The Boston Red Sox are absolutely on fire, roaring back into the playoff race and now sitting right there with the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays atop the American League. A deep postseason run wouldn’t be a huge surprise for this squad. But with Roman Anthony finally gearing up to return to the lineup after a wrist injury, a massive question mark looms that could shape their entire season. MLB.com’s Ian Browne laid it out plainly: “What kind of impact will Roman Anthony make?”
Anthony’s Numbers Tell Two Wildly Different Stories
Let’s be real, Anthony’s first stint in the big leagues this season wasn’t pretty. Before that wrist injury knocked him out for most of the year, he was hitting a shaky .229 with just one home run, five RBIs, and a .675 OPS. Browne didn’t sugarcoat it, saying Anthony “wasn’t a good player” then. The team has managed to get by without him, and honestly, they’d probably be okay even if he comes back playing at that same level. His impact would be “negligible at-best,” and that’s not exactly inspiring.
But then there’s the other Roman Anthony. The one who smashed a massive home run during his rehab assignment. And, more importantly, the guy who lit it up in 2025 during his rookie season, posting an eye-popping .859 OPS in 71 games. That’s “All-Star level” stuff, a completely different beast.
One Player’s Return Could Make or Break the Entire Season
This isn’t just about adding another bat to the lineup. Browne highlights that slotting Anthony into the leadoff spot could be huge for a team that’s struggled to get consistent production there. Think about it: if he comes back playing like that .859 OPS guy from last year, the Red Sox instantly go from “simple postseason contenders” to “very legitimate World Series contenders.” They’d have a seriously good chance to go on a deep run this year.
This is the kind of stuff that keeps you on the edge of your seat, isn’t it? The difference between Anthony playing at a .675 OPS versus an .859 OPS is the difference between a team that’s “okay” and a team fighting for a ring. His return, and how he performs once he’s back, truly could make or break the Red Sox in their pursuit of a World Series appearance. Every at-bat is going to feel like it carries the weight of the whole season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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