Chris Sale, a veteran left-handed pitcher, has been a dominant force in baseball for nearly a decade. One of his standout moments came in 2018 when he closed out the World Series for the Red Sox by striking out the last three Dodgers he faced. Now, at 35 years old, Sale continues to cherish the support of fans, as he experienced during his home debut with the Braves, helping them secure a 5-2 win over the D-backs.
Despite facing setbacks due to injuries in recent years, Sale’s performance during the weekend series against the D-backs highlighted his potential impact with the Braves. His successful home debut and the team’s overall performance resulted in a three-game sweep of the reigning National League champions, showcasing the significance of his acquisition for the Braves.
Sale’s history of excellence, including multiple top-six finishes in Cy Young Award voting, underscores his pedigree as a top-tier pitcher. Although injuries limited his playing time over the past few seasons, the Braves’ decision to acquire him, with the Red Sox essentially covering his salary, has drawn praise for Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos.
Despite doubts from some quarters of the baseball world, Sale demonstrated his capabilities on the mound by delivering a strong performance against the D-backs, allowing only two runs and four hits over 5 1/3 innings. Manager Brian Snitker commended Sale’s composure and praised catcher Chadwick Tromp for his role in managing Sale’s pitching strategy.
Tromp’s involvement behind the plate has been crucial in Sale’s recent outings, particularly in the increased use of his slider, which accounted for half of his pitches against the D-backs. Sale credited Tromp for helping him refine his slider throughout the game, emphasizing the importance of their partnership in executing pitches effectively.
Sale’s approach to pitching, which involves trusting his catcher’s guidance without hesitation, reflects his confidence in his abilities and his respect for the collaborative aspect of the game. Despite his extensive experience, Sale maintains a humble attitude, drawing humorous comparisons to his early days in baseball when he worked with notable figures like A.J. Pierzynski.
As Sale continues to showcase his talent and adaptability on the mound, his success with the Braves could prompt further reflection from other teams that may have overlooked him. With his health and performance on an upward trajectory, Sale’s presence in the Braves’ lineup could prove to be a game-changer for the team’s aspirations in the upcoming season.
