As if the Atlanta Braves needed any more injuries this season, Chris Sale has been scratched due to back spasms for the must-win game 162. Sale, the likely National League Cy Young Award winner, started feeling back discomfort during the second inning of his last start against the Cincinnati Reds on September 19th. The Braves are turning to 28-year-old rookie Grant Holmes for game two of their doubleheader against the Mets.
Chris Sale and His Importance to the Braves’ Staff
The Atlanta Braves acquired Chris Sale in an offseason trade with the Boston Red Sox as a middle-of-the-rotation option. Sale quickly became the team’s number one starter after a hot start and ace Spencer Strider underwent early season Tommy John surgery. Sale won the National League pitching triple crown with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 strikeouts.
Going into the doubleheader, it was speculated the Braves would use Chris Sale in an emergent, must-win game two. After Atlanta blew two late-game leads to lose game one to the Mets, it was announced Sale was experiencing back spasms and would not pitch game two.
Final Thoughts
The loss of Chris Sale for the win-or-go-home game against the Mets is huge for the Braves. After losing game one of the doubleheaders in heartbreaking fashion, Atlanta now has to rally around Grant Holmes, who is making his seventh start of the season. If the Braves win, they will travel to San Diego to take on the Padres in the wild-card round. If they lose, Arizona will clinch the final playoff spot.
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