Yankees’ Gerrit Cole tries to avoid throwing to Red Sox’ Rafael Devers, but still can’t get him out

Rafael Devers continues to haunt Gerrit Cole.

The New York Yankees ace has struggled to get the Boston Red Sox third baseman out the past four seasons. Entering Saturday’s game, Devers was hitting .333 with a .974 OPS and nine home runs against the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner.

Cole didn’t give Devers much to hit in their first two matchups. In Devers’ first plate appearance, he was hit by a cutter that went too far in. That probably wasn’t what Cole intended.

However, in the fourth inning, the right-hander completely evaded Devers, choosing to intentionally walk him with the bases empty. Cole apparently did not want to risk giving away a 1-0 lead by pitching to his nemesis. Still, Devers eventually scored on a double by Masataka Yoshida. Cole then gave up two more runs on a single by Wilyer Abreu.

The third time Cole faced Devers on Saturday, he had no choice but to throw to the Boston slugger in the fifth inning with the bases loaded. Cole threw what looked like a good pitch, a curveball low and away. But Devers drove the ball to center field for a two-run single and a 5-1 Red Sox lead.

That lifted Devers’ batting average against Cole to .350 (14-for-40) with 19 RBI. Perhaps Cole can take solace in the fact that he’s not serving up his 10th homer to a hitter who has dominated their matchup.

If there was any doubt that Cole sees Devers in his nightmares, it was certainly dispelled by how quickly the Yankees pitcher answered a question posed to him by a reporter on Wednesday. Ahead of Hispanic Heritage Media Day, Cole was asked which Hispanic hitter gave him the most trouble. Cole didn’t hesitate and answered, “Rafael Devers.”

A funny moment, perhaps, for a pitcher as accomplished as Cole to acknowledge that a batter has the upper hand against him. But it also indicated how formidable Devers has been against Cole. The right-handed Yankees pitcher confirmed that — and underscored the idea — by intentionally walking Devers with no runners on base in Saturday’s game.