While it'd be unfair to suggest that the Boston Red Sox are "limping" into the postseason, they definitely aren't playing their best ball right now. A 12-12 record in September isn't going to fill many people with confidence, especially since the offense is struggling and features a number of key hitters (e.g., Willson Contreras and Ceddanne Rafaela) operating at less than 100%.
So, even with the onus on the pitching staff to pic up the slack, at least one or two unherladed contributors are going to have to step up in order for the Red Sox to make a deep run in the playoffs. Given his $25 million salary, would it be fair to lump Trevor Story in with that group?
After an impressive comeback season a year ago, wherein he produced 25 homers, 31 steals, and 4.1 bWAR, Story's story took another depressing turn at the beginning of this year. He hit a paltry .206/.244/.303 (48 wRC+) with a 32.4% strikeout rate through mid-May, ultimately hitting the injured list following a sports hernia surgery that knocked him out for more than three months. It looked like the beginning of the end for the veteran shortstop.
But, as he's been wont to do throughout his career, he proved the doubters wrong upon finally returning. Now, he's a key piece of the Red Sox's offensive formula heading into a Wild Card Round clash against the Yankees.
Trevor Story can help carry Red Sox in postseason if he mitigates his fatal flaw
Since returning to Boston's lineup on Aug. 30, Story is responsible for a .764 OPS and 108 wRC+. According to FanGraphs, he ranks tied for second on the team in fWAR in that span (0.5), contributing positive value at the plate, in the field, and on the basepaths.
It's also easy to forget that Story was one of the team's best players in the Wild Card Round a season ago, posting a 1.000 OPS in 13 plate appearances over those three games in New York. He's actually been a great postseason hitter throughout his career with 12 hits in 35 trips to the plate.
However, that history of October success, along with his recent return to form with the Red Sox, comes with a humongous caveat: Story is allergic to walking. He's never taken a walk in the postseason, just as he failed to earn even a single one in his first 13 games back from injury. In total, he struck out 29 times and worked just four free passes (one of which was intentional) down the stretch this year.
His free-swinging habits are going to take on an outsized role of importance this week with Contreras and Rafaela staving off injuries. That may sound disconcerting, but Story has proven over the past month that he still has what it takes to shoulder a huge burden at the plate. The Red Sox just need to hope that magic doesn't run out in New York.
Add us as a preferred source on Google