Rafael Devers and Juan Soto will each confront their former adversaries as the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants kick off a three-game series on the road this Friday night. This encounter provides both players with a chance to reestablish their presence against teams they know well, aligning closely with the Rafael Devers Mets Giants series focus.
Although the Giants are new opponents for Devers, the first baseman has previously faced the Mets this season while still playing for the Boston Red Sox. During a three-game series in May, Devers recorded only two hits, including a solo home run off Mets pitcher Clay Holmes, a key matchup repeating in Friday’s opener.
Mets Pitcher Clay Holmes Holds Historical Edge Over Devers
During their prior meetings, Mets pitchers, especially Clay Holmes, have approached Devers cautiously, using four walks in 12 plate appearances in their latest series. Holmes, who holds an 8-5 record with a 3.48 ERA this year, has faced Devers nine times in his career, allowing only two hits but also walking him twice, one intentionally. Despite Holmes’s solid performance earlier in the season, he has struggled in July with an 0-1 record and a 5.66 ERA over four games.
The 32-year-old right-hander acknowledged recent challenges but expressed confidence about his development.
There has been a lot of growth,
Holmes insisted to reporters last week. I have got enough of a sample size now where you can really make some good assessments of what really I have been good at and what’s kind of been hindering me a little bit.
As long as I get ground balls and really not beating myself, I kind of like where I’m at and where things are going.
—Clay Holmes, Mets pitcher
Holmes’s experience against the Giants is limited but less successful, holding an 0-1 record with a 6.75 ERA and one save in nine appearances, only one of which was a start.
Giants’ Logan Webb Aims to Shake Off July Slump for Mets Matchup
Opposing Holmes will be Giants ace Logan Webb, who is similarly seeking improvement after a difficult July. Webb, with a 9-7 record and a 3.08 ERA, has been less effective recently, posting a 6.00 ERA and yielding 24 hits across 18 innings in July’s three starts.
Webb has consistently dominated the Mets throughout his career, maintaining a 3-1 record with a 2.13 ERA in six starts, striking out 35 batters over 38 innings. His previous performance against New York included eight shutout innings in a 5-1 home victory last April.
Webb also has a notable history confronting Juan Soto. He retired the veteran outfielder in 12 of their first 13 encounters, with only one walk in the mix. However, Soto rebounded recently with three hits and a sacrifice fly during their last four matchups, including June 2024 when Soto played for the New York Yankees.
Devers Riding Momentum After Recent Power Display
Rafael Devers enters the series on a positive trajectory, improving significantly after a slow start with the Giants. Initially, Devers struggled to find consistency, hitting .206 with 36 strikeouts over 27 games. In contrast, he has collected eight hits in his last four games, including two home runs in a 9-3 victory in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Devers credits his offensive resurgence in part to his return to first base, which keeps him more engaged in the game environment rather than isolated in the batting cage.
It keeps me active. It keeps my head out of just thinking about the next at-bat,
he explained to reporters in Atlanta.
I’m the kind of player that likes to be active, likes to be on the field. I’d rather be on the field than be in the cage hitting all the time and just thinking about the next at-bat.
—Rafael Devers, Giants first baseman
Soto Searching for Consistency as Mets Series Unfolds
Juan Soto began July with power, hitting four home runs in his first 13 games, but has struggled since, going 1-for-16 recently and seeing his batting average dip to .253. As Soto faces Webb again, he seeks to regain the form that once made him a formidable opponent to the Giants’ ace.
Upcoming Series Significance
This series carries meaningful storylines for both teams and players. Devers’s recent surge bolsters the Giants’ hopes to gain ground in the National League, while Soto’s efforts to recover from a slump could shift momentum in favor of the Mets. Meanwhile, pitchers Holmes and Webb each look to reverse recent struggles, setting the stage for compelling individual battles within the larger contest.
The outcomes from these matchups could strongly influence both teams’ trajectories over the summer, making this series a crucial test of resilience and skill for the players involved.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How many errors did Rafael Devers have?
A. By the close of the 2024 season, Devers had the most career errors (141) among current third basemen over eight seasons. His fielding percentage (.944) was the lowest among active third basemen who played at least 500 games.
Q. How many errors did Rafael Devers make?
A. By the close of the 2024 season, Devers held the most career errors among current third basemen, with 141 over eight seasons. He also had the lowest fielding percentage (.944) among active third basemen who had played at least 500 games.