The Atlanta Braves needed a win in their final game of the regular season in order to reach the playoffs, but they were not able to send their ace to the mound.
The Braves and New York Mets played a doubleheader on Monday that had postseason implications for both teams. The two teams each needed to win a game in order to secure one of the final two NL Wild Card sports. New York won the first game in thrilling fashion, which meant Atlanta faced a must-win in the second game. The expectation was that Chris Sale would pitch in the season finale, but the Braves announced minutes before the game started that the left-hander had been scratched due to back spasms.
Sale began feeling discomfort in his back on Sunday night.
Chris Sale has been scratched with back spasms. Felt it last night
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 30, 2024
Sale has struggled with injuries over the past several seasons, but he has been nothing shy of dominant this year. The former Boston Red Sox ace is 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 29 starts, which is the most appearances he has made since 2017. Sale has 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings and is a lock to win the NL Cy Young Award.
If Atlanta prevails and secures the final NL Wild Card spot over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sale’s health could become the biggest story of the playoffs.
