In Wednesday's finale against the Colorado Rockies, Atlanta Braves ace and 2024 NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale looked to be finally getting back on track after a rough start to the 2025 season. The lefty ace went seven innings, struck out 10 batters, walked no one, and only allowed two runs.
Unfortunately for Sale, the Braves offense only scored one run, handing Sale the loss. This was only the Rockies fifth win of the season, putting them on pace for 27 wins this season.
This might be embarrassing if it was a one-off, but somehow, this isn't the first time the Braves have lost a Sale start to a team with a historic inability to win games.
Chris Sale can't beat the worst teams in MLB for some reason
Last season, when the Braves flew to face to Chicago White Sox in June to make up a rainout (snow out?), the Sox were 21-61. At the time they were on pace to win 41 games. This pace ended up being spot on, as the team finished the season 41-121, which set an MLB record for most losses in a season.
The Braves were still trying to find their stride and hoped that facing the worst team in baseball with the eventual NL Cy Young winner would be an easy win. Sale, for his part, did his job, with his one blemish being a solo shot to Luis Robert. He went seven innings, striking out 11 and walking one.
This should've been enough for the Braves, especially considering the White Sox were throwing a bullpen game, but the offense could not touch the pitching of Chad Kuhl, Justin Anderson, Jared Shuster, John Brebbia, and Michael Kopech.
Coming into Wednesday's game, the Rockies were somehow even worse than the White Sox. Colorado was 4-25, on pace for a whopping 22 wins for the entire season. The Rockies had the worst starting pitching ERA in baseball.
So naturally, the Braves only managed one run off the starting pitcher, Chase Dollander, who entered the game with a 7.91 ERA in four starts. Meanwhile, Sale easily had his best start of the season, even with a few red flags, going more than five innings for the first time all season.
Believe it or not, these aren't the only two instances of Sale going at least seven innings, striking out at least 10 batters while walking one or fewer batters and allowing two or fewer runs while getting a loss. In fact, Wednesday was the 10th time Sale had done this in his career. Six of these instances have come against teams who ended the season at least 20 games under .500.
So, if you're the Braves and you're about to face a terrible team with a terrible track record, be warned. The offense might need a big pep talk before taking the field.