Chris Sale's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale threw on a back field on Wednesday instead of the Grapefruit League game versus the Toronto Blue Jays. It serves as a likely indication that Sale is lined up to start Atlanta's third outing of the regular season on March 31 on the road against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, with aces Spencer Strider and Max Fried setting up to take the ball in the first and second contests of the year respectively. The Braves acquired the 34-year-old Sale, MLB's all-time leader with 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings, from the Boston Red Sox back on Dec. 30 in exchange for former top infielder prospect Vaughn Grissom to bolster their starting rotation. The veteran southpaw posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 17:4 K:BB over 11 2/3 frames this spring and could be a value at his 129 NFBC ADP with a better defense behind him plus a more favorable home ballpark factor in 2024.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale was looking excellent on the mound until he faced off against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. The left-hander was smacked around for three runs in 3 2/3 innings during Saturday's loss. Sale didn't have his best stuff as he allowed four hits and walked one batter during his rough outing. Despite the bad outing, fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned about Sale. He still holds a 3.24 ERA with 11 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP over 8 1/3 innings this spring.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale has looked sharp through two starts with his new team this spring. The left-hander has struck out nine batters with only three hits allowed in 5 2/3 innings of work. It's a small sample size but it's great to see Sale looking like himself again. The seven-time All-Star was traded to Atlanta from the Boston Red Sox in December. Sale has struggled to stay healthy over the last few seasons. He made 20 starts with the Red Sox last season but didn't look like himself. Fantasy managers shouldn't get too eager but possibly the old Sale is back with his new team.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale made a great first impression with his new team in Tuesday's 13-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates. The 34-year-old pitched two scoreless innings with no hits or walks and four strikeouts. His velocity was up over the outing, with his fastball touching 97.1 MPH. This is encouraging for fantasy managers, as injuries have prevented Sale from turning in a strong, complete season for some time. Sale managed 20 starts and 102 2/3 innings pitched with the Red Sox last season, posting a 4.30 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 29.4% strikeout rate. The signs are still there of a fantasy contributor, and a strong spring would help convince fantasy managers further.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale told reporters on Saturday that this is his first offseason since 2019 that he hasn't had limitations. The veteran southpaw has dealt with a ton of injuries over the last four seasons, including Tommy John surgery in 2020 and a nagging shoulder issue in 2023. As a result, he's pitched just 151 total innings since 2019. It's very encouraging to hear he hasn't had any type of injury or setback so far this offseason. He looked sharp in spurts of the 2023 season with Boston, including a strong finish to the season in which he allowed two or fewer runs in six of his last nine starts. That was enough for the Braves to give Sale a two-year, $38 million extension after trading for him in late December. Sale, who runs 35 on March 30, will always carry injury risk but he can still be effective when healthy.