Chris Sale, Sox already working on plan to stay stronger during season

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. — The start of spring training is more than three weeks away, but already, Chris Sale is thinking about the end of the season.

Not the playoffs, or whom the Red Sox might have to beat in the postseason. Instead, his focus is on being stronger and maintaining his dominance right until the end.

That’s been a career-long issue for Sale, whose ERA in September is higher than any other month. It happened again last year, his first in Boston, when his performance dipped over the final six weeks.

Now, the trick is to address it, a project which is already underway.

“I’ve started a little bit later (with my throwing), trying to ease into it a little bit more,’’ said Sale. “I’ve been working out, but we started dialing back my throwing program a little bit. (We’ve talked about it) quite a bit. I know exactly everything that’s been laid out for me already — not only off-season stuff, but spring training and in-season. I’ve already spoken to the trainers, Dana (LeVangie, pitching coach) and Alex (Cora). Everyone’s on the same page, so it makes it more of an easy transition.’’

But Sale was quick to dismiss any suggestion that he might have fewer starts or aim for less innings during the season.

“No, no, no…easy,’’ he cautioned with a laugh, “nothing like that. It’s more about preparation, the amount of throws made in the off-season, the amount of throws made in spring training, then just kind of playing it by ear when the season rolls around. I don’t want to spill all the beans, but we’ve got a pretty good routine set up. I’m looking forward to it.’’

Sale is a determined athlete and his work ethic is well known. He could sometimes be seen going through an exhausting workout 30 minutes after completing a regular-season start, in an effort to push himself further. But he maintains it won’t be hard to ease up on his workout routine in the season if it helps him reach a goal.

“If it’s something that’s going to help our team, I’m in,’’ Sale said. “There’s really no questions asked after that. More on a personal standpoint, if it’s going to make me be better towards the end, I’m game. You can have the best season you want, but (when you) get to the playoffs, no one cares. You need to be strong when you’re in the playoffs.

“We’ve talked about some things and brought some things up about getting to that point.’’

The new schedule will feature a handful of addition off-days for each team, which could provide Sale with some opportunities to get extra rest between starts.

“In the long run,’’ said Sale, “it will be better for the players and (result in) a better product on the field.’’

Sale was reluctant to provide too many specifics as to what changes he will implement, but he did say the team has stressed the importance of attacking his throwing program more cautiously.

In retrospect, Sale now sees that he may have tried to do too much, too soon in his first season with the Sox.

“I was new here last year,’’ he said. “I came in and felt like I had to prove something. I hadn’t thrown a single pitch in front of (reporters), in front of the fans. So part of me felt like I had to come in and say, ‘Hey, this is what you’re getting.’ I showed up to spring training really ready to go. My arm was almost in (regular-)season form and I think we’re going to gradually build that up this season instead of coming out hot out of the gate.’’

Sale led both leagues in strikeouts last season with 308, but sometimes, such high strikeout totals can come at a cost since they require more pitches thrown. With that in mind, he’d like to be a little more efficient and get outs earlier in the count.

“For me, it’s just more focus,’’ said Sale. “I don’t need to dial it back; I just think I need to eliminate waste pitches. I’d love to get to the sixth inning on a regular basis with 80-85 pitches. That’s easier said than done. But those are kind of the things we’ve been talking about – throwing more effective pitches and things like that.’’

This winter, Sale has made it a personal project to work with lefty Jay Groome, the Red Sox’ top draft pick in 2016. Groome moved to the Fort Myers area recently, and Sale, who lives in nearby Naples, reached out.

“It’s been fun,’’ Sale said. “We’ve been getting after it. He’s done a really good job. It’s fun to see. He’s young and this is kind of his first go at it and I’m just trying to get him prepared and show him what it takes to get through a big league season. He’s got all the tools you possibly can ask for. That guy’s an animal. I’m just trying to give him some ins-and-outs and get him here sooner rather than later.

“He’s young and being able to show him what it takes, the work that goes in. You can’t just roll out of bed and expect to be effective. I’ve been telling what to expect. He’s a good kid.  He’s got all the talent in the world.  I’m not reconstructing this guy; I’m just working out with him and trying to maximize his potential.

“I’ve done this for a while, so I think I have some things I can share with him. The sooner he can realize what he can be, the better off we’ll be in the long run. I look forward to the day that me and him can be in the same rotation.’’