What happened: Chris Sale allowed five hits over nine scoreless innings in a 1-0 win. He threw 109 pitches and finished with 11 strikeouts and no walks.
Why it matters: The performance strengthened the case for Sale’s place among baseball’s best pitchers. He lowered his 2026 ERA to 2.06, the second-best mark in MLB.
By the numbers: Sale: 9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 11 K, 109 pitches. Season ERA: 2.06, second in MLB.
What to watch: Sale’s next start will test whether he can sustain his late-season run.