On Aug 7, the Red Sox signed Roman Anthony to a huge extension but lost 7-3 to the Royals, snapping their win streak in Dustin May's rocky Boston debut.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a whiplash of a day at Fenway Park. The afternoon was filled with celebration as the Red Sox locked up their superstar outfielder of the future, Roman Anthony, to a massive extension. The future felt secure. But by night's end, the present delivered a harsh reality check, as the Kansas City Royals played spoiler, snapping Boston's seven-game winning streak with a decisive 7-3 victory.
Roman Anthony signs a contract extension with the Red Sox worth at least $130 million through 2033.
Let's start with the big news, the kind that defines a franchise for a decade. Hours before first pitch, the Red Sox announced they had signed Roman Anthony to a nine-figure deal, keeping the dynamic outfielder in Boston through at least 2033. It's a massive statement of intent from the front office, identifying and committing to their guy. While the ink on the contract might have been fresh, the magic didn't quite translate to the batter's box, as Anthony went 0-for-4. Still, a 394-foot flyout to the warning track was a tantalizing reminder of the power the Sox just invested in for the long haul.
With the buzz of the Anthony deal still in the air, all eyes turned to the mound for the debut of trade deadline acquisition Dustin May. The towering righty with the signature red hair had a turbulent start to his Red Sox career. After Boston jumped out to a 2-0 first-inning lead, May couldn't hold it, surrendering the lead in the fourth on a two-run single by Kyle Isbel. He was pulled after just 3 2/3 innings, charged with three runs. The game truly got away in the seventh when Jonathan India launched a three-run homer, sealing Boston's fate and bringing their exhilarating win streak to an unceremonious end.
May's debut puts the entire 2025 trade deadline strategy under the microscope. The front office brought in May and fellow pitcher Steven Matz while shipping out Blaze Jordan, moves that received mixed reviews. With the bullpen now featuring a curious collection of five left-handers and questions about whether enough was done to truly bolster the staff for a deep run, every start from the new arms will be heavily scrutinized. The loss, coupled with a debut that was more shaky than solid, will only amplify the debate.
Despite the loss, the team's recent performance has been stellar, hitting a 'Summer Score' of 72, a metric reflecting their hot play since mid-June. Now, they get a much-needed off day on Thursday before heading west for a tough series in San Diego. The club has already announced its formidable rotation for the weekend: Walker Buehler, Lucas Giolito, and Brayan Bello will take the hill against the Padres. Reinforcements could also be on the way eventually, as top pitching prospect Connelly Early is now at Triple-A Worcester and Juan Valera continues his rehab progression in Fort Myers.
So, take a breath on this off day, Sox Nation. One loss doesn't erase a week of fantastic baseball. The streak was fun, but the bigger picture is a team that's competitive, just locked up a cornerstone for the next decade, and has a formidable rotation heading into a crucial series against the Padres. The West Coast trip will be a true test. Let's see if the boys can start a new streak in San Diego.
