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Red Sox Reeling After Game 1 Rout, Now Facing Anthony Injury Scare

Boston's Wild Card Series opener went sideways in a hurry, and a Roman Anthony hand injury adds a fresh worry before Game 2.

The Red Sox's AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees is off to a rough start. New York blew open Game 1 with a 9-0 win on Tuesday night, per ESPN, as Cam Schlittler turned in another sharp playoff outing on the mound and Ben Rice delivered the back-breaker: a late grand slam that was part of a six-RBI night. It was a lopsided finish to a matchup both sides had been building up as one of October's most charged first-round series.

Boston countered with rookie left-hander Payton Tolle on the mound for Game 1, with the plan calling for Sonny Gray and Ranger Suarez to follow him later in the series. That rotation blueprint is now more important than ever with the Red Sox facing a must-win in Game 2.

Making matters more uncertain, outfielder Roman Anthony exited early after an injury to his hand — the same hand that had already kept him out of action for nearly four months. His availability for Game 2 is unclear, per ESPN, which would be a significant blow for a Boston lineup that already has its back against the wall.

There was at least one piece of reinforcement for the Red Sox: left-hander Garrett Crochet was added to the wild-card roster and will be available out of the bullpen against the Yankees, despite not having pitched since April because of shoulder inflammation. Whether he's needed in relief for length or matchups, having another established arm available gives Boston some flexibility as the series continues.

None of it changes the bottom line: the Red Sox dug themselves a hole in Game 1, and now must navigate a potential Anthony absence while trying to even the series. A short-rest series like this leaves little room to recover from either problem.

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