Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale was excellent on Thursday, tossing 7 innings of two-run ball in a 3-2 extra innings loss to the New York Mets. Unfortunately for Sale, the Braves couldn't get much going offensively and he ended up taking a no decision. Still, the lefty was dominant again in this one, striking out nine while allowing just two hits and a walk. He has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year and is in the running for the Cy Young in what has been a tremendous bounce back for the 35-year-old. Sale is an elite option in fantasy.
The Atlanta Braves have pushed back left-hander Chris Sale's next start from Monday to Tuesday this week against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the road. Taking Sale's scheduled start on Monday for the series opener in Phoenix will be right-hander Bryce Elder, who was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. Fantasy managers can still keep Sale in their starting lineups for the week, although he may not be in line for a two-start week now. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw was named to his eighth All-Star squad this year, and his first since 2018, after going 11-3 with a 2.71 ERA (league-best 2.26 FIP) and league-best 0.91 WHIP with 127 strikeouts and only 19 walks in 99 2/3 innings over 16 starts in his first year in Atlanta. Sale faced the D-backs in his second start in 2024 on April 7 and allowed two earned runs while walking none and fanning six in 5 1/3 innings of work.
Chris Sale Hurls Quality Start, Collects Win Wednesday
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (11-3) hurled a quality start and picked up his 11th win Wednesday night, going six innings and allowing one run on three hits and two walks with nine strikeouts in a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Since getting knocked around by the Oakland A's for eight runs in four innings back on June 1, the southpaw has been nothing but brilliant. Five straight starts of two runs or less have lowered his season ERA to 2.71, putting him in the running with a trio of Phillies starting pitchers -- Ranger Suarez, Cristopher Sanchez, and Zack Wheeler -- to start on the mound for the National League All-Stars in the Midsummer Classic. Sale and his incredible 0.91 WHIP will head to the rubber against the Diamondbacks next Monday, looking to improve his chances of that All-Star starting nod.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale struck out 11 batters over seven innings of one-run ball in his strong performance against the hosting Chicago White Sox on Thursday afternoon, but he was left with a tough-luck loss despite a wonderful showing on the mound. The former White Sox ace dominated his former team on Thursday, but he was provided no run support to spoil the outing a bit. Sale has flourished during his first season in Atlanta, registering a 2.79 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a tidy 118:17 K:BB across 93 2/3 innings. The 35-year-old All-Star southpaw will take the ball again for the Braves in a favorable matchup at home against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale was stellar during Friday's start in the Bronx against the hosting New York Yankees, striking out eight and allowing just one run on one hit across five innings for his 10th win of the season. Staked to an early three-run lead, Sale gave up a lone hit, which was a fluky Jahmai Jones triple as left fielder Adam Duvall lost track of a fly ball, with three walks against a team he mostly struggled against back during his Boston Red Sox days. Well on his way his eighth career All-Star nod, the 35-year-old veteran southpaw has a scintillating 2.91 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 107:16 K:BB over 86 2/3 innings (14 starts) for the Braves during his debut season in Atlanta. Sale's next scheduled start comes in Wednesday's clash with the Cardinals in St. Louis.
Atlanta Braves starting pitchers Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez will get some extra rest as the club will start right-hander Hurston Waldrep for his big-league debut in Sunday's series finale with the Washington Nationals, even though the club has an off day on Monday. Sale made just 20 starts in the 2023 season after battling back from a series of injuries, while Lopez has been utilized as a starter this season after tossing 66 innings as a reliever a season ago. Prior to the 2024 campaign, Lopez had made just one start since the beginning of the 2022 season. Both hurlers have enjoyed very nice seasons, with Sale working to a 3.01 ERA alongside a dynamite 27.4% K-BB%, while Lopez has earned himself a sterling 1.85 ERA through 11 starts. The extra time off is an effort on the Braves' part to keep both pitchers healthy throughout the season while considering their limited innings count in recent seasons.
Chris Sale Endures Worst Outing Of Season Against A's
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale's 2024 comeback story had its worst chapter on Saturday when the Braves hurler was tagged for nine hits and eight earned runs over four innings in the 11-9 defeat to the Oakland A's. Sale came into the start with a 2.12 ERA but left with an ERA of 3.06 despite taking a no-decision. Sale struck out four and walked one but gave up homers to Miguel Andujar and Brent Rooker. Expect Sale, who is 8-1 with a still-stellar 0.95 WHIP with 82 strikeouts over 67 2/3 innings, to rebound when he faces the Nationals in his next start scheduled for Friday.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale was magnificent once again on Sunday, throwing seven innings of one-run ball in an 8-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Sale allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out eight. The veteran lefty improved to 8-1, lowering his ERA to 2.12 and his WHIP to 0.85. Those are Cy Young caliber numbers, and the guy was being drafted outside of the top 100. At this point, it seems that the only thing that can hold him back from being an ace for the rest of the season is an injury.
Chris Sale Logs Seventh Win, Third Straight Scoreless Start
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (7-1) completed seven scoreless innings Monday night, improving his record to 7-1 in a 3-0 win over the San Diego Padres. Sale recorded his fourth straight game of nine or more strikeouts to go with his third straight scoreless start. In May, the lefty slinger looked like his former All-Star self with a total record of 4-0, a 0.36 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts in 25 innings of work. All of that without recording a single walk. Look for Sale to continue his dominant May this weekend against a Pittsburgh Pirates team that has struggled mightily against southpaws this season.
Chris Sale Whiffs Nine Batters In Seven Scoreless Innings Tuesday
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (6-1) stymied hitters and picked up the win in Tuesday's 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The lanky left-hander improved his record to 6-1 on the season with nine strikeouts, two hits, and no walks in seven shutout innings. Sale has had a stellar May, only allowing one run in 18 innings pitched with a 0.83 WHIP and 28 strikeouts. This hot streak has lowered his season ERA to 2.54, which begs the question. Is vintage Chris Sale back? It's hard not to think so, with three straight games of nine or more strikeouts while allowing only one total run. His next start on Monday will be a challenge against a San Diego Padres club that ranks fifth in the league in batting this season.
