News and notes from around Red Sox Nation.
Trevor Story is mired in one of the worst slumps in Red Sox history, as one of just six Red Sox players ever to post an OPS below .360 over at least 90 plate appearances in a span 31 days. (Yes, that is one convoluted stat. Feel free to just say he’s been bad.) But Story is remaining positive and says he “feels like [he’s] getting towards” being back on the right track. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
What about Kristian Campbell’s slump? The rookie’s groundball rate has skyrocketed over the past month and he’s getting beat on the edges of the strike zone. But Campbell says the rib cage injury he suffered earlier in the season plays no role in his struggles and that, like Story, he feels “really, really close.” (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Of course, it isn’t just slumping bats that have afflicted the Red Sox during this recent swoon. The team has also made several fundamental mistakes in the field and on the base paths, something that’s plagued every Red Sox team in recent years. In light of this, many are wondering whether the coaching staff is the problem, but Alex Cora doesn’t sound worried about his job. (Tom Carroll, WEEI)
Cora was also asked about Roman Anthony. And while he didn’t give any kind of indication as to when baseball’s number one prospect might make his debut, he acknowledged that Anthony is “not knocking at the door, he’s knocking it down.” (Lauren Campbell, MassLive)
Anthony may or may not fix the Red Sox on the field, but he sure would deliver a jolt of excitement. That’s self-evidently a good thing, because, to some people, this season feels joyless. (Jon Couture, Boston.com)
But there’s some joy in Nick Burdi’s house today. The reliever, who has been lights out for the Woo Sox, is back with the big club for this weekend’s series against the Atlanta Braves. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)