Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss remained noncommittal on Chris Sale during the start of Game 2 of the NLDS following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 5-3 victory on Saturday.
The Braves used Sale twice during their three-game Wild Card series against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing him to start the first game of the series before a 1.1 inning relief performance in the deciding game on Thursday.
The move is crucial for the Braves, as Sale would give them the best chance of any pitcher in their beleaguered starting corps to win a game. The veteran left-hander pitched twice against the Dodgers this season, logging 16 innings while allowing just two runs. He also pitched a complete game shutout against the Dodgers in August, his first since 2019.
Sale added another fantastic season to his resume in 2026, making 27 starts on the year with a 2.16 ERA – his best since 2018 and the third-best mark of his 16-year career. He has struck out 200 batters this year, marking the ninth time he has done so.
What would Chris Sale Missing Game 2 mean for the Dodgers?
If Sale gets a few extra days off rather than starting Game 2, the Dodgers could gain a huge advantage heading into Games 3 and 4 of the NLDS.
A win in Game 2 would give the Dodgers a 2-0 series lead upon returning to Atlanta, where they struggled during the regular season, losing all three games there in August. Bringing a two-game lead into a hostile environment would make things much easier in enemy territory.
The Dodgers aren’t guaranteed a win if Sale doesn’t start — or a loss if he does, for that matter — but avoiding one of the National League’s best pitchers in a crucial game would make a huge difference for Los Angeles.
Who else could start for the Braves on Sunday?
If the Braves choose not to go with Sale on Sunday, they have several options at the left-hander spot. First up is their starter from Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, Tyler Mahle.
Mahle joined the Braves at the trade deadline this season and had a strong finish to the season with nine starts. He had a 1.99 ERA in 54.1 innings pitched in the regular season as a Brave, and continued to push in the postseason. In his appearance in the Wild Card Series, he allowed just one run in seven innings while striking out six batters.
The other option for the Braves is Grant Holmes, who only has two innings under his belt in the postseason. Holmes made 31 regular season appearances, posting a career-best 3.44 ERA in 151.2 innings pitched, also a career high. He pitched against the Phillies on Thursday, allowing one run in his two innings of work.
The Braves have not yet announced their selection for their Game 2 starter, but will certainly do so from the first pitch on Sunday, which will take place at 5:00 p.m. PT.
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