Overview

• Boston has dropped five straight games to fall to a 27-31 record, leaving the team 9½ games behind the division leader.
• Roman Anthony is slashing .318/.450/.528 with a .978 OPS and leading Triple-A in barrels through 49 games with Worcester.
• Alex Cora declared that Anthony isn’t just knocking on the major-league door but “knocking it down” with his powerful bat.
• Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow says Anthony still needs defensive reps in left field and plate-work refinement before promotion.
• The front office is exploring lineup moves—such as shifting Ceddanne Rafaela to a utility role—to guarantee Anthony everyday at-bats if he joins Boston.