Playing nine innings while suddenly understanding why the Red Sox hired Alex Cora rather than Gabe Kapler …
1. One area where Xander Bogaerts has been remarkably consistent since becoming a big-league regular in 2014 is his doubles production. From 2014 to 2017, the Red Sox’ 25-year-old shortstop has hit between 28 and 35 two-baggers each year, including 32 last year when he played through a hand injury suffered in July. Through four games this year, Bogaerts already has five doubles, which leads the majors. I have a hunch that he won’t continue on a pace to hit 202 doubles over 162 games, but I do think this rapid start is indicative of his return to health and the big year that is ahead of him.