Chris Sale finishes season with 200-plus strikeouts
Sep 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) tips his cap towards the outfield after third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Wednesday Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale has his usual “good stuff” against the Detroit Tigers, but ultimately he had a no-decision in his final start of ’14, but did gain his 200th plus strikeout of the season.
For the ’14 season, Sale finished with 208 strikeouts in 26 starts (174 innings).
Whitesox.com wrote the following about Sale:
"“(Sale) posted at least 200 strikeouts for a second straight season, finishing with 208 over 26 starts and 174 innings, making him the fourth White Sox pitcher to post 200-plus strikeouts in back-to-back seasons and first since Javier Vazquez in 2007-08.”"
On Wednesday Sale went six innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and three walks. He struck out 10.
With his ERA finishing at 2.17 for the season, he is basically guaranteed to have the best ERA in the AL, even with Felix Hernandez pitching on Sunday for the Seattle Mariners. Sale’s ERA is also second-best in all of baseball.
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Sale’s WHIP is 0.97 for ’14, and eight times this season Sale had a 10-plus strikeout game. His season-high was 13 strikeouts was on Aug. 30 vs. the Tigers in seven innings.
I can’t express just how enjoyable it was watching Sale pitch this season. Even with his stint on the disabled list in May with the left flexor strain, his performance, an All-Star performance at that, was just so much fun to watch in what was a rebuilding type of season for the Good Guys.
Sale is the most exciting player to watch on the White Sox every five days because he gives the team a real chance to win each time he takes the mound.
He helps give the White Sox hope, and entering the ’15 season he’ll once again lead the pitching rotation of the White Sox, and hopefully next year he’ll have better players to lead.
What was your favorite Sale moment of the ’14 season?