The Boston Red Sox will start Roman Anthony in left field and bat him leadoff Friday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park.
Manager Chad Tracy made the decision after giving the young outfielder Thursday night off during a 1-0 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.
Anthony did not enter that game as a pinch hitter. It was his first rest since he came off the injured list in late August.
Boston has already locked up a playoff berth and will close the regular season with Friday’s two games and one more Saturday against the Cubs.
Left-hander Alec Gamboa is scheduled to start the afternoon game.
The Red Sox posted this Game 1 batting order: R. Anthony LF, M. Gasper C, A. Rutschman DH, W. Abreu RF, C. Durbin 3B, N. Sogard 2B, J. Duran CF, A. Monasterio 1B, I. Kiner-Falefa SS, A. Gamboa SP.
Anthony, 22, has played in just 52 games this season after a wrist and hand injury in early May kept him out for most of the year. He is hitting .235 with 48 hits, five home runs and 15 RBIs in 204 at-bats. He has drawn 27 walks, scored 21 runs and stolen two bases. His on-base percentage is .328 and his slugging percentage is .373 for a .701 OPS.
The former top prospect hit .292 with eight home runs and 32 RBIs in 71 games as a rookie in 2025.
Boston takes an 85-74 record into Friday and sits three games ahead of the Chicago White Sox for the second American League Wild Card position. One win in either game of the doubleheader or a White Sox loss would clinch the No. 5 seed and a Wild Card series against the New York Yankees.
The lowest the Red Sox can finish is the third Wild Card spot. That would pair them with the third-place division winner in the first round.
Anthony has four of his five home runs and 10 of his 15 RBIs this month. He has started 20 games in September.
The Cubs enter the series at 88-71 after clinching their own National League Wild Card berth.
Tracy has used Anthony primarily in left field since his return, with occasional time in right. The club has three games remaining to get its postseason roster and batting order settled before the wild-card round begins Tuesday.
