The Atlanta Braves won their second straight series to open the 2026 MLB season, thanks in large part to dominant performances from Chris Sale in each one. Sale started Opening Day for Atlanta and tossed six scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals.
He then took the ball again on Wednesday for the Braves series finale against the Athletics and was dominant once more, making just one mistake on a home run to Shea Langeliers.
That was the only hit he allowed over six innings. Across his first two starts of the season, the 37‑year‑old veteran has collected nine strikeouts as he inches closer to the milestone of 2,600 career strikeouts.
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Despite his effectiveness on Wednesday, Sale’s velocity was noticeably down. He even threw a four-seam fastball at 88.6 miles per hour, an uncharacteristic dip for a pitcher who typically sits much higher on the radar gun (h/t Statcast’s Baseball Savant).
After the game, Sale acknowledged he simply did not have his best day. However, an update from manager Walt Weiss painted a clearer picture and should ease any concerns.
Weiss announced that Sale was battling an illness and it was uncertain whether he would even be able to start. “He was as sick as a dog. We didn’t know if he was gonna be able to make that start. Was hoping to get three innings out of him. It was touch and go before the game,” Weiss said.
The fact that Sale, far from full strength, still delivered a dominant outing speaks to the caliber of pitcher he remains. Across 16 MLB seasons, he has established himself as one of the most dominant left handers of his generation.
His resume includes one Cy Young Award, nine All‑Star selections, a Gold Glove and a World Series title, building a legacy he hopes will one day lead to the Hall of Fame. That moment is still years away, as Sale signed a one‑year $27 million contract extension in February that keeps him under contract through the 2027 season, with a $30 million club option for 2028.
The Braves are aiming to return to the postseason, and having Sale perform at this level only strengthens their chances. And considering he did all of this while battling an illness, Atlanta has every reason to feel even better about where his season is headed.
