—
Source: Fox Sports
Summary
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said he avoided asking Chris Sale if he could pitch in relief after starting in the Wild Card Series opener. Sale voluntarily offered to pitch, recording four outs in the Braves’ 6-2 win over the Phillies. Weiss praised Sale’s work ethic and said the team hadn’t discussed his availability for a potential start in the NL Division Series. Tyler Mahle started Game 2 but suffered an abdominal pull. Ray Kerr pitched three scoreless innings, and Weiss credited the fans for motivating him. The Braves have dealt with multiple pitching injuries this season, including Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach.
Our Reading
The game followed a familiar script.
Chris Sale, already a starter, volunteered to pitch relief.
Walt Weiss didn’t have to ask.
Ray Kerr got the crowd behind him, and he delivered.
Braves’ pitching is a mess, but they keep finding someone to throw.
Author: Evan Null
Chris Sale’s Relievers’ Dilemma
Chris Sale, already a starter, was asked to pitch relief without being asked. He said yes. The Braves didn’t want to put him in a position where he’d feel obligated. But Sale didn’t need to be asked. He just showed up and did it. His four outs in the ninth inning sealed the win. It was the same story for the Braves all season. They didn’t have the pitching depth they wanted, but they found a way.
Walt Weiss and the Reliever Trap
Walt Weiss, the Braves’ manager, didn’t want to ask Chris Sale if he could pitch in relief. He knew Sale would say yes. So he didn’t. But Sale showed up anyway. That’s how it always goes. The Braves have a history of relying on their starters to do extra work. Sale, 37, has been doing it all year. He’s a warrior, Weiss said. But even warriors get tired.
Ray Kerr’s Crowd-Powered Performance
Ray Kerr didn’t have a great start, but he found a way to pitch three scoreless innings. He said the crowd helped him. That’s the thing about playoff baseball. The fans matter. They push the players. Kerr, a reliever, stepped up when the Braves needed him. He didn’t have the same name as Sale, but he got the job done. That’s what playoff baseball is about.
Braves’ Pitching Woes
The Braves’ pitching has been a mess all season. They lost Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach, and others to injury. They had to rely on guys like Tyler Mahle, who started Game 2 but had an abdominal pull. They also had to use Ray Kerr, who didn’t have a great game but still pitched well. The Braves didn’t have the rotation they wanted, but they found a way to make it work. That’s what playoff baseball is about.
The Road Ahead
The Braves are in the NL Division Series, but they’re not the favorites. They have to face the Dodgers, a team with a deep rotation. The Braves’ pitching is still a question mark. They have Chris Sale, but he’s not a starter anymore. They have Ray Kerr, but he’s not a closer. The Braves are relying on their depth, their hustle, and their fans. That’s what they’ve done all season. And it’s worked so far.
