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Boston Red Sox First Pitch: Chris Sale not holding back in ALCS

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 05: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated in the dugout after being relieved in the sixth inning of Game One of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on October 5, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 05: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated in the dugout after being relieved in the sixth inning of Game One of the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on October 5, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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It’s no holds bar when the Boston Red Sox face off against the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series and Chris Sale wants to set the tone in Game 1.

When it comes to leadership this season, look no further than Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale.

Despite some shoulder issues to end the season, the intimidating lefty has been every much the ace the Red Sox thought he’d be when they traded for him prior to the 2016 season.

As a major part of the team’s 108-win season and advancement to the American League Championship Series, Sale has been dominant.  Seemingly striking out every batter in sight, Sale demonstrated leadership by the command he showed on the mound.  Taking the ball for Game 1 of the ALCS against the defending champion Houston Astros, he is looking to set the tone.

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Sale did it in Game 1 of the ALDS against the powerful New York Yankees lineup and he is going to have to bring his all against Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, George Springer and those Astros bats. The Red Sox ace found out in last year’s playoffs that a couple missed pitches can send his team home.

Looking for both redemption and to defend Fenway Park, Chris Sale is not holding anything back entering this playoff series.

"“I think we’re at the point now where there’s no holding back,” Sale said, as transcribed by WEEI.  “There’s no limitations.  It’s all hands on deck.  We’re here to win.  We’ve got to do whatever it takes to get there.  I think you can ask anybody in that clubhouse or on that coaching staff, they’ll do about anything it takes to get there.  Whether it’s this or that, doesn’t matter, I think everybody’s prepared to do whatever it takes to get to that level.”"

As he did in pitching the eighth inning of Game 4 against the Yankees, Sale will do anything it takes to help his team advance to the next level and hopefully win it.

Live ALCS Game 1 details

How to watch ALCS Game 1: Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox
Location: Fenway Park – Boston, Massachusetts

First pitch: Saturday, October 13, 2018 8:07 p.m. ET

TV: TBS (Check local listings)

Streaming: FuboTV

Pitching matchup: Justin Verlander (16-9, 2.52) vs. Chris Sale (12-4, 2.11 ERA)

Lineup:

  1. Mookie Betts, RF
  2. Andrew Benintendi, LF
  3. J.D. Martinez, DH
  4. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  5. Steve Pearce, 1B
  6. Brock Holt, 2B
  7. Eduardo Nunez, 3B
  8. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
  9. Sandy Leon, C

ALCS Game 1 notes

The Boston Red Sox didn’t make any changes to their 25-man roster going into the ALCS.  That means that veteran left-handed hitter and first baseman Mitch Moreland will be on the roster despite a hamstring injury that kept him out of Game 3 and Game 4 of the ALDS.

Next. Boston Red Sox: 4 stars who must shine on October playoff stage. dark

Also of note is that Brock Holt will be in the lineup Saturday night.  Holt, who was the first major league hitter to hit for the cycle in a playoff game, did not play in the series clinching Game 4 win over the New York Yankees.

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