Chris Sale had yet another masterful performance Monday afternoon when the Atlanta Braves took on the San Diego Padres at Truist Park. Sale went 7 innings while giving up zero runs and striking out nine hitters. That's 20 consecutive innings without giving up a run.
While this is not even half the MLB record (59 by Orel Hershiser in 1988) for consecutive innings without allowing a run, it's still very impressive. But there are still a lot of naysayers out there on Sale. Why? Health?
Sale did indeed have surgery on his left elbow several years ago, then after that he had some minor injuries that simply derailed his rehabilitation. Before the elbow procedure, Sale was a phenomenal pitcher. So why are many people so surprised that he is again a phenomenal pitcher?
We are now 44 games into the 2024 season, and it's safe to say that Sale is having a great start of the season. Andy Bunker and Randy McMichael talk about the early "sample size" on Sale in a Braves uniform. If it is big enough to judge Sale's season, then it has to be big enough to judge the start of the season of Ronald Acuña Jr.
Right?