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Chris Sale wanted the ball, but Braves said no. Now comes the payoff.

Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale pushed hard to start Game 2 of their NLDS against the Dodgers, even after pitching 24 relief innings just days earlier in the wild-card series. Despite his confidence and willingness to pitch on short rest—a rarity for him this season—manager Walt Weiss and GM Alex Anthopoulos opted against the plan, citing concerns over fatigue.

Instead, they preserved Sale for Game 3, where he’ll face World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto at Truist Park with full rest, a move Weiss called the 'best-case scenario.' The Braves now aim to leverage their bullpen’s recent success while deploying a fully rested Sale, who has a 2.13 ERA when given six days of rest. The strategy silences critics who questioned the team’s decision-making, as Weiss emphasized the mental toughness required in high-stakes moments.

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