Chris Sale provided a straightforward response when asked how he threw over 100 mph during his shutout victory over the Dodgers on August 28, 2026. In an interview with the Braves’ broadcast following the 1-0 win, Sale said, "With my arm." This marked the first time Sale threw a triple-digit fastball since 2018, and he struck out 11 batters during the game. This shutout was Sale’s first since June 5, 2019, in Kansas City.
Sale became the sixth player at 37 years and 150 days old to achieve 10 or more strikeouts without allowing a walk in a shutout, according to MLB statistician Sarah Langs. He joins notable pitchers such as Cy Young, Eddie Plank, Steve Carlton, Nolan Ryan, and Randy Johnson in this category.
During the game, Sale faced Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani in the third inning. He managed to get Ohtani, a four-time MVP, to swing at two pitches before delivering a 100.1 mph fastball, which Ohtani fouled off. Two pitches later, Ohtani struck out swinging at a slider. Sale struck out Ohtani again in the fifth inning with a 99.6 mph fastball that was high in the strike zone.
This season, Sale has made 24 starts and has a 2.06 ERA over 144 innings, with a total of 177 strikeouts.