friday. Jarren Duran doubled to open the inning. Back-to-back strikeouts from Michael King had Duran still in scoring position. Durbin delivered his first hit as a Red Sox with an RBI single for a 2-0 lead. Talk about having the weight of the world lifted off your shoulders.
“I’m glad that he got the hit. I think everybody was able to breathe, including me, but the kid, he played great at third base, put a good swing there after the weird double play in the first one. So he’s gonna be OK. He’s a good ball player. I think people here are going to love him,” said Cora.
It was just one game, but sometimes that’s all a hitter needs to get going, and Boston hopes that’s the case with Durbin.
Red Sox Need Caleb Durbin to Produce
When Alex Bregman signed with the Chicago Cubs in free agency, that left a glaring need at third base and in the lineup for the Red Sox. Instead of pivoting to a third baseman in free agency or a trade, Brewslow signed Philadelphia Phillies left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez.
As for Bregman’s replacement, Boston had Marcelo Mayer on the roster, who could fill the spot. However, right before spring training began in February, Breslow traded for Durbin from the Milwaukee Brewers. He won the job out of spring training, but the early returns were not good.
Struggling in Boston is a lot different than struggling in Milwaukee. You are going to be under a bigger microscope. Durbin’s RBI single off King was a relief, and Cora sounds like someone who is trusting Durbin. It’s just one game, but certainly something to build off of.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Boston Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Drops Subtle Comment Defending Struggling Infielder appeared first on Heavy Sports.