Chris Sale continues dominance, makes Blue Jays look silly
Chris Sale didn’t get the win for the Red Sox Thursday, but he was absolutely filthy in helping Boston beat the division rival Blue Jays.
Chris Sale’s performance Thursday was exactly what the Boston Red Sox had in mind when they traded top prospects for the lefty ace this past offseason.
Sale dominated Blue Jay batters all afternoon, striking out 13 while allowing just four singles and one walk over eight innings. At times, Toronto batters would have been better off not bringing their bats to the plate.
Chris Sale is through the first inning and already doing Chris Sale things. This Slider to Jose Bautista is just unfair. pic.twitter.com/tX1VZEfEKN
— Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) April 20, 2017
#RedSox starter Chris Sale faced 29 batters today and threw 22 pitches for balls.
— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) April 20, 2017
Sale didn’t get the win because Boston closer Craig Kimbrel allowed a solo homer to Kendrys Morales in the ninth (and because pitcher wins are stupid). But the Red Sox won with a three-run 10th, ensuring Sale’s effort did not go to waste.
The lack of run support is nothing new for the four White Sox ace.
Chris Sale through 4 starts:
— Christopher Kamka (@ckamka) April 20, 2017
0.91 ERA, 29.2 IP, 15 Hits, 6 BB, 42 K.
Unfortunately, Red Sox have scored 4 runs while he has been in the game
today is the 25th time Chris Sale has posted a Game Score over 60 and not gotten the win since 2014, now alone atop the majors @baseball_ref pic.twitter.com/dwujEokvGu
— churchwaddle brumby (@hip_ennui) April 20, 2017
But despite a 1-1 record, Sale has been the best pitcher in the American League so far in 2017. In 29 2/3 innings, he has struck out 42 while allowing just 15 hits and six bases on balls. His ERA (0.91 ERA) and WHIP (0.71)/ are minuscule.
Next: MLB 2017: One X-factor for each team
Sale’s fantastic season has been especially welcome for the Red Sox considering fellow lefty starter David Price is out of action with no return date (and with the possibility of surgery looming).