BOSTON — Veteran shortstop Trevor Story was in Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s office Friday reviewing the schedule for Saturday.
“He was wearing a cut-off shirt,” Cora said. “And when he left, I told them, ‘He looks stronger.'”
Cora has seen more arm strength from 32-year-old Story as the season has progressed. He also has seen him play better defensively on balls hit to his left.
Story has started all but six of the Red Sox’ 105 games at shortstop so far this season. He has played in 42 straight games. Saturday against the Dodgers will be his 43rd straight start.
That’s after playing in just 69 games in 2023 and ‘24 combined because of elbow and shoulder surgeries.
“I think the more he plays, the routine is getting better,” Cora said. “Playing catch every day helps. And he’s one more day away from injuries. He’s found the rhythm. Early on he was a little bit off with throws, but now he’s very accurate.”
Story has provided stability up the middle. Six different players have made starts at second base. Only two players (Story and David Hamilton) have made starts at shortstop.
“A lot of second basemen, one shortstop,” Cora said. “Coming into the season … we talk about how many games I envision him playing. I said like 150.”
Story is on pace for 156 games, exceeding expectations.
“He kept playing and playing and playing and just the consistency since Milwaukee offensively (has been there),” Cora said.
Story has batted .286 with a .322 on-base percentage, .492 slugging percentage, .814 OPS, nine homers, 12 doubles and 39 RBIs in 50 games since the Red Sox began a three-game series in Milwaukee on May 26.
He’s tied for 10th in the American League in RBIs (60).
“I think defensively he’s been solid the whole season. Obviously great the last month,” Cora said. “But having that guy there has helped those kids at second base.”
Cora was asked about what Story specifically has done better to reach that “great” level defensively the past month.
“We made adjustments as far as like positioning. He’s getting to more balls to his left,” Cora said. “And he’s making that play to the right — that’s easy for him. But early on, because of our positioning, there were a lot of ground balls that were getting by in that kind of like triangle between the player and the bag.”
Cora credited Dave Miller of baseball analytics department and infield coordinator José Flores for making effective adjustments to the infield alignment.
“Actually (starting pitcher) Walker (Buehler) brought it up and we’re playing more straight up and he (Story) is making more plays,” Cora said.
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