Chris Sale Scratched With Back Spasms, Grant Holmes To Start Game 2
3 days agoAtlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (back) has been scratched from Game 2 of the doubleheader against the division-rival New York Mets at Truist Park on Monday as the Braves attempt to punch their ticket to the postseason after losing a dramatic back-and-forth affair in Game 1. Right-handed rookie Grant Holmes will instead start the must-win contest in Game 2. It's a huge blow for the Braves as the 35-year-old Sale is a National League Cy Young front-runner this year. If the Braves do win Game 2 and advance to face the San Diego Padres in the wild-card round, starting on Tuesday at Petco Park, it's unknown if he'd be available at all to pitch in that series. The Braves are calling Sale's situation day-to-day for now. Holmes, 28, made his big-league debut in 2024 and has gone 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA (3.37 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 63 K's and 14 walks in 64 1/3 innings over 25 outings (six starts). Holmes had a 4.55 ERA and 1.35 WHIP as a starter.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman