Red Sox fans freaked out over Chris Sale’s ridiculous rehab start

Boston Red Sox fans were ecstatic about Chris Sale’s rehabilitation start with Double-A Portland on Tuesday night.

The Boston Red Sox are seeing their AL East lead shrink with the Tampa Bay Rays creeping up in the standings. While the Red Sox are in a position to buy at the July 30 trade deadline, they may not need to add a starter, thanks to the impending return of ace Chris Sale.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, Sale had a rehabilitation start down with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday night in front of a sold out crowd. To say that Sale was lights out in his short outing is a massive understatement, as Red Sox fans understandably freaked out on Twitter.

Red Sox fans freak out of Chris Sale’s ridiculous rehab start

https://twitter.com/bostonaustin/status/1417618248997167108

https://twitter.com/imsonotMelville/status/1417616811797909510

Sale pitched through just 3.2 innings on Tuesday night against the Harrisburg Senators, where he struck out six batters and walked just one player in the first inning, but did not allow a single hit or earned run. Most importantly, out of Sale’s 49 pitches, 34 were strikes.

Last spring training, Sale was held out after dealing with a bout of pneumonia. In March, Sale found out that he needed to undergo Tommy John surgery, which effectively knocked him out for the 2020 season. Prior to the start of this season, Sale was placed on the 60-day injured list as he recovered from the surgery.

Just last week, Sale threw his first rehab start with the Florida Complex League Red Sox, where he struck out five batters and allowed four hits through three innings of work.

Red Sox fans have to feel great about their chances of contending in the American League, especially with the latest update on their ace pitcher.