White Sox: Chris Sale Selected to Fifth Consecutive All-Star Game

Jun 21, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 21, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

White Sox ace selected to fifth consecutive All-Star game, most likely will start as he leads American League starters with 14 wins

The White Sox lone selection to the All-Star game could be the best starting pitcher in the American League. Chris Sale was selected to his fifth consecutive All-Star game on Tuesday. Sale has had one of the best starts to any of his seasons as he is 14-2 with a 2.92 ERA.

Although Sale was quite deserving of reaching the All-Star game, him being the only White Sox representative is quite frustration for many fans. Sale should have been joined by Jose Quintana, but Quintana will have to enjoy the All-Star break without playing in San Diego on July 12.

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Sale joins Frank Thomas (1993-1997), Nellie Fox (1951-1961), Luis Aparicio (1958-1962) and Billy Pierce (1955-1959) as the only White Sox players to be selected to five or more consecutive All-Star games. Sale’s first All-Star game was in 2012 when he became a starter with the White Sox.

The veteran pitcher has been dominant in three of his previous four All-Star appearances. Despite giving up one earned run in his one inning pitched during the 2014 All-Star game, Sale could have been considered for the All-Star game MVP for his scoreless two innings pitched at Citi Field in 2013. Sale was the winning pitcher of the 2013 All-Star game, but the MVP went to retiring closer Mariano Rivera.

Sale didn’t pitch in last year’s All-Star game, but with his next projected start being this Friday at home against the Atlanta Braves, Sale should have rest to start the All-Star game on July 12 for the American League. White Sox manager Robin Ventura has no problem with Sale starting, and was lobbying for it just before this past Monday’s game against the New York Yankees according the Chicago Tribune.

"“I would like to see (Sale) do whatever he wants to do. He’s earned the right to do it. Whether they ask him to do it is another thing. To be the guy who is asked to start is special."

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The White Sox won’t have any players in the Final Vote for the final roster spot for the All-Star game. There are chances for other White Sox players to become All-Stars if an injury arises, but for now Sale appears to be the only player going to San Diego. Sale could possibly bring some hardware back to Chicago if he replicates his performance from 2013.

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