ANAHEIM, Calif. — Many Chicago White Sox players, coaches and fans were still talking about pitcher Chris Sale’s performance on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs.
Sale threw seven scoreless innings, allowed only one hit and matched a career high with 15 strikeouts in a 3-1 White Sox win.
Sale, who now leads the majors with 208 strikeouts, is just coming into his own, according to White Sox manager Robin Ventura.
“He’s still a kid, but he’s a more mature kid as he understands what he can do on a nightly basis,” Ventura said. “It’s fun for us to watch, but you’re getting a guy who has been through it enough. His experience is starting to get there, too.”
Sale, 26, is 11-7 with a 3.32 ERA this season, but the Angels won’t have to face him in the four-game series. Sale’s next start will be Friday in Seattle.
“Other teams are looking at our team when we come to town and they’re trying to see if he’s lining up with them,” Ventura said. “I know we used to do it with really good pitchers, used to sit there and you would know who you were going to face. He understands that but, on the other hand, he knows what he means to us.”