The Red Sox Lost Game 1 To The Yankees And The Roman Anthony Conversation Is Getting Uncomfortable

There's a Big Game 2 tonight. And it's not fair, but my brain keeps going here. 

Last March, Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, and Roman Anthony were the building blocks that Red Sox fans saw the future of their franchise built on. 

Just over a year and a half later, that foundation feels like it has been washed away.

Marcelo Mayer - Shipped off to the Giants for Erik Miller

Kristian Campbell - Still working on that revamped swing in Worcester 

Winslow Townson. Getty Images.

Roman Anthony

This one sucks the most. 

Because just a few months ago, Roman Anthony was one of the best players on Team USA at the WBC. He looked poised to break out and lead the Red Sox offense - and they were counting on it, after missing out on Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, and almost every other power bat on the market. 

Not only did Roman start the season badly, but then he got hurt. When he played well the final week of the season, it felt like he was getting locked in for a big playoff run. 

And then he had this check swing on Sunday, in a meaningless game that meant nothing for either the Sox or the Cubs. He appeared to reinjure the same injury that kept him out for four months this season. 

Apparently it was so bad, they had Andruw Monasterio ready to go even before the game. After a pair of strikeouts Tuesday night, Anthony left the game with- wait for it…- the same injury. 

This was before the game even started. 

Then after the game. When you listen to Chad Tracy talk about the injury…he never uses the word 'pain.' He just keeps saying discomfort. Or uncomfortable. I don't know. It felt off, right? #uncomfortable 

In any scenario where the Red Sox were going to beat the Yankees, Anthony was going to have to be a huge factor. If he's out, you lose the team's second-best bat. And leadoff hitter. I guess Nick Sogard or Trevor Story leads off? Maybe Jarren Duran? 

Bigger picture, another hand injury for Anthony? He was supposed to be the team's next superstar; he needs to be able to swing a bat - kind of important for a hitter. 

The series is not over. Sonny Gray had a great season and gets the ball tonight. Ranger Suarez and his 1.48 career ERA in the postseason are slated to go Thursday.  The Sox have a path to advance, but will they have Anthony in the lineup to help them? With his weird answers postgame, what was his manager trying to say? 

Even if they can advance, the questions on Roman Anthony and the team's perspective-building blocks are getting uncomfortable