Last year, the Boston Red Sox placed Chris Sale on the 60-day injured list after a shoulder blade injury. He finished the season with a 6-5 record and a 4.30 ERA in 20 starts. Fast forward to 2024, and he has matched his 2023 win total.
In true Chris Sale fashion, he earned his sixth victory dominantly, giving up only two hits and nine strikeouts in seven innings. Of the 92 pitches he threw, 66 were strikes. Aaron Bummer and Jackson Stephens completed what Sale started, leading to a 7-0 victory for the Atlanta Braves over the Chicago Cubs.
That victory gives the Braves six of their last seven games. Defense is the key to those victories, as they've surrendered only five runs in those six wins. Meanwhile, Sale surrendered a solitary earned run while striking out 28 batters in his last three games. His 0.50 ERA during that stretch improved his season totals to 2.54. He has 61 strikeouts and a 0.89 WHIP in 49.2 innings.
Chris Sale's last three turns through the rotation:
— MLB (@MLB) May 15, 2024
18 IP, 28 K, 1 ER (0.50 ERA) pic.twitter.com/ARCtRaUi86
As for Atlanta's scoring, Matt Olson led the way with two hits, one run, and four RBIs against the Cubs. Ozzie Albies has two runs and two hits for the Braves, who are staying on pace with the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League East lead.
The Braves will aim for a series sweep against the Cubs on May 15 at 7:20 p.m. Eastern Time.
-Lance Fernandez