Sale velocity thread

[Bellhorn04]

Despite the Dl stints and carefully managed pitch counts, Sale has delivered 29 innings since thwe A-S break in 7 starts ( 4.1 average). If this was a fake-out move to confuse his playoff opposition then it has been masterful. The reality is much more like Chris Sale has a chronic shoulder inflammation problem exacerbated by his normally high torque, violent delivery . I believe he is hurt but will try to gut it out based on his competitive personality. The results will speak for themselves.

 

I would give it a 33% chance he pitches one game in the off season, 33% he makes 2 starts, 33% that he dominates and wins 2 games, and 1% that he is actually fine and going the rope-a-dope route. I think there is a 50% + chance that he will have some type of corrective surgery procedure on the shoulder this off season and they will keep him sidelined until about the A-S break in 2019.

 

Yeah, the rope-a-dope theory is pretty preposterous, I'm afraid. I could see one phantom DL, but 2 phantom DL's plus 4 games of fake 'ramping up the pitch count'? I don't think so.

[Maxbialystock]

i like our hitters vs either of the 2 possible ALDS opponents. i am not afraid of either pitching staff. i believe our offense goes off vs either of them.

i believe we will struggle more on offense in the ALCS vs either of the 2 possible contenders. they have + arms that can shut us down. in that scenario i would like to have Sale for 1, 4, 7.

 

Actually, I like that.

[FredLynn]

I think Beckett many years ago pitched injured with much diminished velocity in the playoffs. Can't remember what year that was, but I remember he got his butt kicked. If Sale cannot throw a decent fastball this team will not make it far in the playoffs I am afraid. We need him.

[Bellhorn04]

I think Beckett many years ago pitched injured with much diminished velocity in the playoffs. Can't remember what year that was, but I remember he got his butt kicked.

 

2008. He did actually gut out a win in Game 6 of the ALCS that year.

[Bellhorn04]

Cora says Sale's loss of velocity in the last start had to do with his mechanics being off rather than the shoulder. Hopefully that's the case.

[fxkatt]

2008. He did actually gut out a win in Game 6 of the ALCS that year.

 

Yes, but Sale is built opposite to Beckett. So gutting out a game or two may be beyond his thin man capacity. But the gutting might be passed over to Wright or Eovaldi.

[Bellhorn04]

Yes, but Sale is built opposite to Beckett. So gutting out a game or two may be beyond his thin man capacity. But the gutting might be passed over to Wright or Eovaldi.

 

I don't think we should write off Sale just yet.

[oldtimer]

I don't think we should write off Sale just yet.

 

Cora says it is his mechanics and not a sore shoulder. They will work to get him back to where he was. They still have some time to do that and we will need him to be solid.

[Station 13]

Remember early in the season Sale velo was in question. He made adjustment and suddenly hit 100. Prior to his last game, his velo was good.

[moonslav59]

I don't think we should write off Sale just yet.

 

Rumors of Sale's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

[Kimmi]

I have to agree with Jacko here...something is up for sure. Maybe Sale will get it figured out before his next start; maybe he is just injured and we aren't being told the extent of it. Sale was quoted as saying that he wasn't where he hoped to be right now, and I don't think its a rope-a-dope. I think he wants to pitch and while I appreciate his competitive nature its pretty clear that he is not right.

 

Sale will be fine. Relax.

[iortiz]

Reading through this thread looks like Sale is done LOL! Cmon people.

[Kimmi]

Reading through this thread looks like Sale is done LOL! Cmon people.

 

It's kind of like when people panicked during spring training when Mookie went 0-fer.

[FredLynn]

Sale will be fine. Relax.

 

Trust..............but verify.

[moonslav59]

Reading through this thread looks like Sale is done LOL! Cmon people.

 

I know, right.

 

This is...

 

Chris Freakin' Sale!

[Kimmi]

I know, right.

 

This is...

 

Chris Freakin' Sale!

 

Meh. We didn't even really need Sale this year.

[devildavid]

I don't think we should write off Sale just yet.

 

Rumors of Sale's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

 

Sale will be fine. Relax.

 

Reading through this thread looks like Sale is done LOL! Cmon people.

 

I think the concern for how Sale will perform in the playoffs is justified. I think he will be back to his old dominant self eventually, but wonder if it will be on time to win a championship.

[Kimmi]

I think the concern for how Sale will perform in the playoffs is justified. I think he will be back to his old dominant self eventually, but wonder if it will be on time to win a championship.

 

The concern is justified. The panic over our postseason chances is not.

 

Even if Sale is not 100% back by Game 1, IMO, he will still be very good. He might not pitch a 7 or 8 inning shutout, but he'll be good enough to keep the team in the game.

 

If he just doesn't have it, then I believe Eovaldi will be available out of the pen for a few innings in Game 1, and he has been sharp against that unmentionable team.

[moonslav59]

The concern is justified. The panic over our postseason chances is not.

 

Even if Sale is not 100% back by Game 1, IMO, he will still be very good. He might not pitch a 7 or 8 inning shutout, but he'll be good enough to keep the team in the game.

 

If he just doesn't have it, then I believe Eovaldi will be available out of the pen for a few innings in Game 1, and he has been sharp against that unmentionable team.

 

I think Eovaldi should start game 4. I'd bring in Wright for 2-3 innings, maybe longer if needed, in game 1.

 

ERod should be our other long man from the pen.

