Chris Sale furthers historic nature of 2026 season in Braves' win

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Chris Sale furthers historic nature of 2026 season in Braves' win

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 29, 2026 10:50 PM ET

Avoiding being swept, the Atlanta Braves picked up a 1-0 win over the rival New York Mets on Wednesday night.

Chris Sale tossed a gem in Atlanta's shutout victory as he continues to fend off Father Time.

Sale's win helped to make his 2026 season even more rare and historic for someone his age. He gave up only two hits while recording nine strikeouts in six innings of work.

Chris Sale's dominance at 37 has made his 2026 season historic

Having earned the win in three straight starts, Sale is now 12-6 on the year. But even more impressive than being able to still lead his team to wins at 37, Sale has a 2.08 ERA through 20 starts on the year.

His ERA is the third lowest by any pitcher 37 or older since 1950, trailing only Roger Clemens' 1.40 in 2005 and Justin Verlander's 1.73 from 2022.

Chris Sale made his first start of the season 3 days before his 37th birthday

He has a 2.08 ERA

That’s the 3rd-lowest by a pitcher that old thru 20 starts in a season since 1950, behind only:

2005 Roger Clemens: 1.40
2022 Justin Verlander: 1.73 https://t.co/dp0HqcUvUI
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 30, 2026

In addition to posting shutouts and keeping runs off the scoreboard, Sale also has 143 strikeouts to only 26 walks and a 1.02 WHIP in exactly 117.0 innings pictured.

Chris Sale keeps adding to his eventual Hall of Fame candidacy

A 10-time All-Star and the 2024 National League Cy Young Award winner, Sale's late-career prowess is doing wonder to help pad his Hall of Fame candidacy. In 16 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox and Braves, Sale owns a 157-94 record, a 2.96 ERA, 2,722 strikeouts, which have come thanks to surpassing 200 strikeouts in eight seasons and reaching 300 once, a 1.04 WHIP and even 12 saves from his early-career time as a reliever in 413 appearances and 332 total starts.

With no sign of Sale slowing down any time soon, the Braves are 63-45 and hold a significant lead at the top of the National League East. Sale will now hope he will have an opportunity to pitch in the playoffs for the first time since 2021 and pursue his second World Series ring — he was on Boston's 2018 championship team.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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