Pick Your Poison
By Matt Blake
Bèisbol, “America’s Pastime”, Hardball …
All words to describe the illustrious game of baseball. The game that brings warmth to a person’s heart after their desired team makes punches their postseason ticket, the sport we all complain about that has overpriced snacks and beverages, but still purchase, and don’t forget it’s the sport where we all go and try catch some history in either our hands, food combo trays, or off our body via a foul ball.
In baseball you have outfielders, infielders, catchers, designated hitters, pinch runners, utility players; however, the pitcher is the most important asset on the team.
You see, without a pitcher there is no ball thrown. Without the throwing of a baseball, no runs can be produced. Lack of run production leads to long inning ball games and let’s face it, we all know that when the game get’s into extra innings, unless it’s a postseason match-up or we are either watching from the comfort of our couches, we get bored. Period. The pitcher is just one of most important aspects of a team that brings excitement to the game!
Now, with all of this being said, I have a simple scenario for you: If you were given a chance to win a million dollars by having the power to choose any current MLB pitcher to throw a complete game shutout for your favorite team, who would your pick be? Now, I could let you off easy but that’s not what I’m here for.
A little bit of research has to be done. Some stats on pitch count, strikeouts per 9 innings, hits per 9 innings and even walks. Whether the pitcher is on a hot streak or in a poor performance slump doesn’t really matter; most importantly, I just want you to choose an ace you would have pitch for your chance to win a million bucks and provide some proof.
So… Who would it be?
Personally, I’m a hugeTampa Bay Rays fan. However, without a doubt in mind, I would choose Chicago’s own:
Chris Sale.
This 6’7, 180lb lefty can flat out bring it! Throwing from almost a complete sidearm arm slot, the lefty can reach anywhere from 91-99 on his fastball. Not only is coming at high velocity, but it has some impeccable “running” movement away from right-handed batters. There’s no need to even mention this guy’s off-speed pitches. In just his last start against the Royals, Sales stats are as follows:
On July 26, Sale recorded a solid win against the Kansas City Royals with 7 strong innings of work. Only allowing 1 earned run from 7 hits is pretty darn good. Of course Sale’s walk rate is kept to a minimum with the exception to the start on the 28th of last month; five walks were given up in a win against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Sale is a strong choice based on his stats so far this season. In order to get a complete game shutout the pitcher has to complete 9 innings of work. As you can see, each game complete game Sale has thrown resulted in a win this season. Not only does longevity play a role in a complete game shutout, but your choice has to also not give up a single run in 9 innings of work. According to his season stats, in Sale’s two complete game starts this season he has only given up 3 runs- 1 in the first and 2 in the second.
Sale is a strong candidate and I’m confident that if I was given a choice to pick any pitcher in the league to throw a complete game shutout for a chance to win $1 million, he would be my choice without a doubt.
So who’s your ace?