The Atlanta Braves entered October with a struggling rotation once again. While this wasn’t the primary reason for their quick exit, the starting pitchers certainly hindered Atlanta’s chances during the two-game sweep by San Diego.
This year, the notable absence was presumed NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale. The 35-year-old lefty had his healthiest and most productive season since 2017. Unfortunately, he faced a setback when back spasms sidelined him for the last two weeks of the regular season and the NL Wild Card round. However, we received some promising news about Sale yesterday, even though it will also be a blow to Braves fans.
According to Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos, Sale threw a side session and felt great afterward. Anthopoulos revealed that Sale would have been on the NLDS roster had the Braves advanced.
It’s tough to hear that the Braves were just two wins away from allowing Sale to pitch in the playoffs. On a positive note, it’s reassuring that he avoided any serious injury that could affect his offseason.
Sale attributed his strong start to having a normal offseason for the first time in years, and he maintained that momentum through September, achieving the first NL Triple Crown since Clayton Kershaw in 2011. It’s a relief that he won’t have to contend with an injury this offseason and can focus on the training that made him one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2024. Hopefully, next season, the Braves can enter October with a fully healthy rotation, enabling them to pursue a deep playoff run like the one fans experienced in 2021.