Red Sox top performers for 2017 season’s first trimester

Aug 20, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (left) center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (center) and right fielder Mookie Betts (right) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Red Sox win 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi (left) center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (center) and right fielder Mookie Betts (right) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Red Sox win 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
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May 13, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) pitches during the first inning at against the Tampa Bay Rays Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) pitches during the first inning at against the Tampa Bay Rays Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Top Pitcher: Chris Sale

Is there even a debate here? Chris Sale has been exactly what the Red Sox imagined when they traded an arm and a leg for him in the offseason. In fact, Sale has exceeded his expectations.

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The lefty is top-10 in the league in ERA, and second in the AL in wins with seven. Sale would easily be the front-runner for the AL Cy Young Award if it wasn’t for Dallas Keuchel‘s perfect 9-0 record.

He is easily leading the league in strikeouts, with 119 K’s through just 84.0 IP, the next closest player is Max Scherzer, who only has only fanned 100 batters.

With David Price being on the disabled list for a majority of the first trimester, Sale had to step up and he did just that. With the return of Price, some of the weight will be lifted off of Sale’s shoulders, knowing he has another ace following him the next day.

If the Sox want to compete in the coming months and into the playoffs, Sale is going to have to continue his dominance, and provide many more quality starts.

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