As anticipation builds for the 2026 MLB season, the Boston Red Sox have started revealing where key players will bat in the lineup. On Wednesday, manager Alex Cora discussed Jarren Duran’s role along with Roman Anthony and Trevor Story during an interview with Lauren Shehadi and Chris Young on MLB Network, shedding light on how the squad will be arranged to maximize offensive potential.
Cora confirmed that Roman Anthony will take the leadoff position, emphasizing Anthony’s ability to set the tempo early in the game. The manager praised Anthony’s disciplined hitting and clutch power, noting his significant contributions last season. Trevor Story is slated to bat second, following a strong performance in the latter half of the previous year, while Jarren Duran is expected to bat third, with his exact spot still being finalized depending on the outfield configuration.
Former Red Sox Infielder Supports Anthony’s Leadoff Role
On February 12, Lou Merloni, a former utility infielder for the Red Sox now working as an analyst for NESN, expressed strong support for Roman Anthony occupying the leadoff spot at the start of the 2026 season. Speaking on the podcast ‘Boston Has Entered The Chat,’ Merloni highlighted Anthony’s enthusiasm and natural fit for the role, stating that putting pressure on opposing pitchers from the first pitch is an important strategic advantage.
Merloni also acknowledged that the lineup might shift due to injuries or tactical adjustments, but he anticipates Anthony will hold the leadoff position initially. Anthony’s impressive 2025 season, during which he posted a .292 batting average with 8 home runs and 32 RBIs after debuting mid-season, earned him a finalist spot for the American League MVP award alongside Jacob Wilson and Nick Kurtz, underscoring his rising prominence.
Strategic Implications for the Red Sox Offense in 2026
The Red Sox’s decision to place Roman Anthony at the top of the lineup signals a commitment to using his hitting skills to ignite scoring opportunities early in games. With Trevor Story following closely and Jarren Duran hitting third, the team aims to capitalize on a balanced lineup that can apply pressure consistently.
Manager Cora’s remarks about juggling outfielders indicate a flexible approach, allowing adjustments as player performance and health evolve through the season. This strategy could provide the Red Sox with resilience and adaptability, essential qualities for competing at a high level in a challenging league.
As the 2026 season approaches, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how these lineup decisions translate on the field, especially with Jarren Duran’s position still to be confirmed. The combination of Anthony’s leadoff presence, Story’s power, and Duran’s potential impact is poised to shape the Red Sox’s offensive identity and competitiveness in the coming year.
“Roman will leadoff,” Cora confirmed (Timestamp: 1:28). “From pitch one, you have to execute, if you’re facing us. The kid, he’s a good hitter. He knows the strike zone. With one swing, it’s one-nothing Red Sox. He did an outstanding job for us last year, and I expect him to do the same thing (this year).
“Trevor will hit second. If you look at the numbers, the last four months of the season, he was one of the best hitters in the big leagues. Jarren will hit third. Position about to be determined. We got a lot of outfielders, and that’s my job, right. We’ll move it around, we’ll see how it goes.
“It sounds like he’s going to hit leadoff,” Merloni said, via ‘Boston Has Entered The Chat’ (Timestamp: 3:46). “He loves this leadoff (spot)… I just think, just throw him out there right away. Hit a double, get a walk, hit a home run, whatever it is, put pressure on them right from the jump.
“Now, it could be fluid. See how the injuries happen, see what the lineup looks. Would he move back to two? Would he move back to three? That’s open for discussion. But everything points to him leading off, to start the year at least.”
The top of the Red Sox' batting order, according to Alex Cora:
1. Roman Anthony
2. Trevor Story
3. Jarren DuranMLB Network + @SageUSAmerica pic.twitter.com/PGnshfrP76
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 4, 2026
