The Atlanta Braves are playing like the best team in baseball, and their record reflects that. Atlanta has yet to lose a series this season and defeated the Phillies on Sunday afternoon to take the series. They are the first MLB team to 20 wins.
On Sunday, Braves’ ace Chris Sale got the start, and he was dominant per usual. He pitched six innings, struck out nine Phillies hitters, and gave up just one earned run. Sale is one of the best starters in MLB, and will likely enter the Hall of Fame as an Atlanta Brave. He also made MLB history in the process after the Phillies’ start.
More MLB on Heavy: MLB World Reacts to Spencer Striderâs Recent Minor League Start
Chris Sale Makes Unique, But Impressive MLB History After Phillies Start
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 12: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Per Underdog MLB, Chris Sale is the only pitcher in MLB history with a K/9 of 11+ and 1,200 IP in their career.
According to BaseballReference.com, Sale has pitched 2113.0 total innings over 317 total starts, and holds a K/9 mark of 11.1.
It’s a bizarre stat, but think about it, no other pitcher in MLB history has a K/9 mark of 11+ with that many innings pitched.
It’s obviously a stat that is subject to fluctuation if Sale has a few starts with low strikeouts, but the way he’s pitching, that may not happen.
The stats for Sunday’s game haven’t registered in BaseballReference.com’s database as I’m writing this, but over Sale’s last two starts (both against the Phillies), he’s pitched 13 innings and surrendered just one run with 16 strikeouts on just six hits allowed.
More MLB on Heavy: New York Yankees Get Rehab Updates on Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon Before Astros Game
Chris Sale’s Career at a Glance
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 18: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves delivers a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park on April 18, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Heather Barry/Getty Images)
Chris Sale is in his third season with the Atlanta Braves.
Before Atlanta, he spent six seasons with the Red Sox, and then seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox before that.
He holds a career record of 149-89 with an ERA of 3.01 and 2,608 strikeouts. If he pitches long enough (which he should), Chris Sale is a prime candidate to reach the 3,000 strikeout mark.
Sale finally won the illustrious Cy Young award in 2024 with a stellar campaign in his first season in a Braves uniform (2.38 ERA, 177.2 innings, 225 K’s, 11.4 K/9).
One of the best starters of this generation, and he has shown no signs of slowing down. The good news for Braves fans is that after the 2026 season, Chris Sale is still under contract for the next two seasons. He has eight seasons of 200+ strikeouts. This is Sale’s 16th season in MLB.
More MLB on Heavy: Report: Trevor Story Isnât Happy with Recent Red Sox Decision to Fire Alex Cora, Jason Varitek
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Braves’ Chris Sale Makes MLB History After Phillies Start appeared first on Heavy Sports.