Braves’ Chris Sale shares terrific reaction to tying MLB high in wins

The statistic is also eye-opening, considering Sale has suffered with numerous injury stints during his career, particularly with the Boston Red Sox, and 11 victories at this point in the season is a feat. According to ESPN, Sale even mocked the news by posing a hilarious question to the media after the game.

“Is that more wins than I’ve gotten in the last five years combined?” Following the Braves’ victory over the Giants, Sale reportedly smiled and asked the media.

To answer the 35-year-old’s question, it is not, although it does tie his last three seasons, really four because he missed 2020 due to Tommy John surgery. In another incredible feat, it is the most wins he has had in his career since 2018 with the Red Sox, when he finished with 12. If he does not sustain any injuries this season, he will surpass that mark by July.

Sale talks about representing the Braves in starting the All-Star game

Along with his 11-3 record, he has a 2.71 earned run average (sixth in the majors), 127 strikeouts (fourth in the majors), and a 0.91 WHIP (tied for first). There is little doubt he is garnering All-Star consideration, as Sale stated that he would love to be a part of it, but does not “want to be distracted.”

“We’ll cross that bridge if it gets here,” Sale said when asked about the potential of being chosen the National League’s starting pitcher. “I’d appreciate it, but again, we have games to play. “I do not want to be distracted.”

Brian Snitker, the manager of the Atlanta Braves, is pleased with Sale’s performance and the possibility of him becoming the starting national league pitcher for the All-Star Game. Atlanta took a risk on the Florida native to see if he could rehabilitate his career following health issues while with Boston, and it has so far paid off, with Snitker describing how “fun” it is to watch him throw, according to Sports Illustrated.

“It’s awesome; I’m happy for him,” Snitker said of Sale’s season performance and prospects to start the All-Star Game. “It’s just been really good; let me tell you, it’s been fun watching him compete pitch and how he does it. I am not sure it can get any better. But, honestly, he’s been strong all year and one of the most competitive individuals I’ve ever known.”

“It’s big when they cover innings,” Snitker said. “It’s huge for everyone involved, so seeing him out there today was great. He’s been running around and throwing the ball incredibly hard. I’m just happy we got some runs for him.”

Sale says other Braves stars joining him at All-Star game would be “fun”

Sale is unlikely to be the only Atlanta player to make the All-Star game, as other pitchers Reynaldo Lopez and Max Fried, as well as designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, have all performed admirably. Sale mentioned that he might be accompanied by his teammates for the festivities as he only has two more starts before the All-Star break.

“That would be a lot of fun,” Sale replied. “I’m not exactly sure how it’s all going to shake out, but the more teammates we can get there the more fun it would be.”

In terms of his overall performance against the Giants on Wednesday, he pitched six innings, striking out nine batters, walking two, allowing three hits, and only one earned run. According to David O’Brien of The Athletic, he is clearly pleased with his production, but he also emphasizes the run support he is receiving as well as the bullpen.

“No, it is good. “It’s fantastic,” Sale added. “I really appreciate it. I would like to stress out that in order to get there, you obviously need to have guys scoring runs. Our defense has been nearly faultless. And look at what happened tonight: the bullpen came in and the game was over in the seventh inning. So, all of those things help a lot, and I really appreciate that.”

Braves setting up Sale for further success

Despite the Braves’ success, their pitching staff is not totally healthy, although that could be remedied sooner rather than later, except from ace Spencer Strider’s season-ending injury. Snitker would mention how that aspect of the team is becoming “manageable now.”

“It’s very manageable now,” Snitker explained. “You have Mint back (pitcher A.J. Minter), and now you have three mid-inning, leverage, guys, and Iggy. When you have starters, you can mix and match effectively, covering the majority of the game.”

A potent offensive lineup that includes Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies, in addition to the aforementioned Ozuna and the injured Ronald Acuna Jr., can also help a player like Sale relax. One player who has been performing exceptionally well is 24-year-old outfielder Jared Kelenic, who has a.323 hitting average and five home runs since taking the leadoff spot on June 15.

“That guy’s been a sparkplug,” Sale said of Kelenic, per The Athletic. “There is no other way to express it. What he’s been able to accomplish is that as soon as he started playing every day and got reps, he went off. You put him in that leadoff place, and I don’t know the figures, but I don’t think there have been too many men in that spot since he started who have performed better than him.”

At any rate, the Braves will continue to produce, with a 47-37 record that ranks them second in the NL East behind the Philadelphia Phillies. Their next game is Thursday night, and they hope to win the rubber match and the series against the Giants.