Red Sox vs Giants Series Review
A Blog By Dean
Overall Takeaway
Boston’s starting pitching has been superb the last two weeks. Ironically, the Red Sox won the only game their starter was bad this series. Offensively, hustle roles from Rafaela and Hamilton sparked life in Game 1, but power outside those performances is still missing. The Devers drama has hung high over this series. I have still not fully decided my feelings on the trade. I do feel like the Red Sox and their people are really making it known that Devers was a problem. At the same time, there are a lot of reports coming out about Craig Breslow not being loved within the organization.
I just want too watch baseball.
Game 1: Red Sox 7 – Giants 5
Game 2: Giants 3 – Red Sox 2
Game 3: Giants 9 - Red Sox 5
What I Loved
Ceddanne Rafaela
He’s turning into a real spark plug at the top of the lineup. In Game 1 he went 3-for-4 with a go-ahead homer and game-tying single, but it wasn’t a one-off — he’s been on a heater all month. In 18 games in June, he’s slashing .286/.328/.524 with 5 home runs, 9 RBIs, and an .852 OPS. He’s striking out a lot (17 Ks), but the power has been there.
Brayan Bello
Delivered six innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts and one walk in Game 2—his fourth straight quality start in June (3.31 ERA, 51 K over 65.1 IP thanks to his breakout in June) .
Lucas Giolito
Three consecutive starts of six innings and 2 ER or less. He has finally put it together.
Bullpen
Bernardino, Whitlock, and Chapman combined for five scoreless relief innings in Game 1. Chapman sealed it with his 14th save, striking out Devers on a 101.8 mph heater—highlighting their recent dominance: 17.2 zero-run innings in the past five games……..
That last part was written prior to game three. The bullpen was only tagged with two earned runs even though they gave up five. So, I kept them in the loved section.
What I Was “Mid” About
Overall Offense
Outside of Game 1’s rally, Boston managed just two runs in Game 2 and left the bases loaded in the ninth. Sunday was a bit of a resurgence, 12 hits and five runs, but the offense has been “eh” during this streak of pitching dominance.
Alex Cora’s Tinkering
Too much bench rotation and matchup chasing. It limits rhythm for young hitters—if you’re not playing, you’re not growing. However, you can’t argue with Refsndyer and Romy Gonzalez’s numbers.
What I Didn’t Love
Devers’s Game‑2 Blast
His opposite-field two-run homer off Bello in the third—his 216th career HR—was the turning point in a 3‑2 Giants win and underscored the emotional drama.
Defense
Four more errors over the series. Red Sox continue to have one of the worst defenses in the league. Cost them on Sunday, and will continue to cost them throughout the season.
Starter Summary
Hunter Dobbins (Game 1): 4.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R (4 ER), 5 BB, 1 K
Brayan Bello (Game 2): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Lucas Giolito (Game 3): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 5 K