Chris Sale's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back) has been scratched from Game 2 of the doubleheader against the division-rival New York Mets at Truist Park on Monday as the Braves attempt to punch their ticket to the postseason after losing a dramatic back-and-forth affair in Game 1. Right-handed rookie Grant Holmes will instead start the must-win contest in Game 2. It's a huge blow for the Braves as the 35-year-old Sale is a National League Cy Young front-runner this year. If the Braves do win Game 2 and advance to face the San Diego Padres in the wild-card round, starting on Tuesday at Petco Park, it's unknown if he'd be available at all to pitch in that series. The Braves are calling Sale's situation day-to-day for now. Holmes, 28, made his big-league debut in 2024 and has gone 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA (3.37 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 63 K's and 14 walks in 64 1/3 innings over 25 outings (six starts). Holmes had a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP as a starter.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale will make his next start whenever the Braves are facing elimination. Left-hander Max Fried will start the series opener against the Kansas City Royals because he's more of a creature of habit who doesn't like too many extra days of rest. Right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder), who remains on the injured list, will be a wild card who could be used at any point between Saturday and the team's doubleheader against the division-rival New York Mets on Monday. Atlanta's final two games against the Mets were postponed on Wednesday and Thursday due to inclement weather. The 35-year-old Sale, who is a front-runner for the National League Cy Young award, could very well be held back until one of Monday's games. He's been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball in 2024 with a league-best 2.38 ERA and 225 K's in 29 starts.

After much speculation about whether the Atlanta Braves would have left-hander Chris Sale make two starts -- Tuesday and Sunday -- on regular rest in the final week of the regular season, manager Brian Snitker announced that Sale will start on Wednesday against the division-rival New York Mets on an extra day of rest. It's something Sale, the presumptive National League Cy Young winner, and the other Braves starters have done for most of the season. If Atlanta makes the postseason, Sale would be in line to start a wild-card series opener. The plan presumably rules Sale out of pitching in the season finale on Sunday against the Royals, because he'd be on short rest, something no Braves starter has done all year. Sale's fastball velocity was down 2.1 mph from his season average in his last start on Thursday against the Reds. Rookie Spencer Schwellenbach will start on Tuesday and Sunday in the final week.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale hit a season milestone in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Rockies, notching his 200th strikeout. Sale pitched seven innings, allowing six hits and no walks with nine strikeouts. The 35-year-old has stayed healthy, helping him compile a throwback season. He is now 16-3 with a 2.46 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 206 strikeouts in 26 starts and 160 2/3 IP. His strikeout skills have never been questioned, but Sale was last healthy enough to reach at least 200 strikeouts in 2019. His next start will be against the Blue Jays, who haven't hit particularly well overall but haven't struck out much.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale managed a quality start in Wednesday night's victory over the hosting Minnesota Twins at Target Field, striking out six batters in the win. Sale bolstered his Cy Young case with his 15th win as the Braves swept the Twins on Wednesday, most notably escaping a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning. The 35-year-old All-Star left-hander has arguably been the top pitcher in all of baseball this year, submitting a 2.58 ERA and 1.02 WHP with 197 punchouts and 34 walks across 153 2/3 frames.