The Comeback Season for Chris Sale
The past couple of seasons for starting pitcher Chris Sale haven’t been as memorable as they should have been for the seven-time all-star. After the Boston Red Sox traded Sale and cash considerations to the Atlanta Braves during the offseason, many speculated that the 35-year-old starting pitcher would not be the same as when he helped Boston win it all back in 2018. However, Sale has started the season at 6-1 through eight starts, and through almost two months of action, the two-time American League strikeout leader has certainly turned his career around for the better, and perhaps be named Comeback Player of the Year. He’s certainly back in his old form with an elite burst of confidence that has propelled the Braves to a 26-16 record.
Through almost 50 innings on the mound this season, Sale has recorded a 2.54 ERA with 61 strikeouts. The 35-year-old starting pitcher has put up 37 strikeouts with his slider, which is tied for the third most amount of strikeouts of any pitch in the Majors this season. His slider is tied as the third most valuable pitch in the MLB behind Shota Imananga’s and Carlos Rodon’s four-seam fastball. Sale’s slider has a 37 percent chase rate, which is second in the league behind Nick Martinez. The former White and Red Sox is having very similar stats this season to his 2018 campaign when he was an instrumental part in helping the Red Sox win it all. Today, he will go on the mound against a San Diego Padres team that has been looking to prove all the doubters wrong this season. If Sale can notch up a win, that would be huge not only in part of Sale’s confidence but for the entire Braves organization as they trail the 34-14 Philadelphia Phillies by five games.
With Spencer Strider gone for the season, the Braves needed someone within their pitching rotation to step up. Sale has done a great job holding this Atlanta team together especially when he allowed just two hits during a 7-0 shutout against the Chicago Cubs. If the seven-time all-star can continue his dominance this season, and bring the Braces to the playoffs, there’s a great possibility Sale could get a few votes for the National League Cy Young Award. It will be interesting if Atlanta can float around this season with Sale comfortably storming to the mound.
