Braves’ Chris Sale gets big support from Aaron Judge

Chris Sale had a few up-and-down years with the Boston Red Sox, but he’s back as an All-Star pitcher with the Atlanta Braves in 2024. Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ star outfielder who has faced off against Sale many times over the years, shared his thoughts on the Braves’ starting pitcher’s 2024 comeback season.

“Chris Sale throws the ball, it feels like he’s throwing it from where the second baseman is standing,” Judge recently said, via Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He can get the fastball to 95, 97, 98 miles per hour. He has a great feel on all of his throws. He’s a guy who doesn’t back down. He comes right at you.”

Judge is 5-27 with one home run, one RBI and three walks against Sale in his career, according to StatMuse. Sale has struck out Judge 17 times. Judge admitted he is “happy” to see Sale in a different division.

“It was fun, even when he was in Boston, to face him year after year,” Judge continued. “You look forward to those days. You don’t like facing him because he’s one of the best in the game, but you like facing the best. I’m definitely glad to have him out of the AL East and having to see him every other week. But it’s still fun to see him with the Braves, man. He’s a special pitcher.”

Chris Sale is having an impressive comeback season after being traded between Braves and Red Sox

There is no doubt that Sale benefited from his trade from the Red Sox to the Braves. He made a real career comeback in Atlanta during the 2024 season.

Sale was voted to his eighth MLB All-Star Game in 2024 and his first since 2018. He did not participate in the game because he was pitching the Sunday before the Midsummer Classic. Regardless, it is clear that Sale is back to pitching at a high level.

He currently leads the league with a 2.70 ERA. His 13 wins are also the most in the league. Sale has struck out 140 batters in 110 innings pitched. When Sale is at his best, he is nearly unhittable.

There was uncertainty when the Braves acquired Sale from the Red Sox last offseason. He had been battling various injuries in Boston, and any pitcher in his mid-30s comes with risks.

Sale rewarded the Braves’ faith and was a key factor in the starting pitching lineup. The fact that Aaron Judge, arguably the best hitter in MLB, had only positive things to say about Sale is a testament to the veteran pitcher’s outstanding abilities on the mound.

The Braves currently sit in second place in the National League East. Atlanta is eight games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies. Winning the division will be a challenge, but nothing is impossible. Not considering the Braves is a risky proposition.

The Braves hope to at least secure a spot in the NL Wild Card. Sales’ performance down the stretch will be crucial to how the club ultimately fares. Atlanta will undoubtedly be a team to watch closely in the second half of the season.