Braves manager Walt Weiss took a ton of heat for sitting Chris Sale in Game 2 of the NL Division Series. Folks were “screaming” that Sale should have started that game to give the Braves a shot at using him again if the series went the distance. But hey, guess what? Weiss’s gamble on a bullpen game paid off HUGE, and now his ace left-hander is rested and ready for a critical Game 3.
Everyone Just Ate Crow, Hard
Seriously, the noise around Weiss’s decision to trot out Ray Kerr for a bullpen game in Game 2 was insane. People thought it was crazy, that he was blowing a chance to get Sale in early. But the man knew what he was doing. Sale, at 37, thrives on extra rest, and he’d already sealed the NL Wild Card Series win against the Phillies by throwing the final four outs as a reliever. That’s a high-leverage situation, right? So when the Braves pulled off a 3-2 win in Game 2, evening the best-of-five series at 1-1, Weiss was understandably “satisfied.” He called it “the best-case scenario that we could possibly have,” with a win in the bullpen game and a “fresh Chris Sale ready to go.” Even the Dodgers gave credit, with infielder Miguel Rojas saying, “They’re throwing the ball really well. They got guys with big arms, and they know how to use them.” Dave Roberts, the Dodgers manager, even noted how the Braves showed they’ll “use any pitcher, try to get every matchup possible.” This was a masterclass in managing a roster.
Full-Strength Sale vs. a World Series MVP? Yes, Please.
Now, the real fireworks begin. Chris Sale is slated to start Game 3, and he’s going up against none other than Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 2025 World Series MVP for the Dodgers. This isn’t just any pitching duel, though. Remember August 27? Sale absolutely dominated Yamamoto and the Dodgers, fanning 11 hitters in a 1-0 home shutout. That’s the kind of history that gets you hyped for a playoff rematch. Both guys had identical 14-9 records in the regular season, but Sale boasted a killer 2.16 ERA compared to Yamamoto’s 2.53. Sale even told Weiss he felt good enough to start Game 2, saying, “I felt confident in my ability to go out there and be able to perform at a high level… Again, this is a team game. This isn’t about me, this isn’t about one guy.” But Weiss made the strategic call. He said getting Sale in Game 2 and then Game 5 would have meant a “diminished Chris Sale twice.” He wanted “a full-strength Chris Sale, and that’s Game 3.” That decision is about to pay off in spades when Sale steps onto the mound for this pivotal Game 3.
This series is knotted up at 1-1, and Game 3 is where someone takes control. With a fully rested Chris Sale facing the 2025 World Series MVP, you know this one is going to be a battle. Get ready, because it’s going to be appointment viewing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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