Chris Sale delivers complete-game shutout in Braves' sweep

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

Chris Sale delivers complete-game shutout in Braves' sweep of Dodgers

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 27, 2026 10:22 PM ET

Even at 37 years old, Chris Sale is turning in one of the best seasons of his career.

The Atlanta Braves ace took the mound Thursday night looking to help his team complete a three-game sweep of the back-to-back World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

With a bit of a short and beat up bullpen, Sale and the Braves knew he'd need to provide a quality and also lengthy start. Sale provided both plenty of quality and length in what may have been his best start of the season.

Chris Sale tosses a complete game shutout

On a night when his team needed it, Sale tossed a 109-pitch, complete game shutout in Atlanta's 1-0 win over Los Angeles and helped secure a series sweep.

The 109 pitches were the most Sale has thrown in a start this season and his most in any start since he threw 116 in June of last season. Sale allowed just five hits, didn't walk a batter and struck out 11, tying his season high.

Additionally, Sale threw his two hardest fastballs in six seasons, and the complete game shutout was his first since 2019.

Chris Sale hit 100.1 mph with this pitch while striking out Shohei Ohtani in the third. This is the first time he's had a triple-digit radar reading since July 6, 2018. Highest recorded velo of his career was 101 mph on Aug. 21, 2010. pic.twitter.com/n6gFQEnIn8
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) August 27, 2026

COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT FOR CHRIS SALE pic.twitter.com/e0knrAp8GD
— MLB (@MLB) August 28, 2026

Chris Sale would absolutely have a case for NL Cy Young in any other year

All the talk surrounding the NL Cy Young Award this season has rightfully revolved around Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski. Sale, though, has been nearly as dominant and would likely have a case to win the award if not for Misiorowski's continued dominance.

Sale is second in the NL behind Misiorowski in nearly every pitching statistic and would likely need Misiorowski to have several horrendous outings down the stretch to secure the award.

Regardless, though, no team will want to face Sale in Game 1 of a playoff series at Truist Park, a ballpark he's posted a 1.45 ERA this season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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