NEW YORK -- “It’s all coming up Cora” was an oft-used phrase in 2018 as the Boston Red Sox set a franchise record with 108 regular-season wins, then mowed down the Yankees, Astros and Dodgers to capture a World Series title. It seemed especially true in October, when all of first-year manager Alex Cora’s moves -- from leaving infielder Brock Holt on the bench a day after he hit for the cycle in the American League Division Series to going with David Price as the starter over Chris Sale in a decisive Game 5 of the Fall Classic -- worked like a charm.

Along the way, Cora received effusive praise from his charges for his communication, the energy he brought to the team and the trust he cultivated in the clubhouse.

Following what was arguably the greatest season in the history of a storied franchise, the Red Sox have rejoined the ranks of mortals. Last year on May 31, they were 21 games above .500 with a 39-18 record. But after starting the season 3-8, Boston entered Friday’s play at third place in the American League East at 29-27. Red Sox starting pitchers in particular struggled in the early going and the bullpen has at times seemed shallow without closer Craig Kimbrel, who left as a free agent and remains unsigned.

More concerning for the Red Sox than the wins and losses might be the fact that they find themselves 7 1/2 games behind a first-place Yankees team that has proved dominant even with many of its key cogs -- Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino, Didi Gregorius, Dellin Betances and Miguel Andujar, among others -- sidelined due to injuries.

In the midst of an uneven season, Red Sox players nonetheless describe Cora as a steadying force, even if his Midas touch seems to have faded.

As reliever Matt Barnes puts it, Cora has “stayed true to exactly who he was.”

“It’d be easy to change and try and press and do things drastically different though we had success doing them last year, but he hasn’t,” says Barnes. “He’s got his principles and what he expects of us.”

Veteran starter Price also points out that Cora “has stayed the same.”

“Us as players definitely respect that,” says Price. “Managing is not easy, especially in Boston. He hasn’t changed one bit from last year to this year. The difference is where we started and how our season has gone so far. For him to stay the same AC, that’s awesome.”

Price believes Cora’s approach is partly what allowed the team crawl out of the hole it found itself in after the season’s first 11 games.

“When managers feel that pressure and start making unnecessary moves or just feeling panic in the dugout or in the clubhouse, I think that can definitely kind of filter its way to the players,” Price says. “For AC to stay even keel through all of this, I think that’s kind of helped us get back on track.”

Starter Eduardo Rodriguez echoed the sentiment: “Win or lose, he’s the same person and that’s something we want in a manager, to always be positive, always supporting us," the left-hander said in Spanish. "Last year, we didn’t have problems. We won and won and won and then won the World Series. [This year] we’ve had ups and downs and he’s stayed the same.”

Talk to Red Sox players about Cora’s strengths as manager and one word pops up over and over again: Communication.

“I think the reason we were so successful last year was because of what he brought to our team -- the energy he brought, the communication and everything like that,” says Holt. “ I feel like he hasn’t been any different this year, which is what you want out of a manager. You don’t want things to change based on performance.”

Asked about the challenges of managing a team on shaky footing as opposed to one that’s cruising, Cora begins by dismissing that 2018 was the cakewalk it may have appeared to be from the outside.

“A lot of people think that last year was easy and it wasn’t,” Cora said in Spanish. “Just because you won 108 games doesn’t mean you came in and put your feet up on the desk while the guys played. It’s a lot of work every day. It’s something you have to take seriously, make decisions, see where guys are and do the things you think can help the team win.”

Cora says he’s made it a point to stay detached from any narratives, good and bad.

“As far as my role is concerned, balance, always, is what’s most important,” Cora said. “Just like we did last year, when we didn’t listen to what went on outside the clubhouse, when they said we were a great team and the best team in the big leagues. We don’t pay attention. That’s what we’re doing this year. A lot of people think the team isn’t that good, that we don’t have a chance. You have to block that out and stay with your principles.”

Cora adds, “This year, what I’ve think I’ve learned more than anything is patience.”

He'll need it, because the reality is that a team isn’t going to pile up 119 wins every season.

“[Adversity] is part of baseball,” said Price. “It wasn’t necessarily part of our season last year. That was part of why our season last year was so special. What we did last year won’t ever happen again.”