Chris Sale
Breakdown
Performance
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April 7, 2026
Stumbles in first loss
Sale (2-1) took the loss against the Angels on Monday, completing four innings and allowing six runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven batters.
Analysis
Sale was staked to an early lead on a first-inning Drake Baldwin solo homer, but he quickly gave that back when Zach Neto led off the bottom of the frame with a solo shot of his own. Neither team scored again until the fourth, when the Angels put up three more runs. Sale was his own worst enemy in that frame, as he walked two batters and hit two others with pitches. The left-hander was allowed to return for the fifth, but he gave up a single followed by a Jo Adell two-run blast before being pulled. Sale did manage to rack up seven punchouts during his time in the game, but his ERA jumped from 0.75 to 3.94 as a result of the flood of runs against him.
April 5, 2026
In clear to start Monday
Atlanta lists Sale (illness) as its probable starter for Monday's game against the Angels in Anaheim.
Analysis
Sale fought through a stomach bug during his most recent start this past Wednesday against the Athletics, but it won't be anything that prevents him from making his next turn through the rotation on normal rest. The 2024 NL Cy Young Award winner has breezed through his first two outings of the season, claiming a pair of wins while allowing just one earned run and posting a 9:3 K:BB across 12 innings.
April 3, 2026
Battling illness
Sale (illness) may not be in attendance for Thursday night's contest against the Diamondbacks, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Analysis
Sale was able to battle through the illness on his way to a victory Wednesday against the A's, but manager Walt Weiss stated Thursday that the southpaw is still pretty sick and may have to watch the team's series opener in Arizona from his hotel room. It's unclear if Sale is in any danger of missing his next expected turn in the rotation Monday on the road against the Angels, but it's something to keep an eye on in the coming days.
April 1, 2026
Sharp again in second win
Sale (2-0) allowed one run on one hit over six innings Wednesday to record the win as Atlanta downed the A's 5-1. He struck out three without walking a batter.
Analysis
Shea Langeliers' solo shot in the fourth inning ended up being the only runner to reach base against Sale over 79 pitches (57 strikes). The veteran southpaw has been brilliant to begin the season, delivering two straight quality starts with a 0.75 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and 9:3 K:BB in 12 innings. Sale will look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the Angels.