Sale was historically dominant in his first nine starts. He won all nine with a 1.58 ERA, a 0.71 WHIP and a .163 batting average against. He was the first White Sox pitcher since Eddie Cicotte in 1919 to win his first nine starts and the first MLB Pitcher to do so since Brandon Webb in 2008. Only two other pitchers have won their first nine starts, Sal Maglie started 9-0 with the Giants in 1952 and Andy Hawkins 10-0 in 1985 with San Diego.
Sale’s start will give Chicago fans plenty to talk about. The National League lineup will have Cubs second basemen Ben Zobrist hitting leadoff and third baseman Kris Bryant third.