Sale willing to pitch on short rest in playoffs: 'This is what I live for'

Chris Sale hasn't even thrown his first October pitch yet and he's getting amped for more.

After 260 career regular-season appearances, the Boston Red Sox left-hander is finally set to make his postseason debut when he starts Game 1 of Boston's American League Division Series against the Houston Astros on Thursday. He'll get there after having thrown a major-league leading 214 1/3 innings for the AL East champions this season, the fourth time in five years he's surpassed the 200-inning mark and the first time he's led the league in that category.

Expect Sale to be lobbying for another turn on the mound if Boston's season needs saving. The 28-year-old said Wednesday that pitching on three days' rest will not be a problem for him despite his heavy workload this season, and having limited experience going on short rest.

"Three days' rest, I'm in," Sale told reporters, according to Tim Britton of the Providence Journal. "This is what I live for. I'll throw until my arm falls off."

Sale has only made a start on three days' rest once in his stellar career, and the results were less than favorable. On May 12, 2012, Sale started on short rest for the White Sox three days after throwing an inning in relief, and ended up being tagged for three earned runs on seven hits with only three strikeouts in five innings of work.

Sale will be opposed on the mound by Houston's Justin Verlander - his former AL Central adversary and a veteran of postseason play - in Boston's playoff opener Thursday afternoon.