If you think Chris Sale feels like the most dominant pitcher in the American League, apparently Astros manager A.J. Hinch agrees.
Sale was named the American League starter in the All-Star Game for the third straight season on Monday, and for the second straight year, he'll be opposed by Washington's Max Scherzer.
"He's a complete pitcher," Scherzer told reporters in Washington. "One of the best in the game -- if not the best."
Sale (10-4, 2.23) leads the AL in ERA and strikeouts (188) while helping the Red Sox claim the best record in baseball. This is the lanky left-hander's seventh straight All-Star berth. Only Lefty Gomez (1933-35) and Robin Roberts (1953-55) have started three straight All-Star Games.
"Obviously I appreciate it," Sale told reporters. "This is a big honor. This hasn't happened very often and in a long time."
Scherzer (12-5, 2.41) is right there with him and leads the NL in strikeouts with 182.
This is the first time the same pitchers have started back-to-back All-Star games since New York's Red Ruffing and Cincinnati's Paul Derringer in 1939-40.
"Grip and rip" pic.twitter.com/cKX0hTxJLh
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) July 16, 2018
