As the Boston Red Sox embark on a new season, early slumps can be expected. However, the situation for star third baseman Rafael Devers has raised eyebrows due to the severity of his early-season struggles at the plate.

In the current series against the Texas Rangers, Devers has yet to secure a hit, astonishingly striking out 10 times, which unfortunately set a new MLB record for the most strikeouts within the first three games of a season. This has garnered concern from fans and analysts alike, particularly given Devers’s status as one of the Red Sox's premier offensive players.

Devers's struggles appear to stem from difficulty with timing and swing mechanics, particularly when executing against fastballs. Fortunately, he isn’t alone in addressing these challenges. Manager Alex Cora, along with the coaching staff, are stepping in to provide much-needed support and advice.

Prior to Sunday’s finale, Cora discussed his observations with the media, highlighting the importance of understanding and correcting bad habits that Devers may have developed over the years. "Little by little, you start finding stuff that he’s doing now that are just bad habits or mentality about the approach," Cora noted. "We just had a good conversation about it."

Cora is not focusing solely on Devers’s mechanics. He also emphasized how a player’s mental approach can affect their performance. Cora mentioned that Devers has always been adjusting his hand positioning during his career, but he sees a particular issue with Devers's stance that might be impacting his timing. "If you’re not grounded, you’re not going to be on time," Cora explained, drawing attention to the need for stability in Devers’s stance to improve his ability to connect with pitches.

With a reputation for being a tough but fair coach, Cora’s approach reflects his past experiences as a player. "As a manager, one of the things I learned from Tito (Francona) is you don’t know everything," he remarked, acknowledging the challenges he faced as a hitter himself. This humility sets the stage for a trusting relationship as Cora offers guidance to Devers without overwhelming him with criticism.

Interestingly, this season marks a shift for Devers, who has transitioned from third base to a full-time designated hitter role. Despite the pressure and the temptation to give him a mental break, Cora has opted for the opposite, keeping Devers in the lineup at the No. 2 spot, trusting that he will work through these issues and soon find his rhythm.

As the Red Sox strive to improve their performance, fans will be watching closely to see how Devers adapts and overcomes these early hurdles. Will he rise to the occasion and leave this slump behind, or will his challenges linger as the season progresses? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Red Sox are determined to support their young star as he navigates through this difficult start.