If you had to pick the perfect spot in the batting order for Rafael Devers a case could be made that it is in the No. 2 hole.
That's where he remains for a second straight game Tuesday night at Tropicana Field.
With righty Charlie Morton on the mound for the hosts, the Red Sox' third baseman enters the series opener against the Rays slotted in behind leadoff hitter Andrew Benintendi.
It marks the second time this season Devers hits in the No. 2 spot, having hit third for all but one of his nine starts. He went 2-for-5 with a homer in the series finale at Yankee Stadium Sunday night. Last season Devers spent the majority of his time hitting second, finishing his 71 games in the spot hitting .334 with a 1.032 OPS.
With the right-hander on the mound for Tampa Bay Ron Roenicke also is going with three lefty hitters in his outfield - Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Alex Verdugo. Bradley Jr., who has gone hitless since last Tuesday, has had his troubles with Morton, going 1-for-16.
Xander Bogaerts, who is coming off a 4-for-4 game against the Yankees that also included two home runs, has had the most success against the veteran hurler, notching 10 hits in 26 at-bats (1 homer) against Morton.