What a sincere pleasure it was to break the news of Roman Anthony’s call-up after, just the night before, I went to sleep thinking he might be headed down I-290 and I-90 East to Fenway (see tweet below). The whole point of it all is: Summer for the Kids is officially on at Fenway. With Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer firmly on the major-league roster prior to this week, Roman Anthony’s call-up fulfills the prophecy of Boston’s newest Big Three. He’s since changed his jersey number from 48 (his Spring Training number) to 19, which he wore all throughout Triple-A. We’ll break down his stats below, especially as it relates to his betting markets tonight against Tampa Bay’s Zack Littell. Let’s evaluate his’s best prop bets on the market for tonight’s game between the Red Sox and the Rays.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Best Roman Anthony prop bet for Red Sox vs. Rays tonight
Roman Anthony to hit a home run (+500)
That’s right. We’re calling the very first run of the Roman Empire. Who better against than Zack Littell?
Anthony should be primed for his signature over-the-walls breakout moment tonight against Zack Littell and the Tampa Bay Rays. The young outfielder’s profile speaks volumes about his readiness for MLB success. His raw power, combined with an impressive plate approach, makes him a serious threat for his first career home run against any right-handed pitcher. While dominating in the minors with a .293 batting average and a .380 OBP, Anthony also showed he can consistently make contact, boasting an elite 18.5% strikeout rate. This ability to recognize pitches and avoid chasing makes him particularly dangerous against a pitcher like Littell, who has struggled with hard-hit balls (allowing 17 home runs this season).
Anthony’s combination of power and speed positions him as a potential five-tool player in the majors, and his minor league stats back up his home run potential. With a .423 slugging percentage and 10 home runs in Triple-A, Anthony has proven his power translates against upper-level pitching. Littell, despite his solid 3.68 ERA, has allowed home runs at a concerning rate—those 17 allowed are in in 80.2 innings, which ranks among the bottom tier of MLB starters. That translates to a 1.90 HR/9 rate—significantly higher than his 1.25 HR/9 in 2024
With Anthony’s ability to drive the ball to all fields and his exit velocity showcasing his power, he’s in peak position to take advantage of Littell’s vulnerability to the long ball.
The context of tonight’s game also favors Anthony’s chances. Littell has a 42.3% hard-hit rate and a 1.09 WHIP, both signs that, when he allows contact, he allows hitters to square up the ball. Anthony, as mentioned above, ranks highly for his ability to make contact while hitting the ball with authority. Given Littell’s struggles and Anthony’s advanced approach for a rookie, this is the ideal scenario for him to go yard at Fenway.
Mixed bag for Anthony, so far, but only with regards to the box score. He went 0-for-4 with a walk and an RBI groundout in his Monday debut. His second game, however, was a statement: a two-run double, registering an impressive 92.4 mph exit velocity, helping the Red Sox to a 3-1 win over the Rays.
All to say, in these early major league appearances, Anthony’s advanced metrics shine. His average exit velocity sits at 94.3 mph, with a hard-hit rate of 33.3%. While this sample is small, the numbers align with his exceptional minor league performance. In Triple-A, Anthony posted a barrel rate above 35%, and his average exit velocity hovered just over 96 mph, showcasing his ability to consistently drive the ball.
Some of Littell’s home runs may be bad luck, sure. It could be be tied to his fastball adjustments. After reducing his fastball usage to just 30% in 2024—down from nearly 60% in prior years—Littell experienced a notable velocity drop of around 4mph on the pitch. While this modification improved his control and overall effectiveness, it may have inadvertently made him more prone to giving up home runs in 2025.
It’s a fantastic spot for Anthony to send one over the right-field bullpen. How fun would it be, though, if he went oppo over the Monster?
Roman reigns.
Best bet: Roman Anthony to hit a home run (+500)
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