Chris Sale’s availability has become the Braves’ central October decision as they prepare for Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
The 37-year-old left-hander closed out Atlanta’s Wild Card Series clincher against Philadelphia on Thursday, recording the final four outs after throwing 21 pitches over 1 1/3 innings. That relief assignment came two days after Sale delivered 95 pitches in the Braves’ Game 1 win over the Phillies.
Now the question is whether Atlanta will ask him to take the ball again Sunday night, with Game 2 scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and airing on FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX One.
Sale’s condition will drive the call
Manager Walt Weiss said the club will listen first to Sale when he reports to the ballpark. Sale told the Braves after Thursday’s appearance that he felt excellent, and Weiss said a similar report Sunday morning could put the veteran in play for the start.
“The deciding factor is always going to be how Chris is feeling,” Weiss said.
Sale left no doubt about his willingness after finishing the Wild Card round. Asked whether the relief outing would rule him out for Game 2, he said he would be ready even if called upon the next day.
The Braves also have the series scoreboard to consider. A Game 1 victory Saturday would give Atlanta more room to hold Sale for Tuesday’s Game 3. Should the Dodgers take the opener, the Braves could decide the urgency of a 0-1 deficit outweighs the concerns around Sale’s workload and turn to him Sunday.
Weiss stressed that Sale will pitch somewhere in the best-of-five matchup. Los Angeles cannot complete a sweep before a third game, and the Braves believe there is no major difference between using their ace in Game 2 or waiting until Game 3.
Regular rest has been rare this season
Even before Sale’s Thursday relief work, starting him Sunday would have been an unusual scheduling choice. He made only two starts this season on a normal rest pattern, and his latest such outing came April 6.
If Atlanta elects to save him for Game 3, Sale could still be available later in a winner-take-all Game 5, if the series reaches that point.
Atlanta’s alternatives for Game 2
Sale, Tyler Mahle, JR Ritchie and Grant Holmes are listed as the Braves’ conventional starters on the NLDS roster, but the options are narrowed by availability.
- Mahle is not eligible to pitch until Game 3.
- Holmes worked two innings out of the bullpen Thursday and could be considered for Game 2.
- Ritchie is unlikely to receive a start unless Atlanta runs out of more conventional choices.
That leaves Sale’s Sunday morning assessment carrying real weight. The Braves have their veteran ace ready to volunteer, but they must decide whether the sharper move is to deploy him immediately or preserve him for the middle of the series.
