Chris Sale is discounted by MLB analyst after embarrassing season debut with the Boston Red Sox: "Complete clown show, and Sale was a joke"
Hopes were high as Chris Sale took the field for the Boston Red Sox on Saturday against their divisional rival, the Baltimore Orioles. For the 6-foot-6 left-hander, it was to be his first start in the month of April since 2019.
After appearing in just two games for his team in 2022, Sale was looking for a big rebound in the Boston's second game of the season.
Unfortunately for Chris Sale, it quickly became a nightmare outing. He surrendered a pair of solo shots to Austin Hays and Ryan Mountcastle in the first inning. After Cedric Mullins' three-run shot in the fourth, Sale was pulled after allowing seven earned runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings. Despite trailing 7-1, Boston rallied to win 9-8.
Cedric Mullins 3-run shot! 💣💣💣
(via @Orioles)
https://t.co/FzE8S1xwzu
Boston Red Sox fans have widely bemoaned the disastrous performance from Sale, and Boston-based media outlets are echoing their frustration.
Speaking on NBC Sports Boston, analyst Tony Massarotti had some choice words for Sale, who finds himself with an ERA of 21.00.
"The bottom line with Sale: He doesn't scare anybody anymore."
@TonyMassarotti reacts to Chris Sale's season debut vs. Orioles
More on Sale's debut here: nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox… https://t.co/w6rdRN9g0V
"The bottom line with Sale: He doesn't scare anybody anymore," Boston sportscaster Tony Massarotti said.
When Chris Sale first came to the Red Sox from the Chicago White Sox in 2017, he struck out 10 or more batters in eight consecutive starts, tying an MLB record. After finishing in Cy Young contention in both 2017 and 2018, Red Sox fans thought the music would never stop.
In 2019, Chris Sale penned a five-year, $145 million contract with Boston. After starting a career-low number of games in 2019, he underwent Tommy John surgery and was sidelined him for the entire 2020 season.
After recovering slightly in 2021, Sale started only a pair of games in 2022 after a succession of injuries kept him sidelined. Although he has been given the go-ahead by team doctors, questions linger regarding whether Sale will ever be able to return to his All-Star form.
Chris Sale's first outing will raise questions from Red Sox fans
The Boston Red Sox were able to capture a miraculous 9-8 victory against the Baltimore Orioles. Despite being saved by Adam Duvall's walk-off home run, Sale's performance raises questions about the future of Boston's staff.