Braves Bet on Risky Pitching Plan to Make Playoffs

The Atlanta Braves seemed to have everything lined up perfectly for their series against the Mets, riding high off an impressive Game 1 victory. With Chris Sale and Max Fried penciled in for the next two games, the Braves looked poised to dominate the series and keep their wild card dreams alive.

Photo byAtlanta Braves

But, just as it seemed like the pieces were falling into place, Mother Nature had other ideas. Hurricane Helene decided to roll through the Atlanta area, disrupting the team's plans in a way that not even the best-laid strategies could have predicted.

Due to the storm, the series' last two games were postponed until Monday, setting the stage for a potential doubleheader on the eve of the National League Wild Card round. Now, for a team looking to clinch a spot in the postseason, having to possibly play two must-win games in a single day right before the playoffs is far from ideal. Suddenly, the Braves' picture-perfect scenario was tossed into chaos.

The Braves are now facing a whirlwind of decisions. Some hinge on how other teams perform, including the Mets and Diamondbacks, while others involve their own remaining series against the Kansas City Royals. The big question revolves around arranging their top arms to ensure they're in the best position for success. After all, every move from here on out could be the difference between a wild card spot and an early exit.

Fans were naturally on edge when the team's starters were listed as Fried, followed by two TBA placeholders, especially with Sale's recent dip in velocity fresh in everyone's mind. However, it looks like those fears may have been premature. The Braves seem to have a strategic plan to maximize the uncertainty surrounding Sale's exact role. By doing so, they may be keeping the Royals and the Mets on edge. The mere thought of Chris Sale looming as a potential starter is enough to give both teams pause.

But here's the twist: routine is king in baseball, particularly for starting pitchers. That's why Fried will get the start on Friday—he's locked into his regular rhythm. Sale, on the other hand, might be used as a secret weapon, deployed strategically whenever the Braves feel it will hurt the most for their opponents. Add to this mix the potential return of Reynaldo López, and you've got a scenario that could tilt in the Braves' favor.

Of course, there's always the risk of being too clever for your own good. If the Braves get overly experimental and fail to take advantage of a winnable game, especially by bypassing Sale in favor of less reliable options like Charlie Morton or Grant Holmes, the stakes for Monday's potential doubleheader would skyrocket. No team wants to gamble with their season on the line, but sometimes, taking a calculated risk is the only way forward.

As for when Sale might actually take the mound, that's where things get really tricky. Saturday seems like a possibility if the Braves lose Friday and the Mets and Diamondbacks both come out victorious. But Sunday or Monday feel like safer bets for a Sale start, depending on how the weekend shakes out.