Overview
- Boston kept Anthony in the leadoff spot for the Fenway Park home opener, a move that bets on his elite contact quality shown by top‑tier exit velocity and hard‑hit rates reported by Statcast.
- The outfielder started the season cold after a three‑hit Opening Day, going 1-for-18 over the next four games and sitting around five hits in roughly two dozen at-bats with elevated strikeouts.
- He delivered a pinch‑hit home run in Houston, providing a late positive sign during a five‑game team skid to open 1–5.
- Manager Alex Cora praised Anthony’s calm approach and said his steady makeup helps him ride out slumps during a 162‑game season.
- Analysts including Ken Rosenthal and ex‑Sox star Xander Bogaerts cautioned that Boston is asking too much after losing Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman, with expectations amplified by Anthony’s eight‑year, $130 million deal and his strong 2025 debut.