Atlanta Braves fans have had a tumultuous 24 hours. Failing to secure a win against the Royals on Sunday created a tense situation, especially with a doubleheader against the Mets looming on Monday. That tension quickly escalated as the Braves squandered multiple leads and a strong performance from Spencer Schwellenbach, putting them on the edge of playoff elimination.
The team’s biggest hope was the option of Chris Sale, who could step in if they faced elimination. However, just minutes before Game 162, Sale was scratched due to back spasms, leaving Atlanta in a precarious position.
Chris Sale was scratched just before the most critical game of the Braves’ 2024 season.
There’s no way to downplay this: the loss of Chris Sale is a significant setback for the Braves’ playoff hopes. While the Mets may not be at full strength during the second half of the doubleheader, they will still relish the chance to eliminate Atlanta, which now relies on Grant Holmes and the bullpen for one of the most crucial games in recent memory.
Concerns about Sale’s health had surfaced after his last outing, where his velocity was noticeably down. Both the Braves and Sale had assured everyone that he was fit to pitch. Unfortunately, his age and injury history have struck at the worst possible moment for Atlanta, casting doubt on their playoff prospects. It now seems clear that his back issues were a concern even before last night.
There’s nothing more to be done at this point. If the Braves can pull off a win in Game 162 against all odds, they’ll head to the West Coast to face the Padres in the NL Wild Card round, possibly without Sale. If they don’t succeed, the Diamondbacks will claim a postseason spot, leaving the Braves on the sidelines for the first time since 2017.
