Red Sox Outfielder Calls Team's Early Season Performance 'Unacceptable'

Boston sits at 2-7, the worst record in MLB, after another loss to the Padres.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:40pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric planes in the Red Sox's red and navy blue colors, conceptually representing the team's early-season troubles.A cubist interpretation of the Red Sox's early-season struggles, with the team's signature colors fractured into an abstract representation of their disappointing start.San Diego Today

The Boston Red Sox entered Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres looking to end their early-season struggles, but despite a late rally, they fell 8-6 and dropped to 2-7 on the year, the worst record in Major League Baseball. Following the game, Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony did not hold back in his criticism of the team's performance, calling it 'unacceptable' to the fans and the standard the team has set for itself.

Why it matters

The Red Sox made several high-profile offseason moves, including signing free agent Ranger Suarez to a $130 million deal, in an effort to strengthen their lineup. However, the team's poor start has them facing a tough upcoming schedule against the Brewers and Cardinals, putting early pressure on the club to turn things around.

The details

The Red Sox rallied late to tie the game against the Padres, but ultimately fell 8-6, dropping their record to 2-7 on the season. Following the game, outfielder Roman Anthony criticized the team's performance, saying 'We need to find a way to just bring more energy and just be better. This is unacceptable. It's unacceptable to the fans. It's unacceptable to the standard we set for ourselves.' Anthony made it clear that responsibility falls across the entire roster, stating 'We simply just need to be better. I need to be better. Everyone in this room understands that they need to be better.'

  • The Red Sox entered Sunday's game against the Padres looking to end their early-season struggles.
  • The Red Sox fell 8-6 to the Padres on Sunday, dropping their record to 2-7 on the season.

The players

Roman Anthony

A Red Sox outfielder who strongly criticized the team's poor early-season performance following their loss to the Padres.

Ranger Suarez

A free agent the Red Sox signed to a $130 million deal in the offseason in an effort to strengthen their lineup.

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What they’re saying

“We need to find a way to just bring more energy and just be better. This is unacceptable. It's unacceptable to the fans. It's unacceptable to the standard we set for ourselves.”

— Roman Anthony, Red Sox Outfielder

“We simply just need to be better. I need to be better. Everyone in this room understands that they need to be better.”

— Roman Anthony, Red Sox Outfielder

What’s next

The Red Sox will face a tough upcoming schedule, hosting the Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series starting on Monday, followed by a series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The takeaway

The Red Sox's poor start to the season, despite their offseason moves, has put early pressure on the team to turn things around. Roman Anthony's strong criticism of the team's performance highlights the urgency for the Red Sox to improve and live up to the high standards they have set for themselves.