Pinch-hitting for Roman Anthony in the sixth inning of Game One of the American League Wild Card Series against the Yankees? That’s the nightmare scenario Red Sox fans are staring down right now. It wasn’t just *anyone* coming in either. It was Andruw Monasterio, the absolute last man on the bench, a guy who’s only managed 2 hits in his last 32 at-bats. Seriously, most fans probably wanted Braiden Ward, who’s never even seen an MLB game, on the roster instead. This is bad.
That Stubborn Hand Flared Up Again
The team hasn’t dropped any official word on Anthony’s injury status, but come on, do we really need them to? His entire young career, talented as he is, has been this brutal cycle: flashes of brilliance at the plate, then that gut-wrenching inability to stay on the field. Remember that bizarrely stubborn hand injury that dogged him for most of the season? He only just got back, putting up an OPS just under .800 over the last few weeks. But even then, he looked like he was battling it hard in Game 162. His last swing on Sunday was a check swing, and he immediately flexed his hand. Yikes.
Series Outlook Is Bleak
Fast forward to tonight against Cam Schlittler. Anthony’s first two plate appearances? Both ended in awkward check-swing strikeouts. You could just see him favoring that hand. It’s tough to watch a guy who brings so much heat struggle like that, especially when the stakes are this high in the Wild Card. Right now, it’s looking grim. He may not even get another shot in this series.
This could be it for Roman Anthony in the Wild Card Series. With the Yankees already bringing the heat, losing a bat like Anthony, even a dinged-up one, is a brutal blow. Every single plate appearance from here on out is gonna feel massive for Boston. You gotta wonder how they bounce back from this.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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