The Boston Purple Sox haven’t even launched into their offseason and already the purpose is ready: Chris Sale for 2024 Opening Day.
Earlier than taking the mound for his remaining begin of 2023 in Baltimore, Sale was named the anticipated Opening Day starter for subsequent season by Purple Sox supervisor Alex Cora. That’s each A) daring and B) a serious vote of confidence within the southpaw veteran who’s undergone a rocky, injury-riddled previous few years with the group.
“It means quite a bit, I admire that,” Sale advised reporters, as seen on NESN’s postgame protection. “It provides me one thing to sit up for different than simply being wholesome. Not solely am I making an attempt to be wholesome, I’m making an attempt to construct on issues. I’m not making an attempt to get to zero by spring coaching, I’m making an attempt to construct one thing up. So it positively provides me one thing to chase this offseason which is sweet.”
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General, 2023 didn’t go as deliberate for both the Purple Sox or Sale, however a minimum of the seven-time All-Star closed the yr on a robust observe. Sale was each wholesome and efficient within the remaining stretch, pitching to a 2.88 by his remaining 5 begins, which he’ll look to choose up on subsequent season.
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Cora revealed that forward of Sale’s remaining begin, the 2 had a dialog concerning subsequent season’s Opening Day towards the Seattle Mariners.
“I talked to him like, ‘If all the things goes nicely, you already loved Recreation 2, Opening Day at Fenway this yr. The purpose is so that you can pitch that first sport in Seattle,’” Cora defined pregame, per NESN. “… That’s the purpose, for Chris to have that begin.”
