Chris Sale's Dominant Outing Against the Royals Should Have Red Sox Fans Feeling Confident

Chris Sale hasn't just been playing below his lofty standards in 2019, he's bordering on below-average, posting a 1-7 record and a 4.35 ERA heading into Wednesday night.

After mowing down the Kansas City Royals, though, his luck might finally start turning for the better.

Sale only allowed three hits over nine scoreless innings while striking out 12, lowering his ERA to 3.84.

While his 17-strikeout game against Colorado--which he somehow lost--was the best start he's had this year to this point, this one might actually top it. He was getting his fastball into the mid 90s consistently and was finally able to control his slider and changeup.

He also tossed in an immaculate inning for good measure, becoming the first pitcher since Lefty Grove in 1928 to throw two in the same season.

While he faced the Royals, who hit Chelsor Cuthbert fifth in the order in an MLB game, the fact that Sale was able to turn back the clock to his first two seasons in Boston has to feel good for a Red Sox team that has seen some horrid pitching this year.

While Sale and the Red Sox are not totally back on track yet, his showing against Kansas City could be a sign that they're ready to get back to the machine they were in 2018 in short order.