How Alex Cora Feels Upon Assessing Chris Sale’s Regular-Season Impact

Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale may not have ended his 2021 regular season exactly the way he wanted, but manager Alex Cora wants people to think about the big picture.

Cora was asked Thursday, before the Red Sox kicked off their American League Division Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, to assess Sale’s season, which included nine starts.

“Not too many guys can come out of Tommy John surgery and you throw him in the middle of the pennant race and do the things he’s done,” Cora said, per the team. “He gives us a chance to win.”

Cora did specifically note Sale’s final regular-season start, which came Sunday against the Washington Nationals. Sale was lifted after just two innings, but the Red Sox, obviously, ended up earning a comeback win to advance to the postseason.

All told, Sale compiled a 3.16 ERA in 42 2/3 innings this season. He claimed a noteworthy 5-1 record while benefitting from plenty of run support in a number of those starts.

“I think he’s been solid,” Cora said.

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The Red Sox manager did, though, explain how Sale could get back to his usually dominant ways — particularly when he starts Game 2 on Friday — if he’s able to rediscover his feel for his changeup. It’s been a talking point previously this season, too.

“We talk about the changeup. I don’t think the changeup is where he wants to, but he felt like this week he made a few adjustments that it might play tomorrow,” Cora said. “But velocity-wise, I think velocity will be there tomorrow. I think the slider will be there tomorrow. And he’s going to give us a chance to win the game.”

The Red Sox will begin their best-of-five series against the Rays on Thursday night at Tropicana Field. Eduardo Rodriguez will get the ball for Boston while J.D. Martinez will be available off the bench.

First pitch is scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET, but you can watch both pregame and postgame coverage on NESN starting at 7 p.m.