clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Game 70 Thread: Red Sox vs. Royals, Lanky Lefty Edition

Let's hope there's some Strahminating tonight.

By Matthew LaMar
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Sale is, of course, a fantastic pitcher and one of the best in the game. Somehow, he has yet to win a Cy Young award, which is bizarre considering Sale's remarkable, consistent excellence.

Actually, what may be more amazing about Sale is how often pitchers get compared to him. Sale is a tall, lanky lefty who throws out of a slightly funky arm slot and who spent his first 79 games of his Major League career as a wipeout bullpen arm. There aren't that many pitchers who fit that bill, and none of them are as well-known as Sale, so if any pitcher features a remotely similar arsenal you can bet somebody has said they are "like Sale" at some point.

Fortunately for the Royals, Matt Strahm is more like Sale than a lot of guys who get compared to him. Sale is listed at 6'6" and 180 lbs; Strahm is listed at 6'3" and 185 lbs. Sale spent two years relieving before becoming a starter; it took Strahm 41 games over two seasons before getting a chance to start. Sale's two fastballs average at 93.4 and 94.0 MPH; Strahm's fastball averages 93.9 MPH.

If everything goes right for the Royals, the Strahm/Sale battle will be something we all look forward to. Or not. Sale's a bad, bad man and not seeing him in divisonal series anymore makes me feel #blessed.

Kansas City Lineup:

Boston Red Sox Lineup:

More From Royals Review