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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 06: Roman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox sits in the dugout after an 8-6 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers at Fenway Park on April 06, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)

On Friday evening, the Boston Red Sox will open up a series with the St. Louis Cardinals in Missouri.

The Red Sox are coming off a 5-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Fenway Park.

Roman Anthony Decision Before Cardinals Game

GettyRoman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox at bat against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Fenway Park on April 8, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.

For Friday’s game, the Red Sox have made the decision to give Roman Anthony the day off.

Chris Cotillo of MassLive wrote: “Roman Anthony gets the night off.

Duran LF, Durbin 3B, Yoshida DH, Contreras 1B, Abreu RF, Story SS, Mayer 2B, Narváez C, Rafaela CF”

GettyRoman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on April 01, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Anthony is currently batting .217 with one home run, two RBI’s, five runs and one stolen base in his first 12 games of the 2026 season.

He is in his second year playing for the Red Sox.

GettyRoman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after striking out during the game against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park on March 30, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Anthony was picked in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft.

He finished his rookie year batting .292 with eight home runs, 32 RBI’s, 48 runs and four stolen bases in 71 games.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote (on August 6, 2025): “BREAKING: Outfielder Roman Anthony and the Boston Red Sox are finalizing an eight-year, $130 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The deal, which is pending a physical, includes a club option and will keep Anthony under team control through 2034.”

GettyRoman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox looks on against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 18, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Red Sox Right Now

The Red Sox have been among the most talked about teams in the MLB since the 2026 season began.

They have struggled, going just 4-8 in 12 games, which has them at the bottom of the American League East.

Following their series with the Cardinals, the Red Sox will visit the Minnesota Twins on April 13.

The Red Sox wrote (via X) before the game: “The #RedSox reinstated INF Anthony Seigler from the 10-Day Injured List and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester following Worcester’s game last night against Columbus.”

GettyRoman Anthony #19 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on August 09, 2025 in San Diego, California.

The Red Sox finished last season with an 89-73 record, which had them as the third-place team in the American League East.

They lost to the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card.

Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.  He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar