Chris Sale's dominance has been overlooked

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Chris Sale's dominance has been overlooked

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated May 4, 2026 2:18 PM ET

37-year-old veteran starting pitcher Chris Sale's dominant performance this season has been overlooked, as the limelight has been placed more on stars like Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.

Across 56 games with the Atlanta Braves, he has a 30-9 record (.769), a 2.45 ERA, a 169 ERA+, a 2.50 FIP, a 1.02 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

These are elite numbers that show how he's performing as a high-floor ace with the organization in his 16th major league season. He's even been projected as an early NL Cy Young favorite.

Sale became the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach the milestone of 2,500 strikeouts by innings pitched on May 29, 2025. The Boston Red Sox certainly regret trading Sale back in 2023, with the way they have been performing this season (13-21 record). As well as losing Garrett Crochet to an elbow injury, things just continue to get worse for them.

Hottest Starting Pitchers over the Last 14 Days (Min. 15 PA) — Powered by Plane Points

1. Chris Sale
2. Nick Martinez
3. Tyler Glasnow
4. Shohei Ohtani
5. Cam Schlittler
6. Chase Burns
7. Jesús Luzardo
8. Jacob Misiorowski
9. Sean Burke
10. Zack Wheeler pic.twitter.com/2818eRUGD6
— The Statman (@the_statman1) May 4, 2026

Chris Sale's recent masterclass success and why he's been overshadowed

In his most recent performance on May 2 against the Colorado Rockies, Sale pitched seven dominant innings and recorded 11 strikeouts and only gave up one run.

His 2.14 ERA this season ranks eighth in MLB, his 6-1 record ranks him first in wins and his 0.90 WHIP ranks fifth in MLB. He's also held opponents to a .176 batting average.

At 37, he has illustrated how he's pitching like a young superstar ace and making a comeback following several injuries, including a broken wrist, Tommy John surgery, shoulder issues, etc.

Even though he's bounced back from his past injuries and remains in good health, there were doubts about his ability to remain consistent. He's also been overlooked, as there was likely more attention and discussion directed at how it was a lopsided trade for the Red Sox that the Braves won, rather than zoning in on how he's an elite pitcher.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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