2014 Chicago White Sox Postseason Awards

White Sox Best Pitcher/Cy Young

Chris Sale (LHP)

Aug 30, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The second unanimous choice selection by the staff of Southside Showdown was easy as well, with Sale being by far the best pitcher on the White Sox roster.

Sale went 12-4 overall in ’14 in what amounted to 26 starts. His 2.17 ERA was second-best in the American League and third-best in the majors, trailing only Clayton Kershaw (1.77) and Felix Hernanadex (2.14).

Of those 26 starts, two were complete games, giving him a grand total of 174.0 innings pitched this season. He missed nearly one month of games due to a stint on the DL with a left flexor strain, but he came back just as strong and didn’t have what would be considered a “horrible start” all season.

Sale walked just 39 batters and finished with 208 strikeouts. His WHIP was 0.97, and he kept his career ERA (2010-present) to under 3.00 at 2.76 in parts of five seasons (four full).

In individual games, Sale struck out 10 or more batters five times this season, finishing with a season-high 13 against the Detroit Tigers in late August.

The left-handed ace (and ’14 All-Star selection) was “must-watch” baseball whenever he took the mound, and that in itself proves just how good and important the 6-6, 180-pound pitcher is to this franchise.