“Rather than jumping on the wave and screaming the Red Sox should trade Devers, which they absolutely shouldn't, it's time to look at potential first basemen they could acquire. The best option on the market is Baltimore Orioles star Ryan Mountcastle...

Giolito delivered, pitching 6⅔ strong innings as the Red Sox beat the Royals, 3-1, before a crowd of 25,785 at Kauffman Stadium.

Rafael Devers has repeatedly — and oftentimes quite colorfully, by the way — declined comment when approached at his locker in the visitors clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium. His bat, though, is doing the talking.