Atlanta Braves Top Pitcher Breaks MLB Record, Intensifies Red Sox Regret Over Trade
Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale made history during a 13-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, further emphasizing the Boston Red Sox’s potential regret in trading the eight-time All-Star.
While Sale’s outing wasn’t dominant (5 innings, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 6 strikeouts, 2 walks), it did allow him to break a significant record. At 35, Sale became the first pitcher to allow two or fewer earned runs in 18 consecutive starts, surpassing Felix Hernandez (2014) and Walter Johnson (1919), as noted by Stathead.
Though Ryne Stanek of the Tampa Bay Rays accomplished a similar feat in 2019 with 19 starts allowing two or fewer earned runs, he was primarily used as an opener, pitching no more than two innings in each appearance.
Sale is now a clear favorite for the National League Cy Young award. With Thursday’s game, he earned his 18th win of the season—leading the league—and is first in ERA (2.38) and strikeouts (225).
On the other hand, the Red Sox pitching staff has struggled somewhat, recording the seventh-highest ERA in the American League (4.11). Despite this, Boston’s chief baseball officer, Craig Breslow, expressed no regrets over trading Sale to Atlanta, even as the Braves took on his $17 million salary after the December 2023 trade.
During an appearance on “The Greg Hill Show” on Thursday, Breslow acknowledged that any team would benefit from having Sale in their rotation but stood by the decision Boston made.
“I still believe this trade can only be fairly judged in the future,” Breslow said. “It stings seeing Chris Sale perform so well for another team, but we always knew his talent was undeniable. These outcomes are part of the risk you take when making trades.”
Whether Breslow’s decision will pay off depends on Vaughn Grissom, the 23-year-old infielder Boston acquired in exchange for Sale. However, Grissom has yet to meet expectations.
Grissom struggled at the start of his Red Sox career, hitting just .148/.207/.161 with three RBIs in 23 games before suffering a hamstring injury. After his recovery, he was sent to Triple-A Worcester, where he posted a .265/.391/.381 line with six home runs and 34 RBIs over 54 games.
