Braves’ Chris Sale is brutally honest about the 2024 All-Star season

Chris Sale has experienced many ups and downs with the Boston Red Sox in recent years, but his first season with the Atlanta Braves has been successful so far.

Sale was voted into the MLB All-Star Game based on his outstanding first half. However, the Braves pitcher will not pitch in the game as he is scheduled to pitch for the Braves on Sunday. On Saturday, it was announced that Sale will be replaced by Cristopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Nevertheless, it was an excellent season for Sale. Sale posted a 2.74 ERA in 105 innings. He also had 136 strikeouts.

“Yeah, it’s special,” Sale said of his first All-Star selection since 2018, via FOX Sports. “I just appreciate it, you know. There are times when you think something like this couldn’t happen again. But to do it with a new team that put a lot of faith in me … I appreciate it. I’m looking forward to going there with my family and enjoying the game.”

Chris Sales Performance

Sale leads the MLB with 12 wins, along with a 2.74 ERA. It was a great comeback season for Sale, who has been limited by injuries over the past few seasons. He was excellent for the Chicago White Sox early in his career and pitched well after initially being traded to the Red Sox. But again, injuries limited him and he didn’t always look like an ace on the mound.

Sale has clearly turned things around with the Braves, however. He looks like a potential candidate for the National League Cy Young Award. The Braves will need Sale to continue to play at a high level.

Atlanta has dominated the NL East in recent years, but the Phillies have taken a step forward in 2024. Winning the division will be difficult, but the Braves are still confident.

Braves are confident about their squad despite the current league table situation

Atlanta should at least be able to secure an NL Wild Card spot. Right now, however, they are nine games behind the Phillies in the NL East. Philadelphia has been nothing short of stellar up to this point in 2024.

“Just hang in there,” Sale said of what the Braves need to do to compete for the championship. “Hang in there, stay on par. Just hang in there. At the end of the day, it’s about always putting everything you have on the field. Part of that is getting going at the right time. You’re going to get to a period of the season where you’re not playing well. You’re going to get to a period of the season where you just feel like you can never lose again. You just have to stay competitive and stick together.”

The Braves are always a dangerous playoff team. As long as they make the postseason, anything can happen. If Chris Sale continues to throw at an All-Star level, Atlanta will be especially exciting this October.