Red Sox Star Set To Return To Club Friday; Could Major Run Be On Way For Boston?

The Boston Red Sox certainly could use a boost and they will be getting one Friday night.

Boston currently is four games out of an American League Wild Card spot after winning three of four games against the lowly Kansas City Royals. If the Red Sox want to earn a playoff spot, they have plenty of work to do. Boston will need to surpass at least two teams to grab a spot and there are under 50 games remaining in the regular season.

The Red Sox got a boost against Kansas City with the return of shortstop Trevor Story and are set to get another one Friday night as star left-handed pitcher Chris Sale is set to return to the mound.

"Chris Sale returns to the roster on Friday night to face the Tigers in what will be his first start since June 1," the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham said. "Before he fractured his shoulder blade, Sale was pitching well and the buzz that usually accompanies a Friday night home game should be even louder when he takes the mound.

"It’s impossible to know what to expect of Sale after 10 weeks on the injured list, but it should be better than yet another bullpen game. 'We’ve been waiting for this day,' (Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. 'He’s been around us and he feels good.'

Sale -- who has dealt with a plethora of injuries in recent years -- was starting to look like himself again before fracturing his shoulder blade in June. The lanky lefty allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts before suffering his injury. If he can continue that level of play, it would be amazing for a Boston club that sorely needs pitching help. Sale looked impressive in his minor league rehab stint with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox and didn't allow a run in 6 1/3 innings pitched.

Boston has its work cut out for it if it wants to make the postseason but the return of Sales at least should help.

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