 

I guess we could use Eovldi in relief for one inning, then start him game 4 in NY or OAK 3 days rest.

[oldtimer]

I think Eovaldi should start game 4. I'd bring in Wright for 2-3 innings, maybe longer if needed, in game 1.

 

ERod should be our other long man from the pen.

 

I guess we could use Eovldi in relief for one inning, then start him game 4 in NY or OAK 3 days rest.

 

Yes, Sale will start in game 1 and Price in game 2 if against the Yankees since they don't want him starting in Yankee stadium. That leaves Porcello and Eovaldi to start games 3 and 4. I hope that E-Rod can give us mature innings from the BP. He has the stuff if he can get his mind around the magnitude of the situation.

[fxkatt]

Yes "the magnitude of the situation" is what this Sale discussion is all about.

 

My biggest concern (almost fear) is that Sale will walk a couple of Yanks early and then the crushing homer. This is exactly how the Yanks win games and why they won 100 games. (They take walks, and they hit homers--lots of them)

 

Losing game one at home means you've not only lost home advantage but are down in a very short series.

 

And how long does Cora stick with Sale if he's hit early. Quick or slow with the hook, and he will be strongly second-guessed. And Sale's health will be a big talk topic.

[moonslav59]

Yes "the magnitude of the situation" is what this Sale discussion is all about.

 

My biggest concern (almost fear) is that Sale will walk a couple of Yanks early and then the crushing homer. This is exactly how the Yanks win games and why they won 100 games. (They take walks, and they hit homers--lots of them)

 

Losing game one at home means you've not only lost home advantage but are down in a very short series.

 

And how long does Cora stick with Sale if he's hit early. Quick or slow with the hook, and he will be strongly second-guessed. And Sale's health will be a big talk topic.

 

How will Cora handle Sale after he has 12 Ks through 6 IP with 95 pitches, 1 ER and 2 BBs? Will he pull him for 2-3 IP from Wright??

[fxkatt]

How will Cora handle Sale after he has 12 Ks through 6 IP with 95 pitches, 1 ER and 2 BBs? Will he pull him for 2-3 IP from Wright??

 

I'm by no means arguing that Sale should not be the starter. I'm just painting the concern which most knowing fans have either admittedly or sub-consciously. In other words, if there is a concern, and there should always be in a short series (no one knows this better than Cora) then my best guess is that Sale is the primary one.

[moonslav59]

I'm by no means arguing that Sale should not be the starter. I'm just painting the concern which most knowing fans have either admittedly or sub-consciously. In other words, if there is a concern, and there should always be in a short series (no one knows this better than Cora) then my best guess is that Sale is the primary one.

 

I get the concern. I'm concerned, too.

 

Part of me also feels better about sale this October than I did before last October.

 

Last year, I knew they over-worked him, and he had a long and solid history of declining in August and September. They had him lead the league in Ks with way too many IP'd.

 

This year, he went on the DL and stated he could have kept pitching. he came back from that DL and pitched a great game... maybe his best of the season.

 

yes, he went right back on the DL, and I don't think it was for nothing. He had a sore shoulder, but I also think the extra rest could very well make Sale a better pitcher this October than last October.

[dgalehouse]

Worry , worry, worry. There is always something to worry about. Take comfort in knowing that the smart money wise guys have made the Sox the favorites. They are as objective as it gets.

[moonslav59]

Worry , worry, worry. There is always something to worry about. Take comfort in knowing that the smart money wise guys have made the Sox the favorites. They are as objective as it gets.

 

Yes, every team has worries. I think other teams have more than we do.

[devildavid]

I don't think we should write off Sale just yet.

 

Rumors of Sale's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

 

Sale will be fine. Relax.

 

The concern is justified. The panic over our postseason chances is not.

 

Even if Sale is not 100% back by Game 1, IMO, he will still be very good. He might not pitch a 7 or 8 inning shutout, but he'll be good enough to keep the team in the game.

 

If he just doesn't have it, then I believe Eovaldi will be available out of the pen for a few innings in Game 1, and he has been sharp against that unmentionable team.

 

Sales being very good may not cut it against the teams in the playoffs. I don't feel panic, but realistically I'm not expecting much from Sale. I would not be shocked if he gets lit up.

[vegasbob]

Sales being very good may not cut it against the teams in the playoffs. I don't feel panic, but realistically I'm not expecting much from Sale. I would not be shocked if he gets lit up.

 

Not so worried about getting lit up, but durability and depth. Can he get 6+ innings and 2 starts, if needed, in the ALDS. Also so glad to see that Nate Eovaldi has magically become the answer to all problems.

[moonslav59]

What is the more likely first game line?

 

A) 2 IP 4H 4 ER 3K 2 BB

 

or

 

5 IP 4H 2 ER 8K 1 BB

 

or

 

C) 6 IP 2H 1 ER 10K 1 BB

 

I'm going with C with B being very possible.

[Kimmi]

I think Eovaldi should start game 4. I'd bring in Wright for 2-3 innings, maybe longer if needed, in game 1.

 

ERod should be our other long man from the pen.

 

I guess we could use Eovldi in relief for one inning, then start him game 4 in NY or OAK 3 days rest.

 

I am pretty sure that I read somewhere that Eovaldi would be available out of the pen in Game 1, even if he is starting Game 4, which would be the case if we play the Yankees. Wright is definitely another option.