3 Red Sox players who will need to step up in the ALCS

Chris Sale needs to step up for the Red Sox in the ALCS

Last but not least, the big one.

After an ALDS that tired out pretty much every Sox pitcher, the Sox will definitely need Chris Sale to come up big in the next round.

Unfortunately, Sale is developing a postseason narrative, and it’s more David Price than Pedro Martinez. Dating back to the 2017 ALDS, Sale has struggled in every one of the postseason starts he’s made. His only scoreless appearances have come in relief.

In the regular season, Sale has a 3.03 ERA over 321 games in 11 seasons. In eight postseason games, he has a 7.27 ERA.

On Friday night, Sale’s start lasted exactly one inning, and he gave up five earned runs on four hits, including a grand slam. He walked one batter and struck out two, but he cost his team their 2-0 lead and left them with a 5-2 deficit to overcome.

Sale had the worst start of his postseason career against the Astros. In his October debut in Game 1 of the 2017 ALDS, Sale gave up seven earned runs on nine hits in five innings. Jose Altuve homered three times in that game.

In the 2018 ALCS, he faced them once again. He allowed two earned runs on one hit in four innings but walked a postseason career-high four batters. The Red Sox lost both of those games.

After Friday night’s one-inning debacle, it wouldn’t matter who the Red Sox’ ALCS opponent is; Sale needs to step up.