The Braves need Chris Sale to be effective in 2026.
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Espn MLB insider Jeff Passan recently published an article for ESPN where he provided outlooks for all 30 teams around MLB.
Espn MLB insider Jeff Passan recently published an article for ESPN where he provided outlooks for all 30 teams around MLB.
Now, when it came to the Atlanta Braves, he made a lot of similar points that have already been made by myself, by a lot of people who cover MLB media about the rotation.
Now, when it came to the Atlanta Braves, he made a lot of similar points that have already been made by myself, by a lot of people who cover MLB media about the rotation.
Just suggesting or just stating that, you know, the obvious injuries that have occurred with Herson Waldrep and Spencer Trollenbach and Joey Wentz.
Just suggesting or just stating that, you know, the obvious injuries that have occurred with Herson Waldrep and Spencer Trollenbach and Joey Wentz.
And, but the one point he made that really stood out to me was that he said the Atlanta Braves season hinges on Chris Sale’s performance.
And, but the one point he made that really stood out to me was that he said the Atlanta Braves season hinges on Chris Sale’s performance.
And to me, that’s kind of a challenge to Sale.
And to me, that’s kind of a challenge to Sale.
It’s incredible because he’s 36 years old and he’s kind of looked at as the guy who can kind of, you know, almost save the Braves season in all reality.
It’s incredible because he’s 36 years old and he’s kind of looked at as the guy who can kind of, you know, almost save the Braves season in all reality.
The Braves have a good offense.
The Braves have a good offense.
Will it perform up to expectations?
Will it perform up to expectations?
That remains to be seen.
That remains to be seen.
You know, will guys like Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley perform well?
You know, will guys like Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley perform well?
Will Ronald Acuna Jr. stay healthy?
Will Ronald Acuna Jr. stay healthy?
But if the offense is able to at least, you know, come close to meeting its expectations, it will perform well.
But if the offense is able to at least, you know, come close to meeting its expectations, it will perform well.
But the starting pitching depth now has a lot of uncertainty.
But the starting pitching depth now has a lot of uncertainty.
There’s no question about that.
There’s no question about that.
And, you know, I agree with Passon.
And, you know, I agree with Passon.
I think the Braves need Sale to pitch at a Cy Young, you know, a Cy Young caliber level.
I think the Braves need Sale to pitch at a Cy Young, you know, a Cy Young caliber level.
If he isn’t that guy, the rotations can have a lot of questions.
If he isn’t that guy, the rotations can have a lot of questions.
I mean, Spencer Strader could be a great pitcher, but he’s dealt with injuries and uncertainty in the past.
I mean, Spencer Strader could be a great pitcher, but he’s dealt with injuries and uncertainty in the past.
Ronaldo Lopez has dealt with injury, injury history, injury trouble.
Ronaldo Lopez has dealt with injury, injury history, injury trouble.
Grant Holmes has dealt with injury trouble.
Grant Holmes has dealt with injury trouble.
These are all guys who have dealt with injury trouble in the past and they’re either, they’re either not especially proven or they are proven but have maybe underperformed in recent years.
These are all guys who have dealt with injury trouble in the past and they’re either, they’re either not especially proven or they are proven but have maybe underperformed in recent years.
Sale’s the one guy who does have injury history as well, but he’s the one guy who’s been consistent.
Sale’s the one guy who does have injury history as well, but he’s the one guy who’s been consistent.
You know, he goes out over the past couple seasons and has looked great.
You know, he goes out over the past couple seasons and has looked great.
So if the Braves are going to compete this year, seriously compete, I’m not just saying like competing at 82, 83 wins for the last wildcard spot, but if they’re going to seriously compete, make a run at the division, make a deep postseason run, they will need Chris Sale to stay healthy, like that will need to happen.
So if the Braves are going to compete this year, seriously compete, I’m not just saying like competing at 82, 83 wins for the last wildcard spot, but if they’re going to seriously compete, make a run at the division, make a deep postseason run, they will need Chris Sale to stay healthy, like that will need to happen.
And I get that’s kind of out of his control.
And I get that’s kind of out of his control.
He’s going to do everything he can, but they will need Chris Sale, if he’s healthy, to perform at a Cy Young level.
He’s going to do everything he can, but they will need Chris Sale, if he’s healthy, to perform at a Cy Young level.
I think Passon’s right about that.
I think Passon’s right about that.
It’s something that I think I’ve definitely either said or hinted at.
It’s something that I think I’ve definitely either said or hinted at.
I think a lot of people have hinted at as well.
I think a lot of people have hinted at as well.
Passon came right out and said it, so credit to him.
Passon came right out and said it, so credit to him.
If Sale isn’t at that Cy Young level, then I don’t know how the Braves will perform.
If Sale isn’t at that Cy Young level, then I don’t know how the Braves will perform.
So we’ll see what happens, but yeah, Chris Sale needs to lead the way.
So we’ll see what happens, but yeah, Chris Sale needs to lead the way.
There’s no question.
There’s no question.