Sale's velocity surge helps him throw first complete game since 2019
Chris Sale threw a complete game shutout against the Dodgers, striking out 11 and hitting 100.1 mph. It was his first complete game since 2019, and he credited an adjustment in his throwing routine. He dedicated the performance to a close family friend who passed away that day.
Sale’s 100.1 mph fastball against Shohei Ohtani marked his hardest pitch since 2018 and the seventh-fastest of his career. His average fastball velocity this season (96.1 mph) is nearly two ticks higher than last year and approaches his rookie-year mark of 96.3 mph. The complete game was his 17th, second among active pitchers, and he now trails only Sandy Koufax (97) in career double-digit strikeout games with 95. He credited a throwing-routine adjustment between starts for the sustained velocity.
The emotional backdrop was significant: Sale dedicated the outing to Ashley Foss, a close family friend who died that day at age 42. Foss had watched every Braves game, and Sale felt her presence during the shutout. The win came against the reigning back-to-back world champions, with a sellout crowd of 39,650 at Truist Park.
This performance could resonate beyond a single game, reinforcing that elite pitchers can extend peak velocity into their late 30s with adjusted training. It may influence how teams manage veteran arms, potentially shifting expectations for aging starters. For fans, such a gritty, emotionally charged outing—against a powerhouse lineup—could deepen appreciation for durability and craft. However, it also highlights the fine line between heroic effort and injury risk, prompting measured caution about workload.