Marlins, Red Sox and Yankees: 3 players who stood out in May

Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox

This is a big season for not only Chris Sale, but also the Boston Red Sox after an offseason that saw more impactful subtractions than additions. With Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Wacha leaving, a big bounce-back season was needed from the lanky left-hander to help stabilize the top of the rotation.

April was a tough month for the veteran as he struggled with his control and command, but once the calendar turned to May, he suddenly became the pitcher Boston was hoping he could be and he delivered each time he took the ball.

In six starts in April, he went 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA in 29.1 innings. He allowed 22 earned runs, six home runs, and walked 10 batters. In May, however, Sale was on top of his game with control and command of his pitches. He only had four starts, but in 26 innings, his ERA was 2.42, he allowed just seven runs and only walked four batters. He had 30 strikeouts, including 10 in his first start of the month against the Philadelphia Phillies, before striking out nine against the St. Louis Cardinals and eight against the San Diego Padres.

Corey Kluber, who got the Opening Day start against the Baltimore Orioles, has struggled big time and got sent to the bullpen after his start against the Padres, and James Paxton has returned and been better than expected in his first few starts. If Sale can carry over his May into June, that would be a big lift for the Red Sox.