Chris Sales feeling like 2018 again

ATLANTA — Chris Sale’s return to Fenway Park likely played a part in him producing his highest average four-seam fastball velocity since the end of the 2018 season.

But the Braves’ 37-year-old hurler may have also benefited from the two extra days of rest, which he will once again experience before starting against the Blue Jays on Thursday night at Truist Park.

“It’s always a good day when Sale is on the mound for us,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “We always feel good.”

Sale ranks fourth in the Majors (third in the NL) with a 2.01 ERA. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 10 of his first 11 starts. With another strong start, he could join Roger Clemens (2005), Justin Verlander (2022), Tim Hudson (2014) and Kenny Rogers (2005) as the only pitchers age 37 or older to produce a sub-2.00 ERA through the first 12 starts of a season (since 2000).

When the Braves acquired Sale from the Red Sox before the 2024 season, they were taking a chance on an injury-plagued hurler who had totaled 151 innings from 2020-23. But the lefty won the 2024 NL Cy Young Award and he has continued to get stronger with age.

Sale’s four-seamer averaged 97 mph as he limited the Red Sox to two runs over five innings on May 28. That stands as the pitch’s highest average velo in any game since the start of 2019. His second-highest average was also recorded last month, when he averaged 96.8 mph with his heater during a May 16 home start against Boston.