Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss remained noncommittal on Chris Sale starting Game 2 of the NLDS following the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 5-3 win on Saturday.
The Braves used Sale twice during their three-game Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, having him start the first game of the series before a 1.1-inning relief performance in the clincher on Thursday.
This decision is crucial for the Braves, as Sale would give them the best chance of any of the pitchers in their beleaguered corps of starters to win a game. The veteran left-hander pitched twice against the Dodgers this season, logging 16 innings while allowing just two runs. He also threw a complete game shutout against the Dodgers in August—his first since 2019.
Sale added yet another fantastic season to his resume in 2026, making 27 starts over the course of the year with a 2.16 ERA—his best since 2018 and the third-best mark of his 16-year career. He struck out 200 batters on the year, marking the ninth time he had done so.
What Would Chris Sale Missing Game 2 Mean for the Dodgers?
If Sale gets another couple days of rest rather than starting Game 2, the Dodgers could earn themselves a huge advantage heading into the third and fourth games of the NLDS.
A win in Game 2 would give the Dodgers a 2-0 series lead heading back to Atlanta, where they struggled during the regular season, losing all three of their games there in August. Bringing a two-game lead into a hostile environment would make matters significantly easier heading into enemy territory.
The Dodgers aren’t guaranteed a win if Sale doesn’t start—nor are they guaranteed a loss if he does, for that matter—but avoiding one of the best pitchers in the National League in a crucial game would make a massive difference for LA.
Who Else Could Start for the Braves on Sunday?
If the Braves choose not to go with Sale on Sunday, they have a couple of options instead of the left-hander. The first is their Wild Card Series Game 2 starter Tyler Mahle.
Mahle joined the Braves at the trade deadline this season, and had a strong finish to the season through nine starts. He had a 1.99 ERA through 54.1 innings pitched in the regular season as a Brave, and continued to shove come the postseason. In his Wild Card series appearance, he allowed just one run through seven innings while striking out six batters.
The other option for the Braves is Grant Holmes, who has just two innings under his belt this postseason. Holmes made 31 appearances in the regular season, posting a career-best 3.44 ERA through 151.2 innings pitched—also a career high. He pitched against the Phillies on Thursday, allowing one run through his two innings of work.
The Braves are yet to announce their selection for their Game 2 starter, but will definitely do so by first pitch on Sunday, which comes at 5:00 p.m. PT.
