Game Preview: Chris Sale

Hey Rays fans, it's almost game time.

The good news is, the hometown nine get to trot out their right handed lineup tonight, which means no Logan Morrison. WooHoo!

The bad news is, we have to face Chris Sale, so we're probably gonna get no-hit anyway. D'oh!

Sale went seven innings his last time out, giving up three runs on six hits, with a couple walks and six strikeouts in a White Sox 7-3 win over Cleveland. But he also gave up two home runs, so there's hope? Maybe?

Let's take a look at velocity:

Holy cow. I have no idea how a guy that looks like he's made out of Popsicle sticks can throw that hard. But there ya go. And he's not slowing down. Also, nice separation between the fastball and the offspeed stuff. It's almost like he's a good pitcher or something.

Here's a scatter chart of those pitches:

Does that make you feel any better? No? How about a couple more images of who he throws these pitches to.

Remember, we're trotting out a righty heavy lineup, so pay special attention to the second chart. We can anticipate more fastball/changeup and fewer sliders than Sale featured just a couple years ago.

And that's the down-and-dirty on Chris Sale. Go Rays.