The Boston Red Sox are suddenly at risk of falling out of the playoff race. With their season on the line, they’ll turn to Chris Sale for hope.
Sale has been out all season after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He hasn’t pitched in a major league game since August of 2019.
Yet, he remains the unquestioned ace of the Boston Red Sox staff, which has been going through a bit of a changing of the guard itself. Tanner Houck was just inserted into the rotation along with Sale.
Sale pitched on Saturday in the minors, and Alex Cora expressed excitement about his impending return.
“It’s gonna be a lot different than a rehab start,” he told reporters. “So, give him an extra rest going into that one. It makes sense. I talked to him today — he feels great.”
The 32-year-old will get an extended rest between that start in Worcester and his first appearance for Boston in quite some time.
Boston Red Sox: Chris Sale’s return represents hope in the darkness
The Red Sox are 2-8 in their last ten games, with the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays suddenly in striking distance in the AL East. The Tampa Bay Rays have put some distance between themselves and Boston as well, sitting in first place by three games.
Nonetheless, a playoff berth is still very much in reach for Boston should they turn things around. Sale could turn around a rotation that had been fairly solid all season.
While Red Sox fans were quick to point out that the front office stood pat at the trade deadline rather than making necessary improvements, having Sale waiting in the wings likely made it easier for Chaim Bloom and Co. to sit on their hands.