The Braves introduced their roster for the Wild Card collection at the moment and it doesn’t embody left-hander Chris Sale. The membership goes with a fair break up of 13 pitchers and place gamers, the latter group together with two catchers, 5 infielders and 6 outfielders.
Sale had a wonderful bounceback season in 2024 and may very well be awarded a Cy Younger trophy in a couple of weeks, however the marketing campaign ended on a irritating be aware. He hasn’t taken the mound since September 19 in opposition to the Reds. In that outing, Sale’s velocity was down and he hasn’t pitched since. Up till yesterday, it appeared as if the membership was simply holding Sale to see in the event that they would want him for a do-or-die recreation, in any other case hoping to carry him again for the primary recreation of the Wild Card spherical.
Going into yesterday’s double-header, which was necessitated after two midweek video games between the Mets and Atlanta have been delayed by Hurricane Helene, each golf equipment wanted a victory to safe a playoff spot. Spencer Schwellenbach began Recreation 1, which the Mets went on to win 8-7. It was anticipated that Sale would take the ball for the second contest however the membership then introduced that Sale had been scratched with again spasms. The difficulty had flared up throughout that begin in opposition to the Reds and he stored hoping to have the ability to return to the mound but it surely didn’t enhance after which worsened on Sunday night time, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com (X hyperlinks).
Primarily based on Sale being left off the Wild Card roster, it may be assumed that the membership doesn’t anticipate him to be recreation prepared within the subsequent few days. As talked about, he’s having an excellent season and undoubtedly would have been part of their plans if he have been wholesome. He made 29 begins this 12 months with a 2.38 earned run common, 32.1% strikeout fee, 5.6% stroll fee and 44.8% floor ball fee.
With out Sale, the membership must get artistic to outlive in opposition to the Padres. Because of the aforementioned double-header state of affairs, they used quite a lot of arms yesterday. Schwellenbach began the primary recreation and Grant Holmes the second. Neither of these pitchers are on the roster both, which is smart since they in all probability wouldn’t be out there for a couple of days anyway.
Max Fried and Reynaldo López will doubtless begin recreation two and three respectively, as they’d be on regular relaxation for these contests following their final common season outings. Charlie Morton began on Sunday and won’t be out there early within the collection, although he’s on the roster.
For at the moment, the membership could also be trying to get some innings out of Bryce Elder or AJ Smith-Shawver. Neither has been an enormous a part of the membership’s efficiency of late however they could must step up whereas the bullpen is taxed and the membership can’t flip to Sale, Schwellenbach or Holmes. Elder posted a 6.52 ERA within the large leagues this 12 months whereas often being optioned to the minors. He had a strong 3.73 ERA in Triple-A this 12 months however hasn’t pitched for the massive league membership since August 6.
Smith-Shawver solely pitched as soon as within the majors this 12 months, a spot begin of 4 1/3 innings in Might. He has a 4.85 ERA in Triple-A on the 12 months, although he completed considerably sturdy with a 3.68 ERA over his final seven begins.
Along with Elder and Smith-Shawver, Atlanta’s playoff roster consists of Fried, Lopez, Morton, Aaron Bummer, Jesse Chavez, Daysbel Hernández, Raisel Iglesias, Luke Jackson, Joe Jiménez, Pierce Johnson and Dylan Lee. On the place participant aspect, they’ve catchers Sean Murphy and Travis d’Arnaud, infielders Ozzie Albies, Orlando Arcia, Whit Merrifield, Matt Olson and Gio Urshela, in addition to outfielders Michael Harris II, Jarred Kelenic, Ramón Laureano, Marcell Ozuna, Jorge Soler and Eli White.
