Chris Sale credits Alex Cora’s demeanor for Boston’s hot start

The Boston Red Sox are off to a hot start this season, and pitcher Chris Sale is giving credit to the team’s new manager Alex Cora and his demeanor.

Boston (9-1) is one of two teams in Major League Baseball with just one loss so far this season. With the Red Sox getting off to such an impressive start, there’s plenty of credit to go around. Sale has been his usual excellent self in his first three starts. Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez have both been on fire at the plate.

In addition to those factors, Sale said after Tuesday’s game that Cora’s “calm, no panic” demeanor has also played a role in Boston’s early-season success.

Chris Sale said hot start shows how confident the Red Sox are playing. “I think (Cora) has a lot to do with that. Look at him in the dugout and he’s calm. No panic.”

— Jason Mastrodonato (@JMastrodonato) April 11, 2018

Cora, who was hired after the Red Sox parted ways with John Farrell, is getting his first opportunity as a full-time manager in the big leagues. He was questioned following his debut, a loss to the Rays in the season opener. Since then, the Red Sox have won nine consecutive games and, at least for now, the criticism of Cora has turned to praise.