Levine: Chris Sale No-Hitter Or 20-Strikeout Performance Seems Inevitable
By Bruce Levine--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- At some point, the obvious will come to fruition for dominant White Sox ae Chris Sale. Simply put, a no-hitter or two should be in his future.
We were reminded of this again Sunday, when Sale pitched the White Sox to a 3-1 win against the rival Cubs. Sale struck out 15 Cubs in seven scoreless innings, and the only he allowed was a scratch hit from Dexter Fowler in the sixth inning. If not for an elevated pitch count, Sale was on a pace to challenge all-time single-game strikeout record of 20 when he was removed after 116 pitches.
Being modest won't deter from the fact that Sale can do supernatural things on the mound that few this side of Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax and Randy Johnson could be counted on to accomplish.
"Yes, of course that is coming at any time," teammate Jose Abreu said about the possibility of Sale throwing no-hit ballgames. "That is certainly coming for him because he is so dominant."
Sale has struck out 10 or more hitters in a start on 11 occasions in 2015.
"How in the (heck) are you supposed to hit that (stuff)?" one left-handed Cubs hitter told White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers on Sunday.
"He sure has the stuff to throw one," Flowers said after catching Sale's 11th victory." I have seen guys with less stuff have no-hitters. He is certainly capable of it. Today wasn't that day though."
Sale's a combination of fireball competitor and humble teammate. To predict throwing a perfect game or striking out 21 hitters strays from his humble side, so you won't hear him talk much of it. Deep down, if you know his competitive side, you know he expects to get every batter out every time he takes the mound.
"There are a lot of pitchers that never get to throw a no-hitter," Sale said. "A lot better than I am as well. When you are out there you take it for what it is. I know when it's up there (no hits allowed), everybody knows when it's up there. You can't help but think about it. How hard this game is, I am not going to tell you I am. I will try not going to promise anything."
At just 26, Sale has as good shot at a no-hitter and/or a 20-strikeout game for nine innings. The latter record is held by Roger Clemens and Kerry Wood.
"I am sure," Sale said when asked if someone can break the record. "Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I can see it happening. I thought the home run record would never be beaten. I wouldn't put it past any of the guys. Especially with the arms we see around the league now."
Sale wouldn't put himself in that mix. Truth be told, he's the clubhouse leader in both the no-hit and 20-strikeout pool every time he takes the ball.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.