Roman Anthony triples, doubles twice in victory

There is a severe storm coming into the Northeast this weekend, but both the Cubs and Red Sox will likely need these final games for playoff seeding. The current plan is to play two games on Friday and then perhaps move Saturday’s game up to an early game before the weather gets really bad. If that schedule bears out, it would obviously impact the pitching matchups and would likely lead to many hitters sitting out at least one game with three games being played in such close succession. It’s a situation to monitor.

Anthony served as Boston’s primary offensive catalyst in a much-needed win at Tropicana Field by crushing a 438-foot homer off Rays starter Ian Seymour in the opening frame. He also supplied a two-run single in the ensuing frame to drive in three runs for the first time this season. The 22-year-old will head into the postseason as the Red Sox’ top-of-the-order table-setter and is probably going to have to be a difference-maker if they’re going to make a deep playoff push.

Anthony took Angels starter Ryan Johnson deep in the fifth inning for his third round-tripper in 11 games since returning from the injured list on August 30. He struck out in three of his other four plate appearances. He’s provided some stability atop Boston’s lineup and should give them a quality top-of-the-order table-setter for the postseason.

That makes four consecutive multi-hit games since Anthony returned from the injured list on Sunday. His homer against Seattle was his first since coming back and his second for the year. Anthony is now 9-for-18 with four extra-base hits in that span. He’s hit leadoff in each of those games, a role he’ll likely carry through the rest of the season.

After a lengthy stint on the injured list and a minor league rehab assignment, the 22-year-old outfielder is finally ready to rejoin the Red Sox lineup. Before landing on the injured list on May 4, Anthony was slashing .229/.354/.321 with just one homer, five RBI and a pair of stolen bases through his first 130 plate appearances on the season.

Both players were pulled early from their final minor league rehab game at Triple-A Worcester on Saturday and are on their way to join up with the Red Sox. Anthony, 22, hasn’t played in an MLB game since May 4. He and Story should provide a major boost to the Red Sox’ offense in the month of September.

There was some social media chatter late Friday that Anthony and Trevor Story (abdomen) would potentially return for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Yankees. That isn’t happening. There’s a chance that the pair return for Sunday’s series finale in New York based on comments from interim manager Chad Tracy on Friday, but that decision won’t be made until after Saturday’s twin bill. There’s understandably plenty of excitement to see Anthony back in Boston’s lineup, but they obviously want to make sure he’s 100 percent ready before bringing him back, especially since he hasn’t played in the big leagues since May 4.

Both are slated to play in games for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, so they won’t be back for Boston’s doubleheader against the Yankees. Anthony is 4-for-12 with a homer in three games for Worcester after going 3-for-14 with a homer in four games for Double-A Portland.

Anthony had mentioned on Tuesday that the plan was for him to play nine innings in the outfield on Wednesday. If he can do that today, he could be active on Friday for the beginning of the series against the Yankees in New York. The former top prospect in baseball hasn’t played in an MLB game since May 4th and would be a major boost to this Red Sox lineup.

He’s ready. Anthony demolished a no-doubter to right-center field in the seventh inning just a few hours after telling reporters that he thinks there’s a chance he’s back from the injured list for Friday’s series opener against the Yankees. The 22-year-old’s return would provide a definite spark for the Red Sox as they make their playoff push in the closing months of the season.