The 2018 difference between the Yankees and Redsocks might be Rafael Devers

Yesterday, the Redsocks tortured Yankee relievers with a 6-0 whupping that, fortunately, holds no meaning beyond the swelling in Brandon Drury's hand. (More on that later.) But even within the existential meaningless of spring training, occasional isolated elements - such as lineups or the positioning of one's visor cap - project a grotesque, if not inhumanly surreal, consequence, which causes us, as naked fans, to stare wide-eyed into the open maw of Hell.

One such asteroid of fate may have blazed yesterday. Batting third for Boston was Rafael Devers, age 21, who is hitting .348 this meaningless spring. Last year, Devers came to the majors and hit .284 with 10 home runs - including one that still requires therapy sessions for Aroldis Chapman. Though Boston held concerns about Devers' glove at third base - the kind of worries that generally land Yankee prospects in Scranton - the Redsocks stood pat, and Devers is batting third. 

You know how NASA scientists all say that global warming is causing more catastrophic super-storms and hurricanes? I think the same thing is happening in baseball, in the form of catastrophic super-rookies. Last year, Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger put together half-seasons seemingly earmarked for Cooperstown. Part of it was them going once-around-the-league, and part was plain, instinctive talent. Look at the explosiveness of Yankee rookies over the last few years - Greg Bird and Gary Sanchez appeared superhuman in their first incarnations. It seems as if hitting is becoming a young man's game, while starting pitchers are skewing toward guile and experience. 

This is one reason why - not to be a broken record here - many Yankee fans show so much impatience for Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres. They thirst for another explosive young arrival. Now, I can't argue that either rookie should be in the Yankees starting lineup; the coaches know far more than we do, and they've ruled that both need seasoning. So be it. But Boston is going with Devers, and apparently, they'll bat him in the middle of their lineup, and two words come to mind.

Uh. Oh. 

Of course, last year they did the same with Andrew Benintendi, anointing him with the royal three-spot. It didn't work, though Benintendi could be improved  this season. But everything circles the arrival of Devers: If he can hit, all the talk about the Yankees being the dominant team in the AL East... it's nothing but YES-polished NY pre-season bullshit. If they add a .300 hitter with power to their lineup - a fucking 21-year-old - that's rocket fuel for a team that could catch fire.

Also, we should brace ourselves in the future just for hearing the name "Devers." The Yankees gave up Jose Devers, Rafael's younger brother, in the deal for Giancarlo Stanton. If he becomes a star in Miami, that word could haunt us for a generation. 

One final thought: Yesterday, Drury was plunked in the hand by a Boston beanball, and x-rays were supposedly negative. I say "supposedly" because the Yankees have no track record of truthfulness when it comes to injuries. We'll know the extent of Drury's injury by what Cashman does - or doesn't do - today. If Drury is out for weeks rather than days, watch for Cashman to hit the waiver wire for a stopgap third baseman. The Yankees are not Boston, when it comes too young third basemen.