The Atlanta Braves have made a strategic decision to save Chris Sale for a potential elimination game as they navigate their postseason push.
While their streak of six consecutive NL East titles has come to an end, the Braves remain in contention for a Wild Card spot. A rescheduled series against the New York Mets, who sit just ahead of them in the standings, has forced the Braves to rethink their rotation. Instead of pitching Sale against the Mets earlier in the series, the team has opted to hold him back for a critical moment.
Sale was originally set to start Wednesday’s game against the Mets, which was postponed to Monday as part of a doubleheader. Although the Braves could have slotted him in for a start over the weekend, they’ve chosen to prioritize his availability for a must-win situation. Max Fried will now take the mound for Friday’s game to kick off the series against the Kansas City Royals.
David O’Brien of The Athletic explained the reasoning behind the move: “Essentially, the Braves are holding Sale for an elimination game. He’s ready and was part of the planning process. They considered starting him Friday, but after discussions with Sale, they settled on this approach. Fried is more comfortable with a regular schedule and prefers not to have extended rest.”
Braves’ Pitching Adjustments Ahead of Mets Doubleheader
Though the Mets doubleheader looms large in the Braves’ postseason hopes, the Royals series is equally important as Atlanta fights to stay alive. Sale, who will benefit from some additional rest after a slight drop in velocity during his last outing, must be sharp and ready when called upon.
In his first season with the Braves, Sale has been stellar and is a favorite for the NL Cy Young Award. He currently leads MLB in ERA (2.38), FIP (2.09), wins (18), and strikeouts per nine innings (11.4), making him the ideal pitcher for a high-stakes game.
While Fried is confirmed to start Friday, the Braves have yet to announce their rotation for the final stretch of the season. However, with both Fried and Sale involved in the planning, Atlanta is positioning itself for a strong finish, knowing they have their ace in Sale prepared for a do-or-die scenario.
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