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BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 17: Manager Alex Cora #13 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout during the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park on September 17, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
After starting the season 2-7 with the worst record in MLB<\/a>, there had to be changes coming for the Boston Red Sox<\/a>. There needed to be lineup changes or a roster shakeup for a team that many believe is underachieving.<\/p>\n After losing seven of their last eight games, which included a three-game sweep by the Houston Astros<\/a> last week in Texas, manager Alex Cora is making some lineup adjustments. Early Monday afternoon, Cora released his lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers<\/a>, and there were some eye-opening changes.<\/p>\n Boston Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Makes Lineup Changes Against Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n Boston\u2019s offense is struggling for consistency, and some big names are struggling. The Red Sox are going to face veteran Brandon Woodruff with a new-looking lineup.<\/p>\n According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive<\/a>, Trevor Story, who has been struggling, is being moved to the fifth spot, and Masataka Yoshida is sliding up to the second spot behind Roman Anthony. Willson Contreras is going to hit third, and Wilyer Abreu will bat fourth.<\/p>\n Story\u2019s struggles have been pointed out. The veteran shortstop has four hits in 24 at-bats this season with 10 strikeouts. He went 1-for-13 with four strikeouts against the San Diego Padres<\/a> over the weekend. Boston dropped two out of three in the series. However, despite his struggles, Cora stood by him after Sunday\u2019s loss.<\/p>\n \u201cI still like Trevor Story as a player,\u201d Cora said<\/a>, after Story snapped a 0-for-16 stretch at the plate dating back to the Astros series with a hit on Sunday. The hit was an infield single.<\/p>\n Story has had an injury history during his career, and especially during his time in Boston. It makes you wonder if he\u2019s playing through something or if he\u2019s just really struggling.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the swing is in a good place,\u201d Cora said, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive<\/a>. \u201cHe keeps saying that. And you watch video and yes, it\u2019s same timing mechanism, hands placement. The body looks the same. It\u2019s just, \u2018What are we swinging (at)?\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n Changes Are Needed For a Frustrated Red Sox Team<\/p>\n It\u2019s safe to say that frustration is setting in for Boston just nine games into the season. That\u2019s never a good thing, especially for a team and fanbase that are not used to this type of start.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, one player who has been their best hitter has been Abreu. He is slashing .429\/.444\/.857 with three home runs and seven RBIs. He had 15 hits, four doubles, and a triple. Abreu is 15-for-35, and he had three hits in Sunday\u2019s loss. It makes sense that Cora is moving him to the cleanup spot against the Brewers.<\/p>\n Roman Anthony<\/a> expressed his frustration after Sunday\u2019s loss to San Diego<\/a>, but just nine games into a season is too early to push the panic button. Shifting around the lineup is something that Cora was expected to do, and it isn\u2019t surprising that he\u2019s doing it against a good pitcher in Woodruff. Then, on Tuesday night, Boston will face youngster Jacob Misiorowski<\/a>. It doesn\u2019t get easier.<\/p>\n Cora is hoping that shifting things around wakes up his offense. However, it was a move that needed to be made, but if it doesn\u2019t work out, things could get dicey in Boston.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tScott Roche<\/a> Scott Roche covers college football, NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com and has three decades of sports writing, covering everything from college to professional sports. More about Scott Roche<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Red Sox\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t