10/15 ALCS Game 1 @ Astros

[Thunder]

TBD vs TBD (no relation)

 

Let's do it. 4-3 or better in the next 7 will get the job done.

[Old Red]

TBD vs TBD (no relation)

 

Let's do it. 4-3 or better in the next 7 will get the job done.

 

Sale to start game 1?

[YastrzemskI]

Sale to start game 1?

 

Yes.. and Nate is set to start game two.

[moonslav59]

Nate would have been on normal rest.

 

Maybe Cora doesn't want Sale having too much rest after a 1 inning game, last time.

[iortiz]

Sale is going to redeem himself.

 

Let’s go!

[moonslav59]

Sale is going to redeem himself.

 

Let’s go!

 

That's right!

 

We're talking about...

 

Chris Freakin' Sale!

 

[cukes]

nate would have been on normal rest.

 

Maybe cora doesn't want sale having too much rest after a 1 inning game, last time.

 

if we lose game 1, right now nate would be stronger as a saviour for game 2

[Thunder]

This is the way I see it:

 

The goal is to split the first 2 games in Houston.

 

Worst case scenario: Sale still doesn't have it, and Cora takes him out within 1 or 2 innings. Unless our bullpen blows up, we still have a shot to win game 1. Our offense is never out of it, especially the way they've been playing recently. Game 2 in Tampa is a prime example of that. I thought we were done after the Luplow grand slam. Even if we end up losing, we send our ace out to go win game 2. Certainly not a lock, but nobody else I would rather have there when we're down 1-0 in the series.

 

Best case scenario: Sale returns to form, we steal game 1, and Nate gives us a great shot to take both games in Houston

[d-money]

Sale is going to redeem himself.

 

Let’s go!

 

I mean how many chances can you get? He has another chance.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

This is the way I see it:

 

The goal is to split the first 2 games in Houston.

 

Worst case scenario: Sale still doesn't have it, and Cora takes him out within 1 or 2 innings. Unless our bullpen blows up, we still have a shot to win game 1. Our offense is never out of it, especially the way they've been playing recently. Game 2 in Tampa is a prime example of that. I thought we were done after the Luplow grand slam. Even if we end up losing, we send our ace out to go win game 2. Certainly not a lock, but nobody else I would rather have there when we're down 1-0 in the series.

 

Best case scenario: Sale returns to form, we steal game 1, and Nate gives us a great shot to take both games in Houston

 

Good notation of the rotation. As the de facto ace, Eovaldi is also now positioned to be the stopper, with one more day of rest. His next start would presumably be Game 6 a week from tonight, also in Houston... but Nate could also be available for an inning in relief in Game 5 Wednesday (Thursday is an off-day).

 

Cora and his coaches probably want to use Houck as long man tonight (giving the Stros opposite looks of lefty-righty killer sliders), so they can then rest Tanner for another relief stint for either Sunday or Monday. Ideally, Game 2 will mainly feature an Eovaldi-Whitlock show.

[moonslav59]

Good notation of the rotation. As the de facto ace, Eovaldi is also now positioned to be the stopper, with one more day of rest. His next start would presumably be Game 6 a week from tonight, also in Houston... but Nate could also be available for an inning in relief in Game 5 Wednesday (Thursday is an off-day).

 

Cora and his coaches probably want to use Houck as long man tonight (giving the Stros opposite looks of lefty-righty killer sliders), so they can then rest Tanner for another relief stint for either Sunday or Monday. Ideally, Game 2 will mainly feature an Eovaldi-Whitlock show.

 

If Nate started game 1, he'd be in line to start game 5 and with a day off after 5, could also be used in relief for game 6 or 7.

 

In theory, he could start game 1, come in in relief in a game 4 sweep (or to put us up 3-1), and still be okay for a game 7, if we lost a few.

[moonslav59]

I mean how many chances can you get? He has another chance.

 

He got shelled in 1 IP vs the Rays.It's not like he's been god-awful all year or even to end the season.

 

He did not let up more than 3 ER in any start, this year.

 

He ended the season with a 4.08 ERS in his last 4 starts (.684 OPS against)

 

He K'd 21 batters in his last 12.2 IP (21 out of 26 batters!)

 

I'm not saying I feel warm and fuzzy with Sale, tonight, but it has not been all bad for him,

[jad]

The goal is not to split in Houston. That may be a realistic hope. But the goal here, as in all sports, is to win them all. That is why Cora is going with Sale and Eovaldi, no?

[jacksonianmarch]

Sale game 1 is a giant source of criticism for the manager who pushes all the right buttons

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Sale game 1 is a giant source of criticism for the manager who pushes all the right buttons

 

Only for first guessers.

[Bellhorn04]

Sale game 1 is a giant source of criticism for the manager who pushes all the right buttons

 

Some Sox fans think we should only use a 3 man pitching staff of Eovaldi, Houck and Whitlock the rest of the way.

[Thunder]

Some Sox fans think we should only use a 3 man pitching staff of Eovaldi, Houck and Whitlock the rest of the way.

 

Pitch them until their arms fall off, and then pitch them some more.

[mvp 78]

Sale game 1 is a giant source of criticism for the manager who pushes all the right buttons

 

Well, I've heard that Nate noticed something in Sale's delivery and during his last bullpen and adjustments have been made. We'll see if Sale bounces back. Again, Cora has much more information than any of us. He out managed Boone. He out managed Cash. He can probably out manage the remaining managers as well.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Well, I've heard that Nate noticed something in Sale's delivery and during his last bullpen and adjustments have been made. We'll see if Sale bounces back. Again, Cora has much more information than any of us. He out managed Boone. He out managed Cash. He can probably out manage the remaining managers as well.

 

Maybe the last time a slim majority of posters were right with any Chris Sale speculation was voicing concern he was damaged goods when Dombro signed him large and long.

 

There were a few who thought he'd come back in the second half to make 10 starts in '21; they're technically correct, since he had 9 in the regular and soon 2 in the postseason.

[Bellhorn04]

Well, I've heard that Nate noticed something in Sale's delivery and during his last bullpen and adjustments have been made. We'll see if Sale bounces back. Again, Cora has much more information than any of us. He out managed Boone. He out managed Cash. He can probably out manage the remaining managers as well.

 

And sometimes you have to say to a player "let's see what you've got". Hopefully Sale will kick ass. But if not, I'm quite sure there's a Plan B, and Houck or Pivetta are probably involved in that plan.

[Bellhorn04]

Maybe the last time a slim majority of posters were right with any Chris Sale speculation was voicing concern he was damaged goods when Dombro signed him large and long.

 

Some of us have speculated that the injury concerns were factored into the deal. $145 million is a lot of money, but it's a lot less than some pitchers have gotten on long term deals, with Cole of course setting the new bar at $324 million.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

Some of us have speculated that the injury concerns were factored into the deal. $145 million is a lot of money, but it's a lot less than some pitchers have gotten on long term deals, with Cole of course setting the new bar at $324 million.

 

Yikes. Thanks for the perspective. A lot of fans griped about Sale's albatross contract, but it's less than half of Cole's. Sale was a seven-time All-Star and Cy Young finalist, which is still two more great years than Cole has had (including '21)...

 

Eeegads.

[moonslav59]

Well, I've heard that Nate noticed something in Sale's delivery and during his last bullpen and adjustments have been made. We'll see if Sale bounces back. Again, Cora has much more information than any of us. He out managed Boone. He out managed Cash. He can probably out manage the remaining managers as well.

 

Exactly, and when I scratch my head over starting Sale, I'll never be thinking I'm right and Cora is wrong.

 

Cora knows what he's doing. He has more information that us, too.

[moonslav59]

Some of us have speculated that the injury concerns were factored into the deal. $145 million is a lot of money, but it's a lot less than some pitchers have gotten on long term deals, with Cole of course setting the new bar at $324 million.

 

On the open market, I think Sale could have gotten much more than he signed for with us.

[mvp 78]

On the open market, I think Sale could have gotten much more than he signed for with us.

 

Not sure he would have passed a physical on the open market.

[Bellhorn04]

Not sure he would have passed a physical on the open market.

 

Only a Red Sox physical?

[moonslav59]

Only a Red Sox physical?

 

He did start 25 games out of the gate in 2019, so I'm not sure anything would have shown up on a "physical." Certainly, 2018 put a scare into every GM, and a future injury was a big worry.

[Maxbialystock]

Nate would have been on normal rest.

 

Maybe Cora doesn't want Sale having too much rest after a 1 inning game, last time.

 

What I have read is that Sale rediscovered his best stuff in bullpen sessions. One presumes that means his changeup, which is crucial to his success.

[Maxbialystock]

This is the way I see it:

 

The goal is to split the first 2 games in Houston.

 

Worst case scenario: Sale still doesn't have it, and Cora takes him out within 1 or 2 innings. Unless our bullpen blows up, we still have a shot to win game 1. Our offense is never out of it, especially the way they've been playing recently. Game 2 in Tampa is a prime example of that. I thought we were done after the Luplow grand slam. Even if we end up losing, we send our ace out to go win game 2. Certainly not a lock, but nobody else I would rather have there when we're down 1-0 in the series.

 

Best case scenario: Sale returns to form, we steal game 1, and Nate gives us a great shot to take both games in Houston

 

Can't argue with that. Indeed, the Sox won Sale's last start in which he gave up 5 runs in the 1st inning.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

If leaving Houston at least at 1-1 is considered successful, which I would agree with, then starting Sale today and EO tomorrow is no big deal.