WASHINGTON

Chris Sale made history before throwing a pitch in his seventh straight All-Star Game appearance.

The Red Sox left-hander will be the starting pitcher for the American League tonight at Nationals Park, just the third man in baseball history to start three All-Star games in a row. Sale joins Lefty Gomez (Yankees, American League, 1933- 35) and Robin Roberts (Phillies, National League, 1953-55) on a rather exclusive list, one impressive enough to break through the native Floridian’s humble demeanor.

“It’s a big honor and I know this doesn’t happen very often,” Sale said. “And it’s been a long time, too, so I appreciate it. I’m going to try to have some fun with it.”

Sale leads the major leagues in strikeouts (188) and strikeouts per nine innings (13.1), and his 2.23 earned-run average tops A.L. hurlers. His last seven starts have been particularly dominant, as Sale has racked up 78 strikeouts and allowed just 27 hits in 48 innings.

Sale also becomes the first Boston pitcher to start multiple All-Star Games. Lefty Grove (1936), Mel Parnell (1949), Bill Monbouquette (1960), Dennis Eckersley (1982), Roger Clemens (1986), Pedro Martinez (1999) and Derek Lowe (2002) had previously taken the ball first before Sale was the choice last season at Marlins Park in Miami.

“It’s definitely deserved,” Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts said. “I’ve gotten to play behind him for the last couple years. Seeing what he’s done, it’s amazing. It seems like another Sale Day.”

“You definitely have to have your stuff together and go out there and just compete,” Sale said. “I’ve always loved a packed house.”

It can certainly be argued Sale’s three-year run has been more dominant than those put together by Gomez or Roberts. Sale has pitched to a 2.92 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP since the start of 2016, striking out 11.5 batters and allowing just 6.9 hits per nine innings. Gomez (2.87 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 7.8 H/9) and Roberts (2.99 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 8.2 H/9) took on much heavier workloads during their respective dominant spells, combining to throw 1750 2/3 innings compared to Sale’s 570 to date.

Betts was voted to start by the fans and will lead off in right field. J.D. Martinez bats cleanup as the designated hitter while first baseman Mitch Moreland will be available off the bench and closer Craig Kimbrel figures to come out of the bullpen. It’s the third straight appearance for Betts and the second overall for Martinez.

“I think it kind of crept into my mind my first All-Star Game,” Betts said. “I was hitting ninth. I said maybe one day I’ll try to lead this thing off, but I knew you had to make it here first.”

“It’s a blessing,” Martinez said. “It’s a dream just to be in this uniform. It was my childhood dream — they were my favorite team. To be here representing them, it’s cool.”