Alex Cora Doesn’t Commit To Lineup Spot For Slumping Red Sox Star originally appeared on NESN.
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The Boston Red Sox have gotten off to a poor start this season, entering play on Monday with MLB’s worst record at 2-7. They’ve struggled in all phases of the game, especially at the plate.
There were concerns about the Red Sox’s lineup having enough firepower coming into the season, and so far, those concerns have proven correct. Boston is batting just .226/.297/.372 while ranking 26th in runs per game.
Many Red Sox hitters are off to slow starts, particularly at the top of the lineup. Roman Anthony has slumped in the leadoff spot while Trevor Story has scuffled in the two hole, slashing just .119/.119/.214 with one home run, one run, two RBI, no walks and 17 strikeouts.
After watching Story go 1-for-5 with two strikeouts in Sunday’s 8-6 loss to the San Diego Padres, Alex Cora was asked during his postgame press conference if he still likes the two-time All-Star batting second.
When asked about Trevor Story continuing to bat second, Alex Cora said he still likes him as a player. pic.twitter.com/r4VZUtTJIb
— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) April 5, 2026
Cora declined to commit to Story staying there, saying, “I still like Trevor Story as a player.”
In Story’s defense, moving up to the two-hole has been a big change for him. He spent most of last year in the middle of the lineup before moving up to second in mid-September. He performed well there to end the season, but he has not had the same results thus far in 2026.
With Boston’s lineup in need of a jolt, time will tell if Cora drops Story in the batting order soon or gives him a day off to reset. An off day seemed to help Anthony, who’s been hitting better since he was benched last Wednesday.
Wherever Story hits, the Red Sox need to start getting more production from their starting shortstop.
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