Braves’ Chris Sale sends brutal message after shutting out Red Sox

It was an exciting Wednesday night for Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale, as in addition to facing his former team the Boston Red Sox, he was wonderful in the outing leading to a 5-game shutout victory. -0 for the home team at Truist Park. Sale spoke after the game about the performance and what it was like to wear a Braves uniform while taking down the team he was a part of for six seasons and created countless memories with.

The 35-year-old pitcher was dynamite in the outing as he went six innings, allowing six hits, walking a batter once and striking out 10 Red Sox batters while earning no earned runs. He told the media in his press conference after the game that he had to sit out the “first innings” because they were in “deep counts,” but that he really found his feet afterward according to NESN.

“The first innings were big counts,” Sale told reporters, as seen in NESN’s postgame coverage. “The number of throws has increased quite well. You get through the first round and you kind of exhale. Next thing you know, you have four points on the board. This helps a lot too.

Sale reflects time spent with Boston and winning a championship

Although at the end of the day it’s competition, Sale still appreciates the Red Sox organization because he has had many productive seasons, despite some injuries. However, the biggest achievement of all was when Sale played a role in Boston’s World Series championship victory in 2018, which the Florida native remembers fondly.

“We won a championship together,” Sale said. “I watched Rafael Devers make his major league debut and become a $300 million superstar. I watched Kutter Crawford at Florida Gulf Coast University. This guy is like a little brother to me. Even Nick Pivetta lived in Southwest Florida and we spent a whole offseason together. The list is lengthened increasingly. I could sit here and talk about Alex Cora for the next three hours. It’s different.”

While there are fond memories, Sale would ultimately be traded in December 2023 with cash considerations from the Red Sox to the Braves in exchange for Vaughn Grissom. This added fuel to the fire for Sale as he wanted to prove that even with all the criticism about his inability to stay healthy, he “dealt with it” according to ESPN.

“I went on a mission in the offseason,” Sale said. “I looked for it, I knew I had to do it this year.”

Red Sox manager follows Sale even with Braves

So far, he is living up to his goals as so far in the season he has a 5-1 record, a 2.95 ERA, 52 strikeouts, and a 0.98 WHIP. Sale looks to strengthen what is already a great Atlanta team, as they have championship aspirations of their own, but they will need the pitcher more than anything with Spencer Strider’s injury.

If there’s anyone who followed Sale’s young stint with the Braves, it was Red Sox manager Alex Cora, with whom the two worked closely. He even admitted before the two teams faced off that he “wishes he was still with us and helping these kids become big league players,” according to MassLive.com.

“I am. I knew a while ago that he would be throwing that day,” Cora said. “It’s going to be awesome. We still have work to do. Clumsy? Of course. I wish he was still with us and helping these kids become big league players and continue to get better. But understanding how it happens – we have a good one (Grissom) and they have a good one. Very proud of him.

Cora uses NSFW response to respond to Sale’s criticism

Cora spoke at length about Sale’s criticism, hit back at comments about her injury history, and responded with a NSFW comment. He even mentioned the time he “broke his wrist while biking home from pitching at Boston College in August 2022 while recovering from another injury.”

“This guy is special,” Cora said. “I know people make jokes about him, the injuries, the bike and all that, which I think is bullshit because the guy did everything possible to be on the field.”

For Cora, he’s excited for the next time the Red Sox face the Braves and specifically Sale at Fenway Park so he can “get the ovation he deserves.” From the way the skipper speaks, there’s no doubt that Sale will have a future coaching job in Boston if he wants it.

“I can’t wait for him to come back to Fenway and get the ovation he deserves,” Cora said. “Because out of all the guys here that have been a part of this since 2018, until now, he’s been through some ups and downs and he’s rolled with his punches. But like I said, no one can take off that 18 ring.”

Sale still in touch with Red Sox program

Even though he provided outstanding innings for the Braves in their quest for the World Series, Cora said Sale had “been in touch” and even “helped our guys” while he was still talking to Red Sox stars like Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck. . Cora appreciates that even players who are no longer with the franchise, they are still somewhat involved as he talks about Sale’s work ethic and the good times the two had together.

“I’m very proud of him,” Cora said. “He’s been in touch. He helped our guys too. He talks to Kutter (Crawford) and Tanner (Houck). He listens like everyone else. And that’s what I’m most proud of in my job: these guys are still part of the organization, even from afar. They watch and know what’s going on. And it’s pretty cool.

“I know how much work he had to do to be out there every five days,” Cora said. “Last year he made it his mission to show people what it takes to be a great player. We did this outing in Kansas City. He was throwing like 85, 86 if I’m not mistaken. And he played 5 (innings). That’s the game I came out with two outs and the bases loaded or whatever – he walked two guys – and he said to me, “One more batter? And I say, “Well, throw some (expletive) strikes.” » And it was 94, 95, 96. And he said to me, “You should have come out earlier.” But he cares about the players. He cared about the program. He always does. From day one, that outing in Tampa, to the last day last year in Baltimore, he’s been incredible. It is awesome.”

While Sale and Cora will enjoy the championship won in 2018 and even other seasons with the Red Sox, the former is looking for more gold with the Braves. Atlanta is currently 22-12 this season, placing them second behind the Philadelphia Phillies (26-12) as they now begin a three-game series against the New York Mets starting on Friday evening.