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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 14: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on May 14, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

On Friday night, the Atlanta Braves will open up a series with the Boston Red Sox at Truist Park in Georgia.

The Braves are off to an incredible start to the 2026 season.

They are coming off a series where they took two out of three from the Chicago Cubs.

ESPN Star Makes Bold Statement About Chris Sale

GettyChris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves reacts to Teoscar Hernández #37 of the Los Angeles Dodgers single during the second inning at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

One of the reasons for the success of the Braves this season has been the play of Chris Sale.

He is 6-3 with a 1.96 ERA in nine games this season.

Recently, ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian made a bold statement about Sale (via 680 The Fan).

Kurkjian: “He’s had a Cy Young, he was a really good pitcher at 23 and he’s a really good pitcher now at 36. I think he’s going to be a Hall of Famer. I’m just not sure he is at this moment, but it’s really, really close.”

Sale is in his third season with the Braves.

At 37, he is coming off back-to-back seasons of making the All-Star Game.

In 2024, Sale won the National League Cy Young Award in his first year with the franchise.

Harrison Smajovits of Braves OnSI wrote (on May 14): “Chris Sale now has eight starts this season with at least six innings pitched and no more than 2 ER allowed. His 8 Ks are the third most he’s had in a start so far #Braves”

GettyChris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves stands between his 2024 Cy Young Award and 2024 All MLB First Team award as he is honored prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on April 09, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Before the Braves, Sale had stints with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox.

Over 16 years, he has gone 151-91 with a 2.98 ERA in 402 games.

Braves Right Now

GettyChris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

The Braves come into their series with the Red Sox as the top team in the National League East with a 30-14 record in 44 games.

They have gone 14-7 in 21 games at Truist Park.

Following the Red Sox, the Braves will head on the road to visit the Miami Marlins on Monday night at LoanDepot Park in Florida.