Chicago at the All-Star Game
The 84th edition of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is in the books. For Chicago baseball fans, going into the game the bar for expectations were low. When the rosters were released, the two Chicago teams had a combined three representatives. For the White Sox they were pitchers Chris Sale and injured reliever Jesse Crain. For the Cubs it was pitcher Travis Wood.
With Wood pitching Sunday night for the Cubs in the final game of the first half and Crain currently injured, the introductions likely would be the highlight of the night for Chicago. But then, enter lefty Chris Sale from the bullpen. Sale entered the game as a relief pitcher after the starter of the game Max Scherzer only pitched one inning. Sale then pitched the second and third innings facing six batters and retiring all six.
In the second, he retired David Wright on a groundout to third, struck out Carlos Gonzalez on an impressive slider, and got Yadier Molina on a fly out. Then in the third, struck out Troy Tulowitzki, got Michael Cuddyer on a weak ground out, and finally got Home Run derby runner up Bryce Harper on a line out.
They were an impressive two innings of work for Sale. With little to look forward to, he represented the city well. At the break, Sale is fifth in the American League in ERA and Strike outs. On the flip side is record is just 6-8 on the season. That is the result of little run support and a bad team supporting him.
Tuesday night was an excellent showcase for Chris. As the game progresses, the American League ended up shutting out the National League 3-0 with the National League only putting together three hits for the game. The winning pitcher was Sale. Come October, because of the victory, the American League will have home field advantage for the World Series. As it stands right now, that may have even less action from Chicago teams then the All-Star game featured.
For a few innings, Chicago baseball impressed. A tip of the cap goes to Chris Sale as he is one of the best young arms around the league. Sale is a former first round pick back in 2010 by the White Sox out of the college Florida Gulf Coast. Tuesday night was a nice victory and resume builder for the lefty from Lakeland Florida. Here is to the second half of the season building off of the mid summer classic.