Boston Red Sox: Chris Sale returns to ‘ace’ status

This hasn’t been a fun season for Chris Sale, but the Boston Red Sox pitcher finally returned to form and was victorious at Fenway Park.

After re-signing Chris Sale in the offseason the Boston Red Sox were expecting a lot from the lefty. When you become a $145 million man you need to deliver.

For most of the season, Sale has been pitching like he belongs on the clearance rack. Sale had 4 straight losses to start the year with his first win not coming until May.

More from Chowder and Champions

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win

Prior to his start on Thursday, Sale’s stat line looked like a pitcher who barely deserved $1 million. He boasted a 3-9 record with an 4.27 ERA.

If the Boston Red Sox are going to sneak their way into the playoffs they are going to need a dominant Chris Sale. That is exactly what they got on Thursday.

Sale led the Boston Red Sox to a 5-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched 6 shutout innings, striking out 12 and only allowing 2 earned runs.

This is the best performance we have seen from Sale all season. Nobody could touch him while he was on the mound.

With the win on Thursday, Sale picked up his first victory at Fenway since the ALDS of last season and his first regular season win in front of Red Sox nation since July 11th of 2018.

This was great to see, but Sale needs to prove that this isn’t just a fluke. Usually the 2nd half of the season is when Sale starts to fall apart, but after his rough first half of the season he won’t be given that luxury.

Sale needs to start being the reason that the Red Sox win games and not the reason they lose them. If he keeps pitching like he did on Thursday Red Sox fans will have nothing to complain about.