The Red Sox face one of their toughest challenges of the season, losing Triston Casas to a devastating knee injury. The once-promising slugger, now sidelined for the entire season after rupturing his patella tendon. A glaring hole in Boston’s lineup and defensive strategy. With a team already struggling to maintain consistency, the question now looms: How will the Red Sox adapt without their star first baseman?

Enter Rafael Devers, the Red Sox’s powerhouse third baseman, whose name is already being tossed around as a potential answer to the team’s offensive woes. While he lost this staple 3B to Alex Bregman, it is speculated that this time he will be back at the plate. Nonetheless, it goes without saying that the Red Sox are racing against time to do the best for the team.

“We asked him to do something in spring training. In the beginning, he didn’t agree with it. Now, he’s very comfortable doing what he’s doing. Like I told you guys in spring training, he’s my DH,” shared Alex Cora.

The speculations for Devers to take Casas’ place got further amplified by the Red Sox CBO, Craig Breslow. He was open to checking all the potential options to replace Casas, including repositioning Devers. But, it might not see the daylight. Because Alex Cora is against it. “From my end right now, no,” said Cora.

After the early struggles, Devers seems to be getting comfortable as a DH. Check his two-run single against the Twins on Friday night. It helped the Red Sox win by 6-1. So, Cora might not risk changing Devers’ position and make him struggle again. Well, but who will then replace Casas?

Romy Gonzalez!

Gonzalez was initially brought in as Casas’ backup at first base. However, this time, he could be assigned a bigger role. However, considering his limited exposure, will Gonzalez be able to fill the significant void left by the powerful bat and solid glove of Casas? “It’s an opportunity for him to go out there and perform. I don’t want him to feel like this is it, that this is his chance to shine. Just do your part. Don’t try to be somebody you’re not,” Cora assured.

It is reported that Gonzalez’s defense does all the talking over his offense. His impressive stats of hitting .319 with 15 hits, 5 RBIs, and 9 runs, along with an OBP of .373 and an OPS of .820, prove that. Hence, it is expected that Cora will focus more on the strengths of Gonzalez.

Now that the Red Sox might be proceeding with Gonzalez, let’s see what awaits the team in the next few games.

The Red Sox are on a rollercoaster ride with their offense 

While the Red Sox are comfortably placed second in the AL East, just behind the Yankees with an 18-17 record, their offense is still a concern. Well, there are a few teams who just can’t hit, and there are teams who are steamrolling. The Red Sox are sitting somewhere in between.

The OPS between the innings for the Red Sox is a difference between hell and heaven. Imagine a team with a .908 OPS in the first 3 innings and then a .637 OPS at the last. Sounds ridiculous, right? This is the Red Sox this year.

Well, that doesn’t mean nothing is going right for the team. When you’ve got names like Alex Bregman at the hot corner, there will be bright spots. Bregman is making his woods do some talking this year, amassing 8 HRs and 27 RBIs.

Then there’s a new name on the horizon, as well. Kristian Campbell. The young guy is making some noise this season with a .407 OBS! Ahh, a ray of hope for the future here.

Currently, the Red Sox are the sixth-ranked team in the league in terms of BA (.254). Yes, a team with such names should be at a much higher rank, but it is what it is. However, the fans can expect a slump from here on out due to the absence of Casas. The man in the middle was someone you would depend on to keep the scoreboard running. Now, it is all on to Gonzalez. While Cases finished his 2025 season with 3 HRs and 11 RBIs, it’s time for Gonzalez to make the best out of this opportunity.

So, if you are now concerned about the Red Sox’s hitting squad, you are not alone. Because Gonzalez is no Casas, and there is no harm for him to ask for more time at the base. For now, let’s hope for the best…