Fansided

5 struggling MLB stars that could turn it around soon

By Connor Muldowney

May 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) runs from second to third base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) runs from second to third base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
May 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. player. 128. . SP. Chicago White Sox. Chris Sale

Besides being one of the lankiest pitchers in the league, looking like a string bean on the mount, Chris Sale is one of the more dangerous starters out there. The Chicago White Sox star has been a fixture atop the league’s pitching leaders for the past few years and there didn’t seem to be anything slowing him down.

However, a foot fracture during the offseason, happening while loading and unloading his truck, led him to miss the first week of the year, not making his first start of the 2015 season until April 12.

While he didn’t miss much time due to the fracture and recovery, he seems to still be pitching cautiously, not putting too much weight on his injured foot. The 26-year-old from Lakeland, Florida, has begun the year very un-Sale-like, recording a 2-1 record with a 5.93 ERA and 26 strikeouts in just 27.1 innings pitched.

Sale has yet to pitch past the seventh inning this year and has given up 13 earned runs in the past two starts. He began the year OK, but has since dipped into the danger zone as his ERA is approaching the dreaded six-range.

There’s no doubt he will regain his form and get back to posting ERAs close to 2.00 instead of 6.00 soon enough.

Next: 1. Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates

Home/MLB