BOSTON -- Chris Sale has been so over-the-top dominant during his first season with the Boston Red Sox that he's evoked comparisons to peak Pedro Martinez. From the overpowering fastball and the collection of double-digit strikeout games to the unmistakable swagger on the mound, it all looks so familiar.
And then there's this: Like Martinez before him, Sale has trouble beating the New York Yankees.
It's entirely counterintuitive. Entering Saturday night's game at Fenway Park, Sale had a 1.18 ERA in 13 career games (10 starts) against the Yankees. In three previous starts against them this season, he had given up only three earned runs and struck out 35 batters in 22u2154 innings.