Roman Anthony is officially back on the field today against the Yankees, and that’s huge news after his rehab stint where he crushed it with a .280 average, 2 homers, 2 doubles, and 4 walks in just 8 games. He’s exactly what the lineup needs, especially with working counts and getting on base being a real struggle for the Sox lately. But here’s the kicker, the front office decided to just yoke Trevor Story right to him for the activation. Seriously? Story, who’s been hitting a dismal .171 and looking totally lost with his swing decisions, is also coming back.
The Return of Anthony and a Head-Scratching Move
Willson Contreras summed it up perfectly, saying, “I think it’s really important for us to get those guys back. We need them.” But he also made sure to recognize the grind the rest of the lineup has put in for the last three months, calling the decisions on who goes down “tough.” No kidding, especially when one of the guys coming back feels like a total gamble. Anthony, at least, should bring some much needed pop and plate discipline. Right now, it’s rough. Sox leadoff hitters, not counting pinch hitters, are a pathetic 2 for 18 with no runs scored over their last five games. That’s a huge hole in the offense that Anthony absolutely has to fill.
Pitching Woes and a Heated Rivalry
Offense wasn’t the problem last night against the Yankees, though. That loss in the double-header finale was all on the pitching staff. Brayan Bello had his worst relief appearance of the season by far, telling reporters, “Bad. I think I didn’t give the team the opportunity to win the game tonight.” Losing that one made the season series against the Yankees an even 6-6. Today’s game, then, is a massive tie-breaker if these two end up with the same record by the time the season wraps. As Chad Tracy put it, “Well, you want to win that [tiebreaker]. Come out [Sunday] and put your best foot forward and try to push hard to win that game, obviously.”
So, what happens today? This entire series honestly feels like just a warmup for what could be an inevitable October clash. Can Anthony ignite this offense and get guys on base? Or will Story’s struggles continue to drag down the lineup? Today’s game against the Yankees is more than just a regular season matchup, it’s about winning that potential tie-breaker and setting the tone for what’s ahead.
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.
Leave a Reply