Atlanta Braves Flamethrower Makes Baseball History During Epic Run

The Atlanta Braves split a doubleheader with the San Diego Padres on Monday in Atlanta. After losing the first game, 6-5, in dramatic fashion, Atlanta won the second game 3-0 behind the left arm of Chris Sale.

Once again, Sale dominated, going 7.0 innings and only five hits and no runs. He walked none and struck out nine, bringing his season record to 7-1 and lowering his ERA to 2.22.

Frequently injured since the 2019 season, there are clear questions about Sale’s durability, but when he is on the field his talent is undeniable and he certainly appears to have rediscovered the form that made him a perennial Cy Young with the Chicago White Sox. and early in his tenure with the Boston Red Sox.

Plus, Sale is on a roll like we’ve barely seen in baseball history, according to @JayHayKid of the “Baseball is Dead” podcast and Underdog Fantasy.

Chris Sale is on an epic heater.

He is the 3rd pitcher *ever* to have a 5 start duration with 43+ K, 2 BB or less and no more than 2 runs allowed.

The others both occurred in 2021: Jacob deGrom (May 25-June 16) and Max Scherzer (August 21-September 12).

Given the prevalence of strikeouts in modern baseball, it’s not surprising that all of this has happened in the last four years, but it’s still amazing to see what Sale is doing.

Now 35 years old and in his 14th major league season, Sale has a lifetime record of 127-81 with a 3.08 ERA. He has struck out 70 batters in just 56.2 innings this year.

Continue to follow our Fastball coverage on FanNation on social media by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter @FastballFN.