Not to digress too much, but for what it’s worth, it’ll give you a moment of truth on Alex Cora’s long-standing pattern. Back in 2018, Rafael Devers, then a young left-handed bat, started just 23 games against the lefties for the World Series winners. On the other hand, his platoon partner, Eduardo Nuñez, started 36 games. He didn’t hesitate to pinch-hit for Devers. It turned out to be a move that ended up helping the Red Sox win the World Series. Apparently, Cora’s been using the same strategy with Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer.
During Anthony’s MLB debut for the Red Sox against the Tampa Bay Rays, he was pulled in the 11th inning when the Rays’ left-hander Ian Seymour was on the mound.
Now, something similar unfolded with Marcelo Mayer. He was slotted as the regular third baseman on May 24. However, he was seated on the sidelines for four out of the last six games. Again, it was a stretch full of left-handed starters.
Based on what Alex Cora said today, you can expect Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer to start most games on the bench against left-handed starters for the time being (via @ChrisCotillo).
The Yankees are expected to throw three lefties at the Sox this weekend. pic.twitter.com/Q2Krb326EU
— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) June 10, 2025
Now, from what Alex Cora said, we might see Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer start most games on the bench against left-handed starters for the time being. Just because, according to him, the Yankees will be throwing three lefties towards the Red Sox in the coming weekend. So, it naturally threatens Mayer and Anthony’s roles, given that they’re new to the big leagues.
Currently, the Red Sox are sitting at 32-36. Naturally, each lineup decision will be calculated. Even when both Anthony and Mayer are capable of handling left-handed pitchers. During triple-A, Anthony hit .361 with a staggering .955 OPS. Coming to Mayer, he was at .255 with three homers.
But for Cora, until he feels Anthony and Mayer are fully ready to face big league lefties, their roles will remain situational.
Now, coming back particularly for Anthony, wondering how it’s been going for him in the big leagues?
Roman Anthony in his first two starts for the Red Sox
On Monday night at Fenway Park, the Red Sox were handed a 10-8 loss by the Tampa Bay Rays. Anthony’s highly anticipated debut was witnessed by a packed crowd of 31,422. He took over the right field and batted fifth. He came to bat in the second inning with a runner on first and nobody out. Anthony popped up to left field, and as he returned to the dugout, the cheers were in unison.
But he was robbed of his very first big league hit during the fourth inning. Apparently, he lined a ball up in the middle at 111 mph that hit straight to Rays’ pitcher Shane Baz. Then, Anthony struck out without swinging during the sixth inning. All while there were runners on second and first. In the next inning, he got a walk.
Next, during the ninth inning, he hit a hard bouncer up the middle for an RBI groundout. In the 11th inning, Alex Cora made a decision. He pinch-hit for him against Ian Seymour.
Well, Anthony wasn’t quiet about the loss, though. “It’s tough when you lose a game like that; you feel like that’s the reason we lost—little things like that. Just got to learn from it and be better.”
Speaking of Tuesday, the Red Sox’s outfielder hit a two-run double in the second game against the Rays. It marked his first career base hit. He came up with runners on second and third as he drove the ball to the left. It was just the third inning, and he gave the Red Sox a much-needed 2-0 lead.
As it seems, he finally found his stride. And the Red Sox made a strong comeback for the previous night’s loss as they secured a 3-1 win against the Rays.
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