Sept. 14 – Chris Sale will try to extend his already strong National League Cy Young Award lead when the host Atlanta Braves continue a four-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night.
From a broader perspective, Sale (16-3, 2.38 ERA) leads the NL in wins and ERA, ranks second in strikeouts this season (213), and is undefeated in his last 12 starts.
As it stands, the eight-time All-Star has gone scoreless in 13 of his 16 innings this month.
“I’m amazed at what he’s doing,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Sure, impressive numbers, but Sale hasn’t been very good against the Dodgers in his career. He’s 0-1 with a 10.13 ERA in three career games (two starts) against them.
Sale hopes to change that narrative and lead the Warriors (80-67) to a second straight win to start the series.
Atlanta got off to a fast start with a 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Friday’s opener, following the New York Mets for the final wild-card spot in the National League. The Mets (81-66) beat the Philadelphia Phillies 11-3 to stay one game ahead.
“We’re in the zone watching the scoreboard,” Snitker said. “But we focus on what we can do. We can only do what we can do.”
Gio Urshela and Jorge Soler each hit two-run homers in the second inning, highlighting Friday’s power display. Atlanta’s point total in the series opener matched its point total when it was beaten by Los Angeles when the teams met May 3-5.
Atlanta’s Whit Merrifield returned Friday after missing a week with a left foot injury and two concussions.
The Dodgers, who lead the National League West, have lost three of their last four games.
Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in the series opener. The two-time American League MVP is still stuck at 47 home runs and 48 stolen bases as he attempts to become the first player in major league history to hit at least 50 in each category in a season.
Tommy Edman had an RBI single on Friday, extending his hitting streak to six games. During that period, he went 10 for 23 with four home runs, nine RBIs and five runs scored.
Like Sale, Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty (12-6, 2.86 ERA) enters Saturday’s start after two strong performances this month. Flaherty allowed just one run and struck out 13 in 13 innings and earned two wins.
“He adds stability and consistency,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said after he struck out four in 7 1/3 scoreless innings in a 4-0 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. “It was a pitching clinic (Sunday).”
Flaherty, 28, has a 5-1 record and a 2.61 ERA in seven starts since being acquired by the Detroit Tigers.
He has a 1–1 record and a 4.32 ERA in three career starts against the Braves (all starts).
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