The Boston Red Sox were dealt another COVID-19-related blow on Friday, as news broke that left-handed pitcher Chris Sale tested positive for the virus.
BREAKING: Chris Sale tests positive for COVID-19, will not make scheduled start Sunday.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) September 10, 2021
Boston has lost countless players due to virus protocols over the past couple of weeks.
In fact, Sale is the 10th Red Sox player to test positive, and that doesn’t even include players who were sidelined for a few days due to close contacts.
It looked like Boston’s COVID-19 issues were starting to improve, but that’s clearly not the case after today’s news.
Here’s everything you need to know about the situation.
Sale’s Absence Will Be Felt In A Big Way
Sale’s positive test comes at a very inopportune time for Boston.
The team is battling for positioning in the American League Wild Card race, and every game is critical at this stage in this season.
Sale was scheduled to start this weekend against the Chicago White Sox.
Since he’ll likely have to stay away from the team for a minimum of 10 days, Boston will presumably have to skip his turn in the rotation at least twice.
For Red Sox fans, the most frustrating part of this is that Sale has been throwing the ball so well.
In five starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, he has a 2.52 ERA and 3.92 FIP.
He has allowed two runs or fewer in all of his outings, and the Red Sox are 4-1 in his starts.
The team will now be without its ace for a little while.
The Red Sox Might Be Forced To Call Up Connor Seabold For A Few Spot Starts
Sale isn’t the only Red Sox starter on the COVID-19 list—right-hander Nick Pivetta is, too.
Boston needs some rotation help immediately, and highly-touted prospect Connor Seabold might be the guy for the job.
Fwiw, while Connor Seabold is on the taxi squad – and now almost sure to get a start in Chicago – Kutter Crawford remains scheduled to start tonight for the WooSox.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) September 10, 2021
Getting thrust into an intense playoff race would be a wild way for Seabold to join the big leagues, but it sounds like that might be the way this is going to unfold.
According to at least one publication, Seabold is Boston’s No. 2 pitching prospect.
For his career, the 25-year-old has a minor-league ERA of 3.54, WHIP of 1.06, and K/9 of 9.6.
He spent his collegiate career at California State University, Fullerton.
During his time there, he posted a 2.89 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 9.6 K/9.
He’s easily the most MLB-ready arm in Boston’s system, and it will be very interesting to see him on a big-league mound.
Boston Needs To Hope That Sale’s Stint On The COVID-19 List Won’t Negatively Impact His Rhythm
Rhythm is a very fragile thing for starting pitchers.
For Sale, this season has already been quirky, considering the fact that he just made his 2021 debut about a month ago.
Now that he’s sidelined again, Boston needs to hope that the lefty won’t get thrown off.
In all likelihood, the Red Sox are going to find themselves in the American League Wild Card Game next month.
You better believe they’re going to give the ball to Sale in that game.
Ideally, Sale will get off the COVID-19 list and be able to establish a bit of a routine before taking the mound in the Wild Card matchup.
That would be the best-case scenario.
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