The Atlanta Braves’ lefty ace Chris Sale has secured the coveted National League pitching Triple Crown. Sale led the league with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 strikeouts during the 2024 regular season. This accomplishment is no small feat and places him in elite company.
Not only did Sale dominate the National League, but he also shares this year’s pitching Triple Crown honor with Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, who took the American League crown. The last time both leagues saw Triple Crown winners in the same year was back in 2011, when Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers and Justin Verlander of the Tigers claimed the honor. Kershaw and Verlander both won the Cy Young Award that season, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Chris Sale and Skubal followed in their footsteps and snagged the prestigious award as well.
Sale’s achievement marks the first time a National League pitcher has won the Triple Crown since Kershaw did it in 2011, ending a 13-year drought. The last pitcher to win the Triple Crown in either league was Shane Bieber during the shortened 2020 season, making this season extra special for the 35-year-old Braves pitcher.