White Sox ace Sale could use some rest during All-Star break
Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale could be named as Tuesday's American League starting pitcher in the All-Star Game and there would be few — if any — beefs.
Heading into the break, Sale leads the league with 157 strikeouts, he's tied for fifth with a 0.95 WHIP, he's seventh with a 2.72 ERA and he is 8-4.
Sale also attracted international attention when he struck out 10 or more in 8 straight starts, which tied the major-league record.
Heading to his fourth straight All-Star Game, Sale is clearly one of the premier pitchers in the game. But after throwing 115 pitches in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Cubs, Sale needs some rest.
If he didn't pitch at all in the All-Star Game, the White Sox would be happy. “I would prefer he wouldn't,” manager Robin Ventura said.
Sale is the Sox' lone all-star, not that it matters much to Ventura and the Sox.
“He is (the White Sox' only representative), but I also want him to pitch for us for the rest of the year, too,” Ventura said.
Had he pitched Sunday, Sale wouldn't have been eligible to take the mound in the All-Star Game. Ventura could contact AL all-star manager Ned Yost and ask him not to pitch Sale.
While he enjoys the All-Star Game, Sale would be fine if he didn't take the mound this year.
“Those aren't my decisions to make,” he said. “I understand where (Ventura's) coming from. I respect it. I've got to put this team first and foremost. This is the team I'm playing for and that I have a future with. I definitely understand where he's coming from.
“I've enjoyed pitching (in the All-Star Game) in the past. I would like to. But at the same time, that's a decision for him to make. He's going to make the right one.”
Extended break:
Jose Abreu did not play Sunday, and the White Sox' first baseman can use the all-star break to heal a sore right index finger and sore legs.
“This is just to give him an extra day going into the all-star break to get four days,” manager Robin Ventura said.
Overall, it has been a disappointing first half for Abreu, even though he leads the White Sox with a .296 batting average, 14 home runs and 46 RBI.
At the break last year, Abreu was batting .292 with 29 homers and 73 RBI en route to winning unanimous AL Rookie of the Year honors.
“It's been hit and miss,” Ventura said. “The power numbers haven't been there. He's had a couple issues. I think the hand is probably most of it. But he's still able to grind out an at-bat, give you a tough at-bat, get a hit.
“Average-wise, he's in there, but the power numbers can probably be attributed somewhat to that. He's had hand stuff that we need to take care of in five days.”
Start me up:
The White Sox open the second half of the season at home Friday with a day/night doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals.
Manager Robin Ventura said Jeff Samardzija will start Game 1 and John Danks will start Game 2.
Jose Quintana gets the start Saturday, when the Sox will have a pregame ceremony for the 2005 World Series champions.
As for Sunday, it could be Chris Sale, but Ventura wants to see how the All-Star Game plays out.
“We'll just leave that one out there,” Ventura said. “I don't know if that will be Sale or (Carlos) Rodon at this point.”
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