Red Sox News: Alex Cora believes in Trevor Story’s ability in clutch spots

Trevor Story gaining confidence down in the Red Sox batting order

Boston Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story came up to the plate last night in the 9th inning with the bases loaded and delivered for his team with a 2-run single. Those were much needed insurance runs in a 9-4 win against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.

Story finished the game 2-for-5 with two singles, two RBIs, and one run scored.

Manager Alex Cora moved the 29-year-old down to the sixth spot in the order for Tuesday’s game. This was due to Story slumping over the past 15 games, hitting just .186/.279/.271 with a 22/7 K/BB ratio, 8 RBIs, and only 6 runs scored.

Cora’s plan to bat Story sixth was two-fold. He knew what would happen late in the game if he put his second baseman in that slot in the lineup.

"“At the end of the day, you know what’s going to happen, right?” Cora said before Tuesday’s game, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “It’s going to be bases loaded and he’s going to come up to the plate and we still believe in the player.”"

As Red Sox Nation knows, that is exactly what happened late in the game and the 2-time All-Star delivered for his team.

Last week, the media was talking about how Story didn’t stay and talk with reporters after his 0-for-4, four strikeout performance against the Los Angeles Angels. It came to light that he actually changed out of his cleats, threw on his turf sneakers, and went to work in the cage. Teammates J.D. Martinez and Alex Verdugo joined Story with hitting coach Pete Fatse to work on their swings.

"“At the end of the day, we expect more out of ourselves than anybody else does. I hold myself to a high standard. That standard wasn’t met. Obviously the fans feel the same way,” Story said after his poor start to the season, per The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier."

That is the type of ball player Red Sox Nation loves to root for. The type that grinds out tough stretches, works on his craft, and is a team player.

There has been much in the media about comparing Story to other high-profile free agents the Red Sox have signed in the past. Those players started off their Boston career in the same dreadful ways that fans have seen Story start to do. Could he go the same way as Carl Crawford or Rusney Castillo? Interestingly enough, Pablo Sandoval started off his career in Beantown on a hot note, but we all know how that fared in the long run.

If Story wants to shake this bad start off, he needs to build upon this game. His confidence will only grow if he keeps putting good swings together. His bat path is looking great, he is roping everything that is in the strike zone, and even his outs recently are getting more loud.

On another positive note, Story posts his worst career numbers every year in March, April, and May. This can only mean that good things will start to occur for him as the Red Sox get into the dog days of summer.

Cora needs to keep him down in the lineup so there isn’t too much pressure on him. The 2-time silver slugger will still come up in big spots just like he did last night. Once he keeps delivering in those situations for this Red Sox team, the rest will take care of itself.