Two Key Red Sox Hitters Will Face Massive Pressure Upon Returning

The Boston Red Sox are in desperate need of professional hitters in a new-look lineup.

Boston traded away franchise star Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in a shocking move earlier this month that ruled headlines around baseball. Among the several consequences of the deal marked a significantly weaker lineup for the Red Sox.

Devers easily slugged as the most talented bat in a youthful lineup that needed proven productions. Between the trade and other injuries, the Red Sox are now without the No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 hitters from their Opening Day lineup.

Alex Bregman and Triston Casas remain out with injuries, though the former will return this season for Boston, right after the All-Star break. Bregman put together an outstanding start to the season in his best offensive run since the 2019 season.

The Devers trade also opened up the designated hitter spot for the Red Sox. That finally opens a spot for Masataka Yoshida, who still has not played this season from setbacks following offseason shoulder injuries.

Those are two really good hitters that can only help Boston. The offense struggled heavily on the West Coast trip after the trade and relies heavily on young players who are still trying to figure it out at the MLB level. The lineup looks a lot better with Bregman and Yoshida in a growing-desperate stretch to hop back into the playoff race.

Here’s a potential lineup for when the Red Sox get healthy:

1. Jarren Duran, LF
2. Abraham Toro, 1B
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
4. Carlos Narvaez, C
5. Masataka Yoshida, DH
6. Trevor Story, SS
7. Wilyer Abreu/Roman Anthony RF
8. Marcelo Mayer, 2B
9. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF

The Red Sox, who have posted a top-10 OPS in baseball for seven consecutive seasons, need a major step forward from the offense collectively in July. Bregman and Yoshida can make a difference, but are those returns going to be enough to rescue Boston?