Sale was the Opening Day starting pitcher for the 2018 Red Sox. Facing the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, he pitched six innings, giving up just one hit and walking three, while striking out nine. However, the Rays scored six runs in the eighth inning off of Boston's bullpen, defeating the Red Sox, 6-4, and leaving Sale with a no decision. During June, Sale had a 1.76 ERA over six starts and recorded 60 strikeouts in 41 innings; he was named the AL Pitcher of the Month. On July 6, Sale pitched six innings while allowing just one run against the Kansas City Royals, getting the win. It was his ninth win of the season (against four losses), and the 100th win of his MLB career. Two days later, Sale was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game; he was named the AL starting pitcher, for the third consecutive year, on July 16. On July 31, Sale was placed on the disabled list due to left shoulder inflammation; at that point in the season, he had an 11-4 record with 2.04 ERA in 22 starts. He was activated on August 12, and was the winning pitcher of that day's game against Baltimore. On August 18, Sale was again placed on the 10-day disabled list-retroactive to August 15-due to inflammation of the same shoulder. He was activated on September 11, pitching one inning in that day's game against Toronto. On October 23rd, Sale started Game 1 of the World Series for the Red Sox at home at Fenway Park. He pitched 4-plus innings, giving up three runs on five hits and striking out seven in a no decision. The Red Sox went on to win the game 8-4. He won his first World Series ever, closing out the final inning of Game 5.
15 сен 2024
