Overview
- Boston, following Thursday's sweep by the Yankees at Fenway, fell to 9-16 with only three runs and 13 hits across the series and now sits last in the AL East.
- The offense ranks near the bottom of MLB with 14 home runs tied for fewest, a .331 slugging percentage that is worst in the league, and an 83 OPS+ that signals one of the club’s weakest months this century.
- Manager Alex Cora criticized the lack of scoring and, per Ken Rosenthal’s reporting, is unlikely to be fired early in the season despite growing frustration around the team’s slide.
- Outfielder Roman Anthony is day-to-day with upper-back tightness that surfaced Tuesday, missed two straight games, and prompted more lineup shuffles with Jarren Duran leading off and Ceddanne Rafaela batting second.
- Top prospect Payton Tolle struck out 11 in his season debut before the bullpen lost the lead, reinforcing concerns about roster construction and raising questions that could put baseball chief Craig Breslow under pressure if the skid continues.