The stakes for this weekend’s clash between the Red Sox and the Giants just got a little higher thanks to Rafael Devers. The man who belted a homer for Boston against the Yankees a few days ago is ready to do the same against Boston this time! In the orange and black of San Francisco.

As he prepares to face Boston for the first time since the split, all eyes will be on the diamond and Devers. Expect it to be a showdown laced with history, emotion, and no shortage of drama. And just when things seemed to be cooling off, the slugger ignited the fire with some pointed words aimed at his former club. You could call it a message or perhaps a warning.

According to a post by Boston Strong, Rafael Devers “wants to sweep the Red Sox this weekend.”

Boston fans, you’ve got to take this seriously. The player with 15 HRs this season and a .272 BA got enough fuel to make things happen. And if the last 10 games between the Giants and Red Sox are any indicator, it surely reflects an even competition. The last 10 games stand with a 5-5 record between the two teams. So, sweeping the Red Sox would make it 8-5 for the Giants from the last 13 games.

The last time the San Francisco Giants swept the Red Sox in a regular season series was in 1915, when the Giants were still based in New York.

Evidently, Devers has wished for something that has not been done in the last 100 years. But he might have a few things to settle with Boston. Still, Devers has confirmed no animosity between him and the Red Sox.

As reported by NESN, Devers shared a heartfelt message to the Red Sox front office and the fans for supporting and elevating him since 2016. “I just want to thank the Boston Red Sox organization for signing me at 16 years old and giving me the opportunity to become a big leaguer… I want to thank the Boston fans. They supported me throughout my whole time there.”

Well, it can be an official template that players follow on leaving a franchise. This particular message had the emotions coming from a teenage boy to a superstar.

Now, setting everything aside, the Red Sox-Giants series would be worth checking out. While in Boston, Devers was reluctant to move from 3B and later from DH. This time, we would see if he gets the hot corner. But considering Matt Chapman is spitting fire at 3B for the Giants (although sidelined for now), things might not be easy for Devers. But if we go by his statements, Raffy is finally ready to adapt.

And for the Red Sox, it’s a new era after moving on from their cornerstone.

Nothing better than the Red Sox’s talent supply chain

In an industry-rattling trade that shipped their best hitter into another league, the Red Sox seemed to signal a franchise at the crossroads. With Rafael Devers now gone, Boston appeared to be bracing for a rebuilding phase. Possibly a fourth straight season without playoff baseball. Or maybe not.

Despite the shockwaves of the Devers deal, the Red Sox quietly assembled a roster with a few promising names. They could still make noise in the American League. And they probably have their replacement for Rafael Devers. Enter Nate Eaton! He is reportedly heading to the big leagues and will join the club on Monday.

Eaton, 28, is making just his second appearance with the club this season after a brief stint from May 31 to June 2. Since last year, Eaton has been grinding it out in Triple-A Worcester, where he’s shown enough to earn a call to replace Rafael Devers! This year, he is hitting .274 and has 7 HRs. So, he might just be a good fit.

But this move might be a stopgap. The Red Sox might be waiting for reinforcements from the injured list. Remember Masataka Yoshida? The high-profile import from Japan was supposed to be a major part of this year’s offensive engine. Once he is back from IL, things are expected to be better for the team.

But that’s a story for another day, probably. Till then, let’s see if Devers can come heavy on Boston this weekend.