Resurgent Chris Sale causes a stir in the Atlanta Braves’ record books in a dominant first half

The Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 6-3 on Sunday afternoon and went into the All-Star break with momentum.

The Braves are currently 53-42 and in second place in the National League East. The Padres are currently 50-49 and remain in position to clinch a wild card spot in the National League.

Veteran left-hander Chris Sale continued his great first half of the season with a win on Sunday. He pitched 5.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits and striking out four times to go 13-3 on the season with a 2.70 ERA.

Sale, who was traded to the Braves last season, was a godsend for Atlanta, which is trying to cope with the loss of top prospect Spencer Strider. Sale was injured for most of the 2020-2023 season with the Boston Red Sox, but now that he’s healthy again, he’s looking like the Cy Young candidate he was for so many years. He was also named an All-Star this season, but will not pitch in the game.

According to @StatsCentre, his season also put him in the Braves history books:

(Related) Fewest games since the start of the season in which a pitcher reached 140 strikeouts – @Braves franchise history:
16 – Spence Strider (2023)
17 – Smoltz (1996)
18- Sale (2024 via his 4th of 4 Ks on Sunday against SDP)
19 – Javier Vazquez (2009)
20 – Smoltz (1995)
21 – Greg Maddux (1995)

The Braves have an All-Star break until Friday. They return with a weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

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