The Boston Red Sox have had their most successful regular-season in franchise history, breaking the franchise record for wins and securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
While that’s been all too enjoyable for Red Sox nation, there have been concerns in Boston over the past few months with Boston Red Sox’ ace Chris Sale’s DL stints for left shoulder inflammation.
That concerned escalated on Wednesday night when Red Sox fans got a chance to see the flame throwing left-hander one last time before the MLB playoffs begin next week.
Chris Sale pitched 4.2 IP vs the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday, allowing three earned runs on four hits and a walk while striking eight.
It was a outing in which Sale labored much like he did in his last start vs the Cleveland Indians Friday where he threw 73 pitches in 3.1 IP.
Sale would throw 92 pitches in his outing tonight which unusual for himself to have a deep pitch count that early into a game. Fans watching the game are worried with how Sale looked in a playoff tuneup.
This is the first time since all the DL stint/shoulder inflammation stuff started I’ve been genuinely concerned about Chris Sale. And his next start will be in the playoffs. #RedSox — Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) September 26, 2018
he’s definitely saving his fastball for the alds pic.twitter.com/a4s7uJEHv0 — A (@agfelix_) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/graciestone123/status/1045117192587677696
Gotta say I wasn't worried about Sale until tonight — Misunderstood Patriot (@misudurstdptrt) September 27, 2018
Chris Sale should not pitch in the playoffs. I think odds against the Red Sox doing anything past next week just dropped significantly — Vibrantankles (@Vibrantankles) September 27, 2018
Red Sox having Chris Sale essentially taking off the last two months of the season before the playoffs start probably was not the best idea — Dan Miller (@D_Miller_) September 27, 2018
This start is not very Chris Sale-like. And right before the playoffs, that's worrisome. #RedSox — 𝔄𝔫𝔡𝔯𝔢𝔴 ℭ𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔱 (@AndrewCollet) September 26, 2018
Analysts, reporters and writers watching the game, as shown below in a series of tweets, are pointing out a huge dip in Sale’s velocity.
Chris Sale isn't himself. Four-seam fastball averaged 89.9 MPH in the first inning. Hit two batters with the slider. — Chris Mason (@ByChrisMason) September 26, 2018
Chris Sale's average four-seamer dropped from 89.9 mph in the first to 88.9 mph in the second. — Zachary D. Rymer (@zachrymer) September 26, 2018
Topping out 92.8mph and sitting 88-90 with the four-seamer in the 1st? This is not the Chris Sale we're used to … pic.twitter.com/lU8bXPTuOF — Jason Catania (@JayCat11) September 26, 2018
So … Chris Sale is just going to throw 89-90 in the postseason? Hoping this is some sort of plan. — Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) September 27, 2018
Chris Sale’s regular season is over. Not sure he answered any questions tonight. Velo was way down. Relied on off-speed pitches. Hit two batters with the slider. Still effective against this Os team, but far from his sharpest. — Jason Mastrodonato (@JMastrodonato) September 27, 2018
Over the course of the season, Chris Sale’s average fastball velocity sat at 94.8 mph and he hit 98-100 mphs frequently before his shoulder issues began to surface in second half of the season.
Since the returning for the mound just a little less than a month after making third start since the All-Star break, Sale has made four starts in September on a pitch count. He’s pitched in only 12 innings in those four starts while allowing 5 ER over his last two.
The ALDS starts next week and whomever that opponent is, the New York Yankees or Oakland Athletics, the Boston Red Sox are going to need their ace to be as close to his usual self as possible.
Should the Boston Red Sox be concerned about Chris Sale headed into the postseason? Leave your comments below!
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