Sale (5-1) earned the win over the Red Sox on Wednesday, hurling six shutout innings while allowing six hits and one walk. He struck out 10.
Sale allowed at least one hit in each of his first five innings of work but was consistently able to work his way through it without sustaining any damage. He logged just one 1-2-3 inning, which came in the sixth inning, while fanning a season-high 10 batters on the night. The veteran lefty has now logged quality starts in three of his last four outings and hasn't produced fewer than six strikeouts in any of his seven starts this season. He's also won each of his last four starts.
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Braves' Chris Sale: Fans nine in win over M's
Rotowire
Sale (4-1) picked up the win Wednesday in a 5-2 victory over the Mariners, allowing one run on six hits over five innings. He struck out nine without walking a batter.
The veteran lefty wasn't exactly efficient, needing 100 pitches to record 15 outs, but Sale generated an eye-popping 21 swinging strikes in another dominant performance. The nine Ks were a season high, and Sale has given up three runs or less in five of his six starts to begin his Atlanta tenure. He'll take a 3.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 42:7 K:BB through 36.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up for a home start next week against the former club, the Red Sox.
Sale (3-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk over seven innings in a 6-2 victory over the Guardians. He struck out six.
The veteran lefty has been healthy and dominant to kick off 2024, and he completely shut down the Cleveland offense after serving up a leadoff homer to Steven Kwan. Sale has worked seven-plus innings in three straight starts for the first time since June 2018, and he's allowed three runs or less in four of his five outings so far for Atlanta. Sale will take a 3.69 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33:7 K:BB through 31.2 innings into his next start, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in Seattle.
Sale (2-1) earned the win Friday versus Texas, surrendering three earned runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven batters across seven innings.
Sale got off to a poor start Friday by allowing a leadoff home run to Marcus Semien, but he was able to pull it together quickly and keep the Rangers relatively quiet while Atlanta's offense gave him a nice lead to work with. The 35-year-old southpaw has now reached seven innings in back-to-back starts, though his ERA remains at 4.38 through 24.2 innings. He is lined up to make his next start Wednesday against the Marlins.
Sale (1-1) absorbed the loss Saturday in Miami, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks over seven innings. He notched seven strikeouts.
Sale was outdueled by youngster Max Meyer but still managed to go seven frames for the first time since May of last season. The five runs he permitted more than doubled his season total, and his three walks were more than he had on the year coming into the night. Sale's next outing is slated to come at home against the defending champion Rangers.
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Braves' Chris Sale: Gets up to 96 pitches
Rotowire
Sale (1-0) picked up the win Sunday against Arizona, surrendering two runs on four hits and no walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings.
After throwing 83 pitches in his 2024 debut, Sale saw his pitch count rise to 96 on Sunday. However, the result was the same, as he lasted 5.1 innings with two runs allowed. As usual, the big question for Sale's fantasy value comes down to his durability -- he tossed 11.0 innings combined in 2021 and 2022 before rebounding with 102.2 innings across 20 starts in his last season with the Red Sox. For as long as he's healthy, fantasy managers should get some good performances from the talented veteran. While there's some rotational shakeup coming in the wake of Spencer Strider's (elbow) move to the 15-day IL, Sale's tentatively scheduled to face the Marlins in Miami next time out.
Braves' Chris Sale: Strikes out seven in no-decision
Rotowire
Sale did not factor into the decision Sunday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.
Sale looked like his typical self Sunday, throwing 83 pitches over 5.1 innings in his Atlanta debut. The 35-year-old appears to be fully healthy, as he averaged 94.9-mph on his fastball, up one full tick from his average velocity in 2023. He also had some extra juice on his infamous sidewinding slider, generating a 79.4-mph average velocity, up from 77.8-mph in 2023. The only blemish on the Atlanta lefty's afternoon came via a leadoff homer in the first inning surrendered to Kyle Schwarber. Sale's next start is slated to be against Arizona at home.
