The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are just hours away from a decisive Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series.
They are the only teams with a Game 3, as every other wild card series ended in a sweep. With both clubs on the brink of elimination, it will be a chess match between managers Walt Weiss and Don Mattingly as they fight to pull the right strings to keep their seasons alive.
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For the Braves, they are looking to avoid a third postseason exit in five years at the hands of the Phillies, who eliminated Atlanta in the NLDS in both 2022 and 2023.
Weiss had an unexpected message when speaking with reporters during pregame availability. He was asked whether left-handed ace Chris Sale would be available in any capacity for Atlanta. The Braves are going with Ray Kerr to start, with Grant Holmes expected to handle the bulk of the innings.
Weiss responded, “All hands on deck, you know. I don’t ever divulge who’s available, who’s not before a game. But yeah, it’s an elimination game, so we’ll see how these guys feel.”
That indicates Sale could appear out of the bullpen at any point despite pitching on just one day of rest.
Chris Sale is in Play for Game 3
Sale tossed a gem in Game 1, completing 6 and a third innings and striking out nine hitters. Three runs were charged to him, although part of that falls on the bullpen for not stranding the inherited baserunners.
Sale has historically been dominant against the Phillies as well, which places the pressure right back on Philadelphia. During Wednesday’s win, the Phillies got back into the game by tagging Braves left-handed reliever Dylan Lee. In a win-or-go-home Game 3, Weiss will likely turn to Sale instead, with tomorrow not promised.
Even on one day of rest, Sale’s potential availability places immediate pressure on Philadelphia to get on the board early. Getting to the Braves bullpen is no easy task, and it becomes even harder with Sale potentially waiting for the later innings.
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