MLB: Players World Series contenders can’t afford to lose
By Tim Haberin
Boston Red Sox – Chris Sale
After enduring somewhat of a slow start, the Red Sox have been playing much better of late and currently hold the top spot in the American League East. Much has been made of the David Ortiz-less lineup that doesn’t quite pack the same punch that it did a year ago. For that reason, you might say someone like Mookie Betts (who leads the team with 3.8 bWAR) can’t be out of the lineup for any extended period of time.
While Boston would certainly miss a player of Betts’ talent, starting pitcher Chris Sale currently makes the difference between the Red Sox as a World Series contender and just another good team. The lefty came over from Chicago with very high expectations, and he’s lived up to his billing.
Sale has posted a 10-3 record over 16 outings, with a 2.77 ERA. He leads the AL with 113.2 innings pitched, a 0.906 WHIP and 7.36 K/BB ratio. The eight-year veteran leads both leagues with 155 strikeouts, 12.3 K/9 and a sparkling 2.05 FIP. At the All-Star break, you would have to consider Sale an early favorite to win his first Cy Young Award.
The fact that the rest of the BoSox rotation has been fairly disappointing makes Sale even more vital. Reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello is struggling with a 5.06 ERA after 17 starts. After returning from injury, David Price continues to have trouble making it work in Boston. Drew Pomeranz has been serviceable but appears to be improving, and it’s hard to get too excited about Doug Fister recently entering the fold.
If the Red Sox are to make a long postseason run, they’ll need Sale to continue leading their staff. He’s a guy they can hand the ball in a must-win scenario and feel very confident about their chances. That’s worth gold in October.