HOUSTON — Chris Sale was discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday afternoon.
The Red Sox left-hander reported a stomach ailment following his Saturday start against the Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Sale was admitted and kept overnight for observation, missing the team charter that departed after Sunday’s 7-5 victory over Houston in Game 2. He’s scheduled to rejoin the club here at [...]
HOUSTON — Chris Sale was discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday afternoon.
The Red Sox left-hander reported a stomach ailment following his Saturday start against the Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Sale was admitted and kept overnight for observation, missing the team charter that departed after Sunday’s 7-5 victory over Houston in Game 2. He’s scheduled to rejoin the club here at Minute Maid Park for Tuesday evening’s Game 3.
“We’ll see how he feels physically,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “Then, after that, we’ll decide what we’re going to do.”
Sale’s next scheduled start is Thursday’s Game 5, one that could find Boston either playing for its postseason future or attempting to clinch a berth in the World Series. The Red Sox and Astros are knotted at 1-1 as the series pivots to the home of the defending world champions for three straight.
“I think we’re all more concerned for his personal well-being and not necessarily the team,” Boston outfielder Mookie Betts said. “To know that he’s OK is definitely huge. The fact that he’s going to pitch Game 5 or whatever game is even better.”
Sale pitched just four innings in a 7-2 defeat on Saturday, lacking his trademark command and overpowering fastball. He topped out at 96 mph on the Fenway Park radar gun and made a mess in the second inning by walking two men and hitting a batter. Cora said Sale began feeling sick in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“We need to get him here first and then see how he feels,” Cora said. “It’s more than the Red Sox. It’s about the individual.”
Nathan Eovaldi is scheduled to start on Tuesday for Boston and Rick Porcello would be in line to take the ball for Wednesday’s Game 4. Both teams will get an off day on Friday if the series is still ongoing, presenting Cora with an opportunity to use his bullpen liberally either without Sale or behind him. The Red Sox are carrying just 11 pitchers for the ALCS, but Eduardo Rodriguez could provide multiple innings in relief.
Kimbrel struggles
This kind of stretch isn’t unprecedented during Craig Kimbrel’s time with Boston, but that makes it no less disconcerting.
The Red Sox closer has allowed at least one earned run in all three of his postseason outings in 2018. The latest came in the ninth inning of Game 2, as the Astros' George Springer and Jose Altuve cracked back-to-back two-out doubles. Alex Bregman flew out to the base of the Green Monster representing the tying run, as Boston hearts were lodged in throats for a few excruciating seconds.
“I’m tired of giving up runs, but it was good to get the win,” Kimbrel said on Sunday. “I’ll go back out there, hopefully, in Game 3.”
Kimbrel surrendered an Aaron Judge homer in Game 1 of the A.L. Division Series, tightening up what was a 5-4 win over the Yankees. His next appearance was even more nerve-racking, as Kimbrel loaded the bases and came just a few feet from allowing a walkoff homer to Gary Sanchez. The Red Sox took the series with a 4-3 victory that was a bit too close for comfort.
“We’ll see,” Cora said. “Hopefully he pitches a lot the next three days. That would be good news for us.”
Kimbrel languished through a stretch earlier this season when he allowed at least one earned run in five of six outings, tagged for an 1.142 OPS. He also allowed at least one earned run in three of his final four appearances in the 2016 regular season, walking six in just three innings.
Probable lineup
Houston’s lone left-hander is scheduled to take the mound on Tuesday, prompting Cora to stick with right-handed matchups in his lineup.
Cora said Eduardo Nunez will start at third base and Ian Kinsler is likely to start at second base. Nunez steps in despite two singles and a walk from Rafael Devers in Game 2 and his own defensive frailties that helped cost Boston Game 1.
“I think tomorrow it will kind of be like when we faced CC [Sabathia] in New York,” Cora said. “Probably the same lineup. And we go from there.”
Nunez is 2-for-4 against Dallas Keuchel in a right-left matchup while Devers has yet to face his fellow left-hander. Kinsler has extensive experience against Keuchel in his career, going 11-for-36 with a double and a home run versus Holt’s 2-for-5.
Christian Vazquez is also likely to draw the start behind the plate. Vazquez caught Eovaldi’s dominant Game 3 outing in New York and then homered the following night to provide the deciding run in Game 4. Sandy Leon remains mired in a 5-for-85 slide at the plate.
-- bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25