Chris Sale Looks to Bolster Cy Young Case On Saturday Versus Angels

The Atlanta Braves absolutely nailed the Chris Sale trade.

Sending infielder Vaughn Grissom to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Sale and cash to cover his 2023 salary, the Braves are getting Cy Young caliber production out of Sale: a 13-3 record, a 2.61 ERA, and 177 strikeouts in just 134.2 innings. Sale's wins, ERA, and strikeouts all lead the National League, while his winning percentage (.813) and Fielding Independent Pitching (2.13) leads all of baseball. (Grissom, meanwhile, has made multiple trips to the injured list and is currently in Triple-A after batting just .148 in his 23 MLB games).

Sale, the current betting favorite for the NL Cy Young, will attempt to solidify his frontrunner status at the expense of the Los Angeles Angels, who won last night's series opener 3-2 . They are countering Sale with RHP Griffin Canning (4-10, 5.11).

Lineup for the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, August 17th

Here's how the Braves will line up for the contest:

CF Michael Harris II
3B Austin Riley
DH Marcell Ozuna
1B Matt Olson
C Travis d'Arnaud
RF Ramón Laureano
LF Jarred Kelenic
SS Orlando Arcia
2B Whit Merrifield

Sale has faced the Angels five times in his career and dominated, going 4-0 with a 1.53 ERA. Problem is, the most recent of those starts was in 2019, and that was a different roster. Only two active Angels have ever seen Sale, with infielder Brandon Drury going 2-11 with a homer and two RBI and former Braves outfielder Kevin Pillar going 7-30 with one RBI.

Here's the Angels lineup against the lefty Sale:

LF Taylor Ward
SS Zach Neto
1B Nolan Schanuel
CF Kevin Pillar
C Logan O'Hoppe
3B Brandon Drury
RF Jo Adell
DH Michael Stefanic
2B Jack López

Canning has never faced Atlanta as a starter, but that doesn't mean no Braves have ever seen him. Seven different Braves have an at-bat off of the righty, with the most success going to Marcell Ozuna (1-3, HR) and Ramón Laureano (7-19, 3 HR).

How to Watch the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels on Saturday, August 17th

Tonight's matchup is scheduled for 9:38 PM ET. The Braves broadcast will be on Bally Sports South, while the radio call will be on 680AM/93.7 The Fan and on Atlanta Braves Radio Network affiliates across Braves Country.