Boston Red Sox leadoff hitter Jarren Duran is struggling at the plate, as evidenced by his 1-for-4 performance in a 16-1 loss to the Rays. The 28-year-old is hitting just .230 with a .581 OPS and only four extra-base hits in 81 plate appearances this season. Duran, who led the majors in doubles last year, is on pace for just 36 extra-base hits this year.
Manager Alex Cora acknowledged Duran’s struggles, noting his inconsistency at the plate. While Duran is hitting the ball hard when he makes contact, his strikeout and whiff percentages are higher than last year. Cora emphasized the need for Duran to slow down and hit the ball to left-center field like he did on the first road trip.
The Red Sox offense as a whole has been lackluster, scoring just 78 runs in 18 games. In addition to Duran, hitters like Triston Casas, Rafael Devers, and Ceddanne Rafaela have struggled at the plate, with Rafaela having one of the worst chase percentages in the majors.
Cora highlighted the importance of slowing down and making more contact for the Red Sox hitters, including Rafaela. Despite the team’s offensive struggles, there is optimism that they can turn things around by making adjustments at the plate. The Red Sox will look to get back on track and start producing more runs as the season progresses.
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