After another season marred by injury, Chris Sale finished his 2023 campaign with a trio of strong starts for the Boston Red Sox.

Over his final three starts, Sale posted a 1.13 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP to go with a .154 opponents batting average.

When the 2024 season starts six months to the day of Sale’s final outing of this season, Alex Cora expects the left-hander to be his Opening Day starter for the first time since 2019.

"That's the goal -- for Chris to have that start," Cora said. "I don't know what the future holds. We know where he's at contract-wise, but I think he is in the right frame of mind as far as the offseason, and what he wants to do."

Sale, 34, made 20 starts for Boston this season after taking the mound just 11 times between 2020-22.

"It means a lot," Sale said of Cora's confidence. "I appreciate that. It gives me something to look forward to other than just being healthy. Not only am I trying to be healthy, I'm trying to build on things. I'm not trying to get to zero by Spring Training.

"I'm trying to build something up. It definitely gives me something to chase this offseason, which is good."