Atlanta’s veteran left‑hander Chris Sale delivered a masterful performance Thursday night, guiding the Braves to a 1‑0 shutout over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 37‑year‑old struck out 11 batters in a five‑hit effort and, for the first time since 2018, touched 100 mph on a pitch. The win marked Sale’s first complete game since 2019 and further lowered his earned‑run average to an impressive 2.06.
Elite Numbers in a Competitive Cy Young Race
Sale’s ERA now trails only Jacob Misiorowski’s 1.73, positioning the Braves’ ace as a serious contender for the National League Cy Young Award. He already has a strong chance to finish in the top five of the voting, a feat he achieved in 2024 when he captured the award in his inaugural season with Atlanta.
Last season Sale posted a 7‑5 record with a 2.58 ERA across 21 starts. This year he is on pace to finish with an ERA under 2.20 for the third time as a starter—a benchmark he previously reached in 2014 with the Chicago White Sox and in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox.
From Tommy John to Hall of Fame Talk
Sale’s career has been a story of resilience. After a promising stretch from 2012‑2018 that saw him finish in the top six of the Cy Young vote each year, a poor 2019 season and subsequent Tommy John surgery cast doubt on his future. The Braves acquired him from Boston in a trade that sent promising shortstop Vaughn Grissom to the Red Sox, and the move has paid dividends.
Since joining Atlanta, Sale has reclaimed elite status, culminating in his 2024 Cy Young win (18‑3, 2.38 ERA). His career wins‑above‑replacement total now mirrors that of Hall of Famer CC Sabathia, who was elected on the first ballot. If Sale can continue pitching into his 40s, his Hall of Fame résumé could become as compelling as those of Justin Verlander and Max Schwarzer.
Braves’ Season Outlook
The Braves remain the only unbeaten team in the league this week, posting a 6‑0 record and extending their NL East lead to five games. Atlanta’s recent success includes a walk‑off single by Matt Olson against Colorado and a clutch pinch‑hit walk‑off by Ha‑Seong Kim in the series finale against the Dodgers.
Sale is under contract for the 2027 season, with a team option for 2028, ensuring that Atlanta’s rotation will retain a proven ace for years to come.
Trivia and Other Highlights
Sale’s only second‑place finish in the Cy Young voting came in 2017, when he was bested by Corey Kluber. Meanwhile, National League MVP chatter centers on Cubs outfielder Pete Crow‑Armstrong, who has already hit 38 homers this season, just two shy of league leader Kyle Schwarber.
In other league news, the Cincinnati Reds staged a dramatic comeback against San Francisco, scoring seven runs in the ninth inning to win 10‑9, highlighted by a grand slam from Eugenio Suárez.
Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.
