Monday was a whirlwind day for the Atlanta Braves, and their heads haven't quite stopped spinning just yet.
After losing a marathon Game 1 of their doubleheader against the New York Mets, the Braves learned that Chris Sale, the heavy favorite to win National League Cy Young honors, would be unable to pitch Game 2 with the Braves needing a win to go to the playoffs.
Thankfully, the Braves still got the job done, advancing to play the San Diego Padres in the best-of-three Wild Card series. But they still had another gut punch to come later in the evening.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Sale, who led all Major League Baseball pitchers this year with 18 wins and a 2.38 ERA, is suffering from back spasms, and will not be available to pitch in the Padres series.
"Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters he does not expect National League Cy Young favorite Chris Sale, who was scratched today with back spasms, to pitch in their wild card series against San Diego," Passan said. "Massive loss for the Braves, whose rotation is now in flux."
Sale had not pitched since Sept. 19, when he appeared to feel initial discomfort. His velocity was down several miles per hour from his season average, and he lasted less than six innings for the first time since Aug. 7.
In Sale's absence, 28-year-old rookie Grant Holmes did an incredible job starting Game 2 on short notice, tossing four scoreless innings to help ensure the Braves advanced. But now, they'll likely turn to someone not even on Monday's roster to start their playoff opener.
MLB.com reporter Mark Bowman reported that Ian Anderson, A.J. Smith-Shawver, and Bryce Elder are the main candidates to take Monday's start. Anderson was excellent in prior postseasons, but has been stuck in the minor leagues all year, while Smith-Shawver and Elder have bounced between MLB and Triple-A in 2024.
It's a cruel twist of fate that Sale nearly lasted a full season for the first time since 2017, likely locking up his first career Cy Young in the process, only to go down when the Braves needed him the most. Atlanta will simply have to soldier on without him.
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