Red Sox concerned Sale's struggles vs. Indians are because they know what's coming

CLEVELAND – Two starts now, separated by a month, have yielded the same lousy results: seven runs both times, to the same team.

The Cleveland Indians have figured out something when it comes to Chris Sale. He’s given up 14 runs (13 earned) in eight innings for an ERA of 14.63. Against everyone else he’s faced this year, Sale has an ERA of 2.32.

What gives?

Perhaps, unwittingly, it’s Sale himself. Is it possible that he’s tipping his pitches when it comes to the Indians?

“You’d think that, with the way they’ve hit me,’’ Sale admitted to BostonSportsJournal.com after a drubbing by the Indians, 13-6. “I haven’t found anything, but it’s something we’re going to look at on video. It might be something simple, like (pitch) sequencing. But it’s something we’ll definitely take a look at.’’

Some in the organization are already on the case.

“We’ve already started to look at it, to be honest with you,’’ said pitching coach Carl Willis. “During the game, we had our video guys looking at things. I think Chili (Davis, hitting coach) pointed out a few things just look different. We haven’t found anything yet. It is possible. There could be something; we can’t rule that out. We’ve got to look into it. We won’t leave any stone unturned.

“But here’s the thing: guys get traded around, go to other organizations, other teams ... you’d think that if someone had something like that when they go to another team, they would spread the word. And obviously, he’s pitched extremely well against other clubs. More than anything else, it may just be a comfort level. They’ve seen him a lot. He’s got a unique delivery and having seen it so many times, maybe this isn’t quite as intimidating, if you will.’’

Then again, as Willis suggested, Sale’s struggles against the Indians may be nothing more than familiarity. Last night was his 18th career start against the Indians and 29th appearance, most, of course, dating back to Sale’s time within the A.L. Central with the Chicago White Sox.

In this case, familiarity may not breed contempt, but instead, confidence for the Cleveland hitters. Sale has given up six or more runs 12 times in his career; on five of those occasions, the Indians have been the opponents.

“I don’t know,’’ said Sale, when presented with the theory. “That’s something you might want to ask them. If I knew why they were having so much success, I’d certainly change it.’’

“To a certain extent,’’ said John Farrell when asked if the Indians frequent exposure to Sale has aided their cause. “But still, it comes down to execution. Both Cleveland and Minnesota are two very good fastball-hitting teams and they’re the two that have swung the bats best against him. It’s a matter of being able to throw your fastball to both sides of the plate and slow them down in certain counts.’’

Whether the Indians know what’s coming – or have figured out some sequencing on Sale’s part – it ultimately does come down to execution. That, too, has to get better.

“I stunk,’’ conceded Sale. “You look at the pitchers that they hit, everything was up over the plate. I just…sucked, quick honestly. The pitchers weren’t down, they were right there, center-cut.’’

Sale’s has a history of fading somewhat in the last two months, but he insisted Thursday night that he was neither spent nor physically ailing.

“That’s kind of the frustrating part,’’ said Sale. “I do feel good. I should be getting better results than I have.’’

The success the Indians have had against Sale does not augur well for October. If the playoffs were to begin today, the Sox and Indians would again meet in the ALDS, and the prospect of their best pitcher having struggled against them wouldn’t fill the Sox with confidence.

“If we face them again,’’ said Willis, “hopefully we can figure it out.’’

For his part, Sale isn’t worried. In fact, he sounded like a man who would relish the challenge of facing them again in the playoffs.

“I would love it, would absolutely love it,’’ said Sale. “This is obviously a pretty good rivalry even thought we’re not in (the same) division or anything like that. But given what happened last (October) and the series that we’ve had against each other this year, they’ve been phenomenal.’’

Even with the struggles?

“Hell yeah,’’ said Sale without hesitation.