Chris Sale. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Red Sox ace Chris Sale's pitching like a man possessed right now. Or, at least an ace. Over his last five starts, Sale's 3-and-1 with a 1.03 ERA and 54 strikeouts in just 35 innings.
Those totals helped the southpaw wrap up American League June Pitcher of the Month honors, and his manager Alex Cora believes Sale is resembling another dominant lefty you may remember.
"He reminds me a lot of Randy Johnson now, back in the day, right now, the way he's throwing the ball," Cora said. "One thing, you look at him, it looks effortless. He's just throwing it, you look up, it's 99, 100. He looks great, he's healthy, he's in a good spot."
Red Sox Ace Chris Sale's Priorities Exceed Personal Achievements
Sale has a 2.87 ERA his last four starts at Kauffman stadium. No relation. That's where the Sox will be tonight, for the first of three against the last-place Royals--losers of six in a row and 18 of 21. Kansas City will counter with Jason Hammel and his 5.56 ERA.
The MLB-leading Red Sox are 30 games over .500 for the first time since 2013 and just swept the Nationals by a combined 18-7 in three games. First pitch, 8:15 p.m.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman reports