Chris Sale looking to set record while facing former mentor Mark Buehrle

Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale will take the mound Monday with a lot at stake. If he can strike out 10 or more Toronto Blue Jays, Sale will set a major-league record with nine consecutive games with double-digit strikeouts.

The pressure is going to be on in more than one way, however. The Blue Jays have been the best offensive team against left-handers by a wide margin this season. On top of that, Sale will be opposed on the mound by his former mentor, Mark Buehrle.

Buehrle had a big impact on Sale’s development when the two were teammates during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, according to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com. While Sox pitching coach Don Cooper told Chisholm Buehrle’s relationship with Sale at that time is exactly how teammates should operate.

“That’s the way it should be,” longtime White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said. “Isn’t your job to pass along information, help pay it forward, if you will? That’s kind of the tradition, and Chris has learned a few things from a lot of people that have come through here I’m sure. And he’s also learned by going out there himself, and he’s also learned by his experiences.”

At that time, Buehrle was, unquestionably, the leader of the White Sox’s staff. Once Buehrle left for Miami in 2012, Sale assumed that role. (Getty Images)

The two could not be more dissimilar. According to BrooksBaseball.net, Sale has averaged 95.6 mph with his fastball this season. Buehrle is all the way down at 84.6 mph with his four-seamer. Sale absolutely dominates batters at the plate, and has a 34.6 strikeout rate. You could double Buehrle’s 13.1 strikeout rate and you still wouldn’t come close to matching Sale.

At age-36, Buehrle is no longer in his prime, but it should still be entertaining to watch these two face off against each other. Buehrle has taken the mound just once against the White Sox since he left the club, and the fact that he gets to take on his successor in Round 2 makes things even more exciting. Given the White Sox’s awful offense, the game might shake out closer than most fans think.

The Blue Jays offense might have something to do with that. Toronto has obliterated left-handed pitching this season. As a team, they are hitting .307/.374/.498 against southpaws. Their 141 wRC+ against lefties is easily the highest figure in the majors. Aside from Clayton Kershaw, there may not be a better left-hander in the game right now, so something has got to give Monday.

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No matter what happens, it should be exciting. Sale has a chance at history, and can do it with his former mentor on the mound. For the second time in his career, Buehrle gets to take on the team he led for so many years.

At the very least, we’ll finally get to see whether the student can best the teacher.

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