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Game 46: New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox, Phelps vs. Sale

The Yankees' sputtering offense faces one of the best pitchers in baseball

Brian Kersey

There are a few guys I love watching pitch. Interestingly, there are fewer starters I love than I think there used to be. Maybe it's the starters, maybe it's my attention, maybe it's the list of guys there used to be is longer than ever.

Of non-Yankees, I love watching Cliff Lee and Felix and Bartolo Colon and Mike Minor and Jordan Zimmerman. Give a starter who throws the ball over the plate and says "I dare you."

For years, I have enjoyed watching Chris Sale. If baseball started over with a draft, and I had the third pick (once Trout and Kershaw were off the board), I might take Chris Sale. A 25 year old, 6'6" left hander who averages better than a K/9 and doesn't walk anyone. Yeah, wish I had one of those.

Since transitioning from the bullpen in 2012, Sale has struck out a quarter of the batters who face him. He's walked basically one or two guys per start. He usually pitches into the 7th inning.

Chris Sale has held opponents to a .223/.283/.347 line in his short, brilliant career.

The Yankees' offense has been at its best against lefties this year: .288/.349/.423.

It's a great matchup- a hard hitting lineup that can strike out in bunches against a strikeout artist capable of going deep into games.

Go Yankees. Go baseball.

Today's Lineups

NEW YORK YANKEES CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Jacoby Ellsbury - CF Adam Eaton - CF
Derek Jeter - DH Gordon Beckham - 2B
Mark Teixeira - 1B Conor Gillaspie - 3B
Alfonso Soriano - RF Dayan Viciedo - RF
Y. Solarte - 3B Adam Dunn - 1B
Brian Roberts - 2B Alexei Ramirez - SS
J. Murphy - C Paul Konerko - DH
Brendan Ryan - SS A. De Aza - LF
Zoilo Almonte - LF Tyler Flowers - C
David Phelps - RHP Chris Sale - LHP