Red Sox Star Calls Out Team's 'Unacceptable' Start

Roman Anthony says Boston's lack of energy and poor play is unacceptable to fans.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:18am

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony criticized his team's poor start to the 2026 season, calling their performance in a home series loss against the San Diego Padres "unacceptable." Anthony said the Red Sox need to bring more energy and play better to meet the high standards expected by their fans.

Why it matters

The Red Sox were expected to be a contender this season after making the playoffs in 2025, and Anthony is a rising young star. His public criticism of the team's effort and execution highlights growing concerns about the club's early struggles and the pressure to perform for their passionate fanbase.

The details

The Red Sox lost the three-game series against the Padres at Fenway Park, including blowing a four-run lead in the series finale on Sunday. Anthony went 0-for-4 in that game, though he scored a run. He said the team needs to "find a way to just bring more energy and just be better" and that their current level of play is "unacceptable to the fans" and "unacceptable to the standard we set for ourselves."

  • The Red Sox lost the home series against the Padres over the weekend of April 4-6, 2026.
  • The series finale was played on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Roman Anthony

A 21-year-old outfielder for the Boston Red Sox who is considered one of the team's rising young stars after an excellent rookie season in 2025.

Boston Red Sox

The professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts that plays in the American League East division of Major League Baseball.

San Diego Padres

The professional baseball team based in San Diego, California that plays in the National League West division of Major League Baseball.

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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

The takeaway

Anthony's strong criticism of the Red Sox's lack of energy and poor play to start the season highlights the high expectations the team and its fans have after making the playoffs in 2025. The young star's comments put pressure on the team to quickly turn things around and show more effort and execution on the field.