Chris Sale‘s second turn through the rotation undoubtedly went better than his horrific season debut but the Boston Red Sox ace still doesn’t seem like himself.
Vintage Sale is a dominant force with an upper-90’s fastball, filthy slider, and historically great strikeout rate. The lanky lefty who took the mound in Oakland last night was a different pitcher. The quick pace that he’s renowned for was slowed to a more deliberate, methodical approach. Sale was no longer unleashing his best stuff and daring hitters to make contact, he was pitching to contact and letting his defense take care of the rest